Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Mariah Carey opens for Santa

Holiday icon Mariah Carey is looking forward to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where she will fulfill a ‘childhood dream’.

The “All I Want For Christmas Is You” singer will open for Santa’s appearance at the annual parade on November 24. Macy’s announced on social media on Friday.

“My childhood dream come true!” Carey wrote on Instagram. “I’ll be opening at this year’s @macys Thanksgiving Day Parade for the one and only, SANTA CLAUS! Tune in @NBC on Thanksgiving Day!”

This year’s parade – the 96th annual – will air on NBC and Peacock beginning at 9:00 am Eastern time, with a televised encore airing at 2:00 pm

The Macy’s parade was a traditional way to kick off the Christmas season. Spectators often stand a half-dozen deep along the New York route to cheer on the protesters, floats, entertainers and marching bands.

Highlights of this year’s parade include a giant “Bluey” balloon, Lea Michele and the Broadway cast of “Funny Girl” and the legendary Dionne Warwick. According to an announcement in early November, viewers will see 16 giant balloons with characters, 28 floats, 40 new and traditional bouncy castles, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups and, of course, Santa Claus.

MORE: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade reveals full lineup for 2022

In addition to Funny Girl, Broadway will be represented by the casts of A Beautiful Noise, Some Like It Hot and The Lion King, which celebrates its 25th anniversary on Broadway. The Radio City Rockettes will also march. This will be Warwick’s third save; She also performed in 1967 and 1984.

Recurring giant balloons include Ada Twist, Scientist, The Boss Baby, Chase from Paw Patrol, The Pillsbury Doughboy, Red Titan from Ryan’s World, Ronald McDonald, Papa Smurf from The Smurfs, SpongeBob Square Pants”. ‘ and Pikachu and Eevee.