Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to be virtual this year

Updated: Sep 14, 2020 / 01:01 PM CDT

FILE – In this Nov. 22, 2018 file photo, the Olaf balloon floats past Radio City Music Hall during the 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, will take place amid strong winds that could potentially ground the giant character balloons. The balloons have caused mishaps and injuries in the past when gusts blew them off course.(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

NEW YORK (NewsNation Now) — This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be virtual, on television and online, due to the coronavirus pandemic, announced New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Monday.

The mayor described the parade as “one of the most beloved events every year.”

Macy’s announced earlier this summer that it planned to “reimagine” the parade along the lines of its reworked production of Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks in New York City. The “television-only” experience will be “modified to safely bring magic to more than 50 million viewers nationwide on Thanksgiving Day” according to the release.

The #MacysParade is a New York City staple.

For decades we’ve celebrated the holiday season with viewers worldwide, and this year will be no different!

Working closely with @Macys, we’ve planned a safe and creative event worthy of this holiday tradition. pic.twitter.com/ap0Rm3cC4I
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) September 14, 2020

“It will not be the same parade we’re used to,” de Blasio said Monday during a news briefing. “It will be a different kind of event… but will be reinvented for this moment in history ”

Macy’s will announce more details later on Monday, the mayor said.