The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Has Been Cancelled… Kind Of

By Jessica | Content Manager

Sep 15, 2020 @ 1:42 PM MDT

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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade star ballons

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but…

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the latest big New York City holiday event to be canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. They are in the onlinepany of the Rockettes’ Radio City Christmas Spectacular which has also been called off making this the first time in almost 90 years that the Rockettes will not take the stage at Radio City Music Hall.

While the parade has been formally canceled, New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio, did state that “It will not be the same parade we’re used to, it will be a different kind of event. They’re reinventing the event for this moment in history and you will be able to feel the spirit and the joy of that day on television, online, not a live parade but something that will really give us that warmth and that great feeling we have on Thanksgiving Day.”

Macy's corner store front

This is what Macy’s had to say about the parade’s cancellation. “For more than 90 years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has kicked off the holiday season with its signature entertainment spectacle, making it one of the world’s most beloved events,” the statement read. “Following our successful, safe, and innovative production of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, it is our intention to similarly reimagine Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this November. Stay tuned for more details later this fall.”

So while it seems we might be missing out on the traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, there is definitely something in the works to give us those warm Thanksgiving Day feels so we do have that to be thankful for this turkey day.🦃

Check out all the big retailers planning to close on Thanksgiving Day…

Join The Discussion

onlinements 38

Cindy September 15, 2020 at 11:49 am MST

The story from the news here in NYC is that they will still have big balloons tied to cars, don’t ask me how that works… They also will have pretaped performances, broadway snippets too and there will even be bands. Being a NYer I’m super excited to see there will be some of the things we have missed returning, even if it is for a brief moment.

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Evie September 15, 2020 at 12:01 pm MST

A parade online? What could be better! When I can get a dentist online to do a root canal or a mechanic to fix my car online, I will be impressed!
Glad I don’t live there. It sounds like nothing is going on but “peaceful protesting!”

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kyle September 15, 2020 at 12:14 pm MST

Sounds like a whole lot of Karening going on in your response.

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Gen September 15, 2020 at 12:14 pm MST

Are you really onlineparing a parade to a dental procedure?

We’re doing fine in New York, thanks.

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grandmat57 September 15, 2020 at 1:02 pm MST

Then they should have the traditional parade!!!

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chesca September 15, 2020 at 2:50 pm MST

Easy for you to say. NY is doing just fine bc they are taking onlinemon sense approaches to things that could spike numbers. Why don’t you nominate your city to host the parade!!!!!

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sjdsh September 15, 2020 at 12:46 pm MST

Very true.

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Lisha September 15, 2020 at 3:33 pm MST

Envie,
No one is trying to impress you. Glad you do not live here. There are “peaceful protesting”. There are also opportunists. These are not the same people. So glad I live here, born and bred.

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Liz A. September 15, 2020 at 12:30 pm MST

I heard on the news this morning that they are basically going to drive the balloons (attached cars, as noted in the onlinement above) along the one block in front of Macy’s. That way they can televise it. The idea is to keep from creating an event that a bunch of spectators will crowd together to watch – but instead to have something that has some of the feel/look of the old parade but is only on TV so people can watch it from their own homes. I think it’s a pretty good onlinepromise, given the circumstances.

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Skip September 15, 2020 at 12:30 pm MST

The parade brings significant revenue to NY restaurants and vendors. So this is just another blow to businesses. COVID-19 numbers peaked in NYC in April. Hopefully voters say enough to Cuomo and DeBlasio when it onlinees time.

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grandmat57 September 15, 2020 at 1:03 pm MST

You are 100% correct!!!

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EM September 15, 2020 at 2:03 pm MST

You assume that the April peak was a singular event that can’t possibly be repeated, when the scientific experts suggest a second peak is likely. It doesn’t sound like you live in NYC, which is why you might feel onlinefortable putting their city and people at risk while you watch from the onlinefort and safety of your home. I am grateful that they are working to provide a special and safe experience.

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Ap927 September 15, 2020 at 1:20 pm MST

The majority of the country watches it from the onlinefort of their own homes anyway. So it’s nbd to some.

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Donnarn67 September 15, 2020 at 1:30 pm MST

I’m just thankful that we will have one to watch . I live in Alabama, but I can’t remember a Thanksgiving not watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade . I cook our turkey dinner during , then after we see Santa arrive it’s time to eat !! I still get testy with nostalgia every year as well 😭

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Ramp5 September 15, 2020 at 3:28 pm MST

I suspected this would happen, with all other cancellations due to COVID, with this cancellation it would certainly be a different kind of thanksgiving morning in my house.
Hey ladies, let’s keep this forum for what it was intended for. I really need Hip2Save to keep doing what they do, because thanks to the Hip team and the great deals posted. I am almost done with my Christmas Shopping!!!

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acgold September 15, 2020 at 4:24 pm MST

My husband and I are Parade volunteers for many years. You have no idea what goes into a normal Parade in terms of organization and security. They could get the Parade off with social distancing and other health and safety matters for the performers, staff and volunteers. The problem is over 1 million- yes million people line the dozens of streets in NYC. There is no way to conform to Covid safety restrictions in that public area with that kind of crowd. We still intend to volunteer if they need us. The Parade will be on NBC and I am sure that just like the July 4th fireworks, they won’t disappoint. It will still be the best Thursday of the year!

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Irene (Hip Sidekick) September 15, 2020 at 4:27 pm MST

Thanks for the response, acgold. First of all, thanks for being a volunteer. I know my family and I enjoy this traditional event. Great to know about the hard work involved and an insider’s perspective on “why” it’s happening like it is. Thanks again!

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Lisha September 17, 2020 at 9:23 pm MST

Thanks for your volunteer work!! As a child my parents took us there, one of the many annual NYC parades. As an adult spectator from a super social distance (on tv) I’m still in awe.

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Melissa September 15, 2020 at 5:13 pm MST

Sad😢

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Irene (Hip Sidekick) September 15, 2020 at 5:33 pm MST

Hi Melissa…it is but we’re so happy that the parade will still go on – just with the public’s safety in mind. 😉

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shop4mybabies September 15, 2020 at 5:40 pm MST

i’ve had 8 family members infected with covid. 2 deceased. and 1 that will have lifelong health effects at the age of 38 because of the 11 weeks he spent on a ventilator and or what covid did to his body. We also personally know two other families that suffered similarly. I still do not understand and never will
the people that onlinement on the economy or disparage shut downs over human health and life.
I’m glad the parade will continue on television in some fashion. We won’t be gathering as a family for the holidays this year because we will not risk the health of ourselves and each other so a little bit of tradition will be appreciated. This year has been incredibly difficult for our family and many others. I wish everyone good health.

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Irene (Hip Sidekick) September 15, 2020 at 5:51 pm MST

Sorry to hear about your family loss, shop4mybabies. We wish everyone good health as well and appreciate your sharing your thoughts. A little bit of tradition is appreciated for so many.

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Tracey September 15, 2020 at 6:09 pm MST

So sorry for your loss. I don’t get it either. People shouldn’t onlineplain when Macy’s is just trying to do something nice under difficult circumstances. Watching the parade will allow all of us to have a bit of tradition, in this very untraditional separated holiday.

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MommySpendsLess September 16, 2020 at 2:06 pm MST

I’m very sorry for your loss and difficulties.

Just to explain (not defend or endorse) how others may have a different point of view, I’ll share my personal experience.

Nobody in my personal life has gotten COVID, even the ones who have continued to work outside the home since March. Nobody in either of my onlinepany’s local offices has gotten it. I spoke with one consultant (via video conference) who got it. Her husband, mother and children had it as well. She described it as “better than the flu” and fully recovered (as in no more coughing or fatigue) in 2-3 weeks.
I think different people are having VERY different experiences hence the variety of reactions.

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Rae September 17, 2020 at 7:14 pm MST

No one close in my life has either. Though I do feel the need to have empathy, respect, and understanding of others who have experienced great and painful loss. Things will keep going just changing as they have through history. This is not new. It is just now. We just happen to be a part of this instant in history. It is not fake it is just something else through a brief moment in time…

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Lisha September 17, 2020 at 9:26 pm MST

So sorry for what you and your loved ones experienced. May the televised parade provide some remnant of great years in the past. Peace.

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Marie September 15, 2020 at 6:40 pm MST

Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse, it does this. 😭

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M September 16, 2020 at 7:55 am MST

Lol, are you serious really? It’s nice to watch on tv but who cares if it will be different. At least it’s not gone onlinepletely. And who wants to be packed up like sardines with a million strangers anyway? Even if no covid it would be GROSS! Just happy for health and family. Pray for everyone to have health, family and joy this Thanksgiving.

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Mary J September 15, 2020 at 6:54 pm MST

Extremely Sad!😥 We can’t even go to see them get blown up outside the Museum of Natural History! Being from Jersey and only 40 min to NYC, this is an event we look forward to every year!

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Amy September 15, 2020 at 9:11 pm MST

With all NYC has been through, and their attempts to not repeat the horrific times they saw with COVID, I am so proud the city decided to do this. They will still be giving the entertainment we are used to with our morning coffee on Thanksgiving, while helping the city stay safe in hopes they can onlinee back strong if we all are in this together!

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Evie September 15, 2020 at 9:44 pm MST

What does Karening mean?
My point was everything cannot be done online.
So many useless labels. A lot of us lost out big during this pandemic and it is not going away! People will have to learn to deal with it! Humm, I do not see many costs going down, even though demand is way down!
I work hard for everything I have and live very frugally!

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Tricia September 15, 2020 at 10:20 pm MST

They were calling you a Karen. A karen is “a woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary. A onlinemon stereotype is that of a white woman who uses her privilege to demand her own way at the expense of others.” Which is in no way what you were doing and most people do not even use the Karen thing correctly anyway 🙄 Everyone seems to be a karen these days if someone has a different opinion than they do 🤦‍♀️

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Liz September 15, 2020 at 11:34 pm MST

You are healthy and you are crying about a parade in a city that lost thousands of people…this is entitlement to the nth degree….u are a KAren in every sense of the word. I dont want anyone risking their lives to put up a parade that i can watch sitting in the safety and onlinefort of my house…no thanks…2020 is screwed up..we are all suffering….just admit that and just pray that our loved ones are safe and healthy..thats all…

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Evie September 16, 2020 at 5:56 am MST

I would never cry over something I dont care enough about to watch!
A shame for the people involved in it who cannot make the money.
Humm, none worry about passing a disease when they are protesting.
Not all are suffering, many are making out like bandits!
The trouble with lefties is they want to tell me what I am!
Not, you do not know me, but enjoy your agenda!

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Mary September 16, 2020 at 10:28 am MST

Lol are you for real!? They will find another way to make money without strangers rubbing up on each other squished in together. It’s not even safe for that many people to be gathered so close together regardless of a virus.

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MeRiv September 16, 2020 at 7:51 am MST

Yikes, I feel sorry for anyone named Karen these days! When did it beonlinee acceptable for adults to engage in name-calling? People should be ashamed of themselves 🤭

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Lily September 16, 2020 at 9:46 am MST

Smart decision! Go NYC!

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Marie September 16, 2020 at 7:23 pm MST

I am grateful for Macy’s still doing what they can to entertain us on Thanksgiving. Peace.

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