Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Al Roker Returns & Cher Performs

Martin Holmes
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Al Roker and Cher at Macy's Parade
NBC/Today/Twitter

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The 2023 holiday season got underway with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade taking place in glorious New York City sunshine and with an estimated 3.5 million spectators lining the 2.5-mile route to take in the procession of floats, marching bands, giant balloons, and musical performances.

The Today show’s Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie led the NBC coverage of the parade, which began at West 77th Street and Central Park West and ended at Herald Square, home of Macy’s flagship store.

Savannah was joined by her son Charley, 6, and daughter Vale, 9, at the parade for the first time ever. It was Savannah’s 11th year of co-hosting the TV coverage.


What made this year’s parade extra special was the return of the Today show’s Al Roker, who had to miss last year’s festivities for the first time in 27 years due to a health scare. Indeed, the beloved weathercaster admitted recently that he almost died after being hospitalized with blood clots. But Al looked fit and well and seemed to be in good spirits as he chatted with folks attending the parade, including The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Roker said at the top of the broadcast. “I’m so happy to be with [Savannah], Hoda, and all you at home on this beautiful morning. It’s a perfect morning.”

“So Thankful @alroker is Back,” wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter), while another said, “It’s not Thanksgiving without
@alroker and the Macy’s Parade!”

“Welcome back Al Rocker! Your as clean as hospital carpet,” added another commenter.

“I’m happy that Al Rocker is back at the #MacysParade. The parade and the broadcast will not be the same without him,” wrote another.

The event kicked off with Grammy and Oscar-winning musician Jon Batiste, who was just one of many artists performing at the parade. Pop icon Cher headlined the day.Others at the events included En Vogue, ENHYPHEN, Jessie James Decker, Chicago, and Ashley Park with Sesame Street Muppets and Pentatonix.

Ensembles from several Broadway shows, including  & Juliet, Spamalot, Shucked, and Back to the Future: The Musical, also performed, along with the Radio City Rockettes.

Lacey Chabert was also on hand for her first Macy’s Parade, where she chatted with Roker about her 38th Hallmark film, Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up.

Viewers also spotted Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk in the front row, taking in all the festivities.

Roker also spoke on the phone with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Al; it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without you,” the President said. “We have to remind ourselves how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth. Today is about coming together and giving thanks to this country we call home.”

Of course, the floats, giant character balloons and marching bands were the true main event of the parade, which this year included four newcomers, a replica of Willy Wonka’s candy shop, a cityscape from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a 30-foot-tall gingerbread house, and a replica of an outdoor campsite (sponsored by Snoop Dogg and brand partner Solo Stove).

Giant balloons included Beagle Scout Snoopy, Uncle Dan, Blue Cat and Chugs, Kung Fu Panda’s Po, Monkey D. Luffy, The Pillsbury Doughboy, Leo, Bluey, Grogu, Smokey Bear, and many more.

Fans went crazy when Bel Biv DeVoe performed on a float with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Elsewhere, fans loved to see Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell as they arrived in a Good Burger delivery car to promote the upcoming movie sequel.

Also, music superstar Beyoncé shared a new trailer for Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé during the parade.

“Hey it’s Beyoncé, wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving, and I’m so honored to share with you the first look at the new Renaissance’ film trailer,” she said in the clip, which featured behind-the-scenes footage from the concert tour.

Jimmy Fallon gave a special performance with his Grammy-winning Tonight Show house band The Roots for a rendition of The Ramones’ “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight).”

Abbott Elementary‘s Sheryl Lee Ralph looked beautiful as Mrs. Claus, and there was a performance from The Rockettes, a long-held Thanksgiving Day tradition.

Cher was the big name attraction with a performance from her new Christmas album, which was released on October 20.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Al Roker

Cher

Hoda Kotb

Savannah Guthrie

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