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November 27, 2024 at 4:05pm EST
Each year, people flock to the streets of New York City or crowd around the TV from the coziness of home to watch one of the most highly anticipated events of the year: the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. With all the celebrities who have been in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, we’re excited for another star-studded year — and the 2024 lineup doesn’t disappoint.
Coming up in this year’s parade, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will join Grammy-winner Kylie Minogue, Billy Porter and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo.
Of course, with past performers like John Legend, Ariana Grande, and Whoopi Goldberg, our expectations are pretty high already. But since its inception in 1924, this parade has never missed.
So, while you’re waiting for this year’s show, we invite you to sit back, relax, and look through these photos of all the celebs who have been in the Thanksgiving Day parade over the years.
A version of this article was published in November 2017.
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Cher
Image Credit: Cara Howe/NBC via Getty Images
The always iconic Cher closed out the 2023 parade with a new release at the time, “DJ Play a Christmas Song.”
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Ashley Park
Image Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images
Emily in Paris star Ashley Park made her Thanksgiving Day Parade return in 2023 after previous appearing as Gretchen Winters alongside her Mean Girls co-stars during her run on Broadway in 2018.
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Gloria & Emilio Estefan
Image Credit: GC Images
Longtime married couple Gloria & Emilio Estefan attended the 2022 parade. These two really prove that love is real!
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Flula Borg, Adam DeVine & Sarah Hyland
Image Credit: GC Images
Flula Borg, Adam DeVine and Sarah Hyland looked like they were having a blast at the 2022 parade. The three star in Peacock’s new show Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin.
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Jordin Sparks
Image Credit: GC Images
Singer Jordin Sparks also made an appearance in the 2022 parade looking so cute in this blue jacket-dress look.
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Joss Stone
Image Credit: GC Images
Joss Stone looked like an ice queen in this cream-colored dress with feathers in the bottom and a coat on top with fur details. So stunning!
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Mario & Gia Lopez
Image Credit: Gotham/GC Images
Who said the parade isn’t “Bring your daughter to work day”? TV host Mario Lopez made the parade a family affair by bringing his 11-year-old daughter Gia.
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Paula Abdul
Image Credit: Photo by Gotham/GC Images
Singer Paula Abdul looked stunning in this gold puffer jacket as she waved to fans in the 2022 Parade. The star performed 1988 single “Straight Up” at the Jennie-O Big Turkey Spectacular Float.
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Tori Kelly
Image Credit: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA.
Tori Kelly made her Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 2020 and was “geeking out” the entire time.
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Dolly Parton
Image Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire URN:56850441.
Dolly Parton has appeared in the 1975, 2007, and most recently, the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to perform the classic song “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
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Rita Ora
Image Credit: Nancy Rivera/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images
Rita Ora stunned during her 2018 performance.
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John Legend
Image Credit: Gotham/FilmMagic via Getty Images
John Legend responded to lip-syncing allegations after his 2018 performance, tweeting: “We all have to lip sync on this parade because the floats don’t have the capacity to handle the sound requirements for a live performance. Hope y’all enjoyed it anyway. Know that if you come to my shows, the vocals are 100% live!”
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Diana Ross
Image Credit: Gotham/FilmMagic via Getty Images
Diana Ross’s 2018 appearance was a family affair as she was joined by her kids Tracee Ellis-Ross, Rhonda Ross, Chudney Ross, Ross Naess and Evan Ross.
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Ashley Tisdale
Image Credit: ECP/GC Images via Getty Images
How sweet does High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale look in 2018 while waving to crowds?
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Wyclef Jean
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
Wyclef Jean performed “What Happened to Love” on the NHL Thanksgiving Showdown float in 2017. The snappy tune was enhanced by the players dancing around the float with their hockey sticks.
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Bebe Rexha
Image Credit: Noam Galai/WireImage/Getty Images.
Bebe Rexha sang “Meant to Be” as a solo at the Macy’s Day Parade in 2017. Normally, the song features Florida Georgia Line, but she handled the parade duties alone that year.
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Jimmy Fallon
Image Credit: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Jimmy Fallon and the Roots decided to cover a Prince song at the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. However, Fallon singing “Let’s Go Crazy” left some Prince fans less than amused by the tribute.
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Jimmy Fallon
Image Credit: Gotham/GC Images
Jimmy Fallon made another appearance at the Macy’s celebration in 2022! The TV show host walked the parade in this christmas pumpkin sweater as well performed his new song with Dolly Parton “Almost Too Early for Christmas.”
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Andy Grammer
Image Credit: Noam Galai/WireImage/Getty Images.
Andy Grammer is a Macy’s parade favorite! He first appeared in 2015 and then returned in 2017 to sing “Smoke Clears.”
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Leslie Odom Jr.
Image Credit: Mark Sagliocco/WireImage/Getty Images.
How do you follow up a Tony Award win for Hamilton? Leslie Odom Jr. performed with Abby Cadabby, Elmo, Big Bird and Grover at the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Flo Rida
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
Flo Rida returned to the parade in 2017 after singing a duet with StayC Reign in 2012. Flo Rida went solo the second time around and sang “Hola” while riding the Krazy Glue float.
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Kat Graham
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
Kat Graham proved she truly is the right fit to play the iconic April O’Neil on the Nickelodeon reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As the first Black actor to play the role, she also had the honor to sing “Magic” in the parade in 2017.
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Olivia Holt
Image Credit: Mark Sagliocco/WireImage/Getty Images.
Olivia Holt got everyone into the Christmas spirit with her single “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” at the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float featured dancing ornaments and presents to bring that holiday cheer to life.
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Ariana Grande
Image Credit: WENN.
Ariana Grande did her best to stay warm during the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where she performed the song “Last Christmas.”
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Brett Eldredge
Image Credit: Mark Sagliocco/FilmMagic via Getty Images
Looking dapper at the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, country crooner Brett Eldredge belted out the holiday classic “Let It Snow.”
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Carly Rae Jepsen
Image Credit: Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images
Carly Rae Jepsen rocked the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2012 by performing her hit single “This Kiss.” Bonus? The singer made fighting off the frigid air look stylish in a chic eclectic ensemble.
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Gene Simmons
Image Credit: Bobby Bank/WireImage via Getty Images
It’s not a real party until Gene Simmons sticks his tongue out! The rocker and the rest of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Kiss drove the crowd crazy performing their classic “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
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Grace VanderWaal
Image Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images
America’s Got Talent winner Grace VanderWaal rode atop the Goldieblox float in 2016 while strumming her trademark ukelele and singing “I Don’t Know My Name.”
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Idina Menzel
Image Credit: James Devaney/Getty Images
Idina Menzel, the voice of Frozen’s Elsa, did her best not to, you know, freeze during her rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” from her album Holiday Wishes.
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Jennette McCurdy
Image Credit: Bobby Bank/WireImage via Getty Images
Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy cruised along on the Goldfish float for her first parade appearance in 2012.
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Debby Ryan
Image Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images
Disney star Debby Ryan told MTV of riding on a float in the parade, “It’s crazy and surreal and definitely one of those bucket-list moments.”
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Jennifer Nettles
Image Credit: Bobby Bank/WireImage via Getty Images
Country superstar Jennifer Nettles couldn’t have picked a better song to perform during the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. While riding the Domino’s Sugar float, she belted out her hit single “Sugar.” Cute!
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Image Credit: Michael Stewart/WireImage via Getty Images
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar marched in the festivities at the 85th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Mariah Carey
Image Credit: Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Although Mariah Carey looked like the Queen of Christmas at the parade in 2015, fans had a fit after she reportedly lip-synced her way through the OG version of her holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
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Kelsea Ballerini
Image Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images
Country darling Kelsea Ballerini dazzled at the parade in 2016, where she delivered a stunning performance of her smash hit “Peter Pan.”
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Kristin Chenoweth
Image Credit: Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images
Petite powerhouse Kristin Chenoweth is an endless source of entertainment, as evidenced by her super-spirited performance of “New York, New York” at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2013.
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Meghan Trainor
Image Credit: Michael Stewart/Getty Images
Pop princess Meghan Trainor didn’t disappoint at the parade in 2014 with a fun and feisty rendition of her hit single “Lips Are Moving.”
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Tony Bennett
Image Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images
The late and great Tony Bennett teamed up with Miss Piggy in 2016 for a performance of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
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Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: Ray Tamarra/FilmMagic via Getty Images
Whoopi Goldberg took a break from her cohosting duties at The View to partake of this classic holiday celebration by greeting parade-goers from atop a festive float.
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Zendaya
Image Credit: Michael Stewart/WireImage via Getty Images
Zendaya made herself at home on the Build-a-Bear float, where she introduced her single “Dig Down Deeper.”
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