<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> External links </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Website </Td> </Tr> <P> The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the world's largest parade, is presented by the U.S. - based department store chain Macy's . The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second - oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit (with both parades being four years younger than Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade). The three - hour Macy's event is held in Manhattan starting at 9: 00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thanksgiving Day, and has been televised nationally on NBC since 1952 . Employees at Macy's department stores have the option of marching in the parade . </P> <P> In 1924, the annual Thanksgiving parade started in Newark, New Jersey by Louis Bamberger at the Bamberger's store was transferred to New York City by Macy's . In New York, the employees marched to Macy's flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes . There were floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo . At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square . At this first parade, Santa was enthroned on the Macy's balcony at the 34th Street store entrance, where he was then "crowned" "King of the Kiddies ." With an audience of over 250,000 people, the parade was such a success that Macy's declared it would become an annual event . </P>

When does the macys thanksgiving day parade begin