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The 92nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held on November 22, 2018, in New York City and shown to viewers live on NBC that same day from 9 a.m. to noon EST. It was hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker. The lineup featured 16 giant helium character balloons, 26 floats, 43 novelty and heritage inflatables, more than 1,000 clowns, 12 marching bands, 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers, and the one-and-only Santa Claus.
Listed below are the Parade elements that appeared in the 2018 line of march. Each element is listed in their respective categories/sub-categories, with sponsors in bold.
Bold indicates a new Parade element, underline indicates an element that was brought back after an absence, strikethrough indicates an element that was removed from the lineup, and * indicates a Parade element that was retired after the 2018 procession.
19 degree temperatures were forecast for Thanksgiving, making this the coldest Thanksgiving in New York City since 1901. Of note, this is also the coldest Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to date.
Strong wind gusts reaching up to almost 30 mph were forecast for Thanksgiving alongside the 19 degree temperatures, which could have resulted in the balloons being grounded if the forecast went higher. Fortunately, the wind forecast stayed out, and the balloons were able to fly, though lower to the ground.
No child float escorts made an appearance along the Parade route (except the performers and special characters). They were only present at Herald Square, due to the frigid temperatures. The Baseball-All Stars, Artist Clowns and Slumber Party Clowns were also absent until 34th Street.
Initially, the Flying Fish balloon was planned to make an appearance in the 2018 Parade, though it was later cut from the lineup and replaced by Arrtle the Pirate.
Beginning this year, the balloons now have only one utility vehicle instead of two.
2018 marked the first time Hoda Kotb hosted the NBC broadcast, replacing Matt Lauer, who was fired by NBC just days after the previous Parade due to sexual misconduct allegations.
Celebrities featured in “Thanksgiving Messages” segments included Ellen DeGeneres (Ellen's Game of Games), Dwayne Johnson (The Titan Games), Mandy Moore (This Is Us), Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Blake Shelton (The Voice), Seth Meyers (Late Night with Seth Meyers), Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), Jennifer Lopez (World of Dance), Chrissy Metz (This Is Us), Kelly Clarkson (The Voice), Susan Kelechi Watson (This Is Us), Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), Melissa Roxburgh and Josh Dallas (Manifest), Justin Hartley (This Is Us),. Chris Sullivan (This Is Us), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us), Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal), Jennifer Hudson (The Voice), and Simon Cowell (AGT The Champions).
The Kit balloon, despite appearing on the official poster, does not appear in the actual parade. The same thing would occur the following year.
This is currently the most recent parade that only introduced one new giant helium balloon, as well as the first to do so since the 1992 parade.
Incidents & Defects[]
The Pilgrim Man balloonhead left the Parade at Central Park South after losing helium in its head, and the Pilgrim Woman was removed at 34th Street.
One of the Red "Believe" Stars did not make it to 34th Street, as a gust of wind blew it into the pillar of the Santa's Sleigh float, causing the side to be punctured.
A chamber inside the Pillsbury Doughboy Balloon had busted during preparation, leading to wrinkly balloon fabric around its mouth.
