Coverage on this live blog has ended.
What to know
- The 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City started 30 minutes earlier than normal.
- Missed a part of the telecast this morning? Don't worry. NBC will air it again at 2 p.m. ET. NBC and Peacock are owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.
- Al Roker, who missed last year’s parade for the first time in 27 years because of health issues, returned as co-host with fellow NBC's "TODAY" show anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.
- The festivities kicked off with Grammy- and Oscar-winning musician Jon Batiste. Pop icon Cher headlined the event.
- Pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the parade, prompting New York City police to make several arrests.
And that's a wrap
The 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has concluded.
If you missed any of the floats, Broadway performances and musical acts, there's some good news.
An encore presentation of the parade will air on NBC at 2 p.m. ET.
Santa Claus has arrived in town!
Santa Claus spread Christmas cheer to close out the 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
He made his jolly entrance on a reindeer-pulled sleigh with three merry elves alongside him. Also on the float was Mrs. Claus, played by Emmy-winning actor Sheryl Lee Ralph from "Abbott Elementary."
For the grand finale, white confetti snow descended in a flurry upon the parade, ringing in the season's holiday festivities.
The Radio City Rockettes return
The Rockettes are back with their high-kicking, highly synchronized dancing. They're performing an excerpt from the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which has returned to its home in NYC for the holiday season.
Cher performs new Christmas single
The one and only Cher took center stage at the parade to sing her new holiday single, "DJ Play a Christmas Song."
The song, released in October, is from her upcoming first Christmas album.
The "Believe" singer danced as she belted her tune to the raucous applause of parade viewers.
It’s a kid-centric affair
The Thanksgiving Day parade is a show for kids of all ages, with appearances so far from Baby Shark, Sesame Street, Greg from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” SpongeBob Squarepants and Baby Yoda.
Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, it’s hard not to smile watching New York transform for the holiday spectacle.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested during parade
NYPD officers arrest two pro-Palestinian protesters who crossed over the barrier during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City today.
Po from 'Kung Fu Panda' returns to the parade for first time in over a decade
Po, the goofy but courageous panda from Dreamworks Animation’s “Kung Fu Panda” films, returned to the parade for the first time in over a decade.
The lovable and cuddly Dragon Warrior has a new look this year, performing a flying kick while wearing a hat and flowing cape.
Beyoncé shares 'Renaissance' movie trailer
Beyoncé shared Thanksgiving greetings to parade viewers and a special look at the trailer for her upcoming concert film.
“Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. I’m so honored to share with you the first new look at the new ‘Renaissance’ film trailer,” the star said in a video message.
The preview showed behind-the-scenes moments of her wildly successful “Renaissance” tour that wrapped up earlier this year, and special moments like sharing the stage with her daughter Blue Ivy.
The movie hits theaters Dec. 1.
It wouldn't be a parade without musicals
What's a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade without musical acts?
So far, we've seen hit numbers from some of the best on Broadway, including “& Juliet,” “Shucked,” “Spamalot” and “How To Dance in Ohio.”
The most recent group to dance across 34th Street was Marty McFly and friends performing an excerpt from “Back to the Future: The Musical.”
We were treated to some fun commentary at the beginning of the parade from Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad, the comedy duo who returned to Broadway this year with "Gutenberg! The Musical!"
Several protesters arrested along parade route, NYPD says
Protests unfolded Thanksgiving morning at "various points" of the Macy's parade route, leading to several arrests, the New York City Police Department said.
It's not clear how many people were arrested or on what charges.
Police wouldn't comment on reports that protesters had glued their hands to 6th Avenue, which is along the parade route.
Police said that all protesters were cleared as of 11 a.m. and the parade route was not diverted.