In honor of the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade being right around the corner, Newsweek has rounded up the most iconic celebrity appearances from over the years.
For decades, the New York City extravaganza has had families across the United States glued to their TV screens. Starting in 1924, the Thanksgiving tradition features a parade of floats, bands, balloons and famous faces walking along the streets of Manhattan, lasting about three hours.
These days, the parade has only grown, with viewers also treated to a variety of musical performances and festive fun. This year is the 98th edition and NBC said it will be the "largest yet."
As the event approaches its 100th year, here are some of its most iconic moments.
Kanye West Performing
The rapper made an appearance at the 2010 Macy's Parade on the "Big Apple" float. He sung the track "Lost In The World" from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Fire Fighters
The "Achy Breaky Heart" singer participated in the 75th annual parade on a float with the New York Fire Department. He also performed his song "We the People" during the event.
Steve Irwin Waving to Spectators
Before his death, the late Australian zookeeper and conservationist appeared in the 78th Annual Macy's Parade on Animal Planet's float "Amazing Creatures of the Wild" in 2004.
He was photographed waving to spectators, appearing alongside the cast of Animal Planet's reality television series Animal Cops and the Russian country band Bering Strait.
Bob Odenkirk Surprise
The actor, best known for his role as Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad and its spin-off series Better Call Saul, surprised people watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in 2023. He was spotted with a front-row seat to all the action—and yet, the NBC broadcast made no mention of the celebrity sighting.
In screenshots that circulated online, Odenkirk was seen sitting behind parade co-host Savannah Guthrie. People watching from home found it hilarious that he was in the crowd in the first place, with many questioning why no one acknowledged it.
Hilary Duff Performing "So Yesterday"
In 2003, the actor and singer performed her track "So Yesterday" while aboard the 50's themed American Classic Malt Shop float.
That year, the song charted in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, France and the United Kingdom. It debuted at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 before peaking at 42. The track also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales chart, making Duff the first non-American Idol artist to accomplish this in four months.
Diana Ross With Her Family
The legendary singer made a grand return to the parade in 2018 when she performed her rendition of "Wonderful Christmas Time." Her family accompanied her on the Hallmark Channel's "Heartwarming Holiday Countdown" float.
Ross first performed at the parade in 1979 when she sang her track "The Boss" while on the "Big Apple" float.
Kiss Alongside Cheerleaders
The rock band's only appearance was in 2014. Their flat had been repurposed from Yo Gabba Gabba's "There's a Party in my City!" They later made a surprise appearance as part of Spirit of America Cheer's routine, performing their track "Rock And Roll All Nite."
Former member Paul Stanley posted about the experience on X (formerly Twitter) in 2020. "We showed up at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade after being shown sketches of a HUGE float and told we would be surrounded by 100 baton twirlers in Kiss makeup. Instead we got an SUV with a U-Haul attached and two unimpressed escorts. HA! HA! HA! Look how happy we are!" he wrote, sharing a photo from the day.
We Showed Up At The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade After Being Shown Sketches Of A HUGE Float And Told We Would Be Surrounded By 100 Baton Twirlers In KISS Makeup. Instead We Got THIS!!! An SUV With A U-Haul Attached And Two Unimpressed Escorts. HA! HA! HA! Look How Happy We Are! pic.twitter.com/wbqnQgAiea
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) November 25, 2020Black Eyed Peas Throwback
In 2019, the musical group made its first parade appearance, performing their song "RITMO" without fellow band member, Fergie, in attendance.
After fans on social media noticed that Fergie was missing from the performance, Will.i.am addressed the concerns with a statement that read: "Fergie is family and will always be a Pea. She is focused on her solo album which we fully support."
Cher and Santa Claus
The "If I Could Turn Back Time" singer made her Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 2023.
To close out the show, Cher performed her new holiday song, "DJ Play a Christmas Song." The iconic singer was preparing to release a 25th-anniversary edition of her Grammy-winning album Believe and just dropped her first new album in five years, Christmas.
This served as a musical prelude to the parade's spectacular finale—the appearance of Santa Claus.
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