Megan Hilty to Lead Dolly Parton Tribute at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The initial slate of performers—though not the Broadway show participants—has been announced for the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, set to take place beginning at 8:30AM on Thursday, November 26.

Float performers will include Megan Hilty, who will lead a tribute to Dolly Parton, as well as Leslie Odom Jr., Keke Palmer, Anthony Ramos, Indigo Girls, Queen Latifah, JoJo, and others. There will be special appearances by Janet McTeer and Melissa Joan Hart, and EAE, as well.

To mark this year’s 100th anniversary of the parade, Macy’s will introduce a float that has characters from the past and present, including Arthur, Bugs Bunny, Bullwinkle, Curious George, Jimmy Neutron, Popeye, the Pink Panther, and Scooby-Doo, among others. New balloons include Bluey and Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey.

Participating marching bands are Concord Community High School’s the Marching Minutemen (Elkhart, Indiana); Dobyns-Bennett High School Band (Kingsport, Tennessee); James F. Byrnes High School Band (Duncan, South Carolina); Nā Koa Aliʻi Aloha All-State Marching Band (Hawaii); Pearland High School’s Pride of Pearland Band (Pearland, Texas); University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band (Tuscaloosa, Alabama); University of Connecticut’s Pride of Connecticut Band (Storrs, Connecticut); University of Illinois Marching Illini (Champaign, Illinois); Macy’s Great American Marching Band (representing students from all 50 states); and NYPD Marching Band (New York, NY).

Additional talent, including Broadway performances, will be announced shortly.