Since its origin in 1924, the Macy's parade has marked the official start of the holiday season, introducing a cherished march of magic that has dazzled generations of fans. For the 90th edition, the famed spectacle will feature 16 giant character balloons; 27 novelty ornament balloons, balloonicles and trycaloons; 26 floats; 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers; more than 1,000 clowns; and 16 marching bands and performance groups.

People dressed as turkeys are prepared for the start of the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The football turkey is prepared for the start of the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Clowns pose for a photo before the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Protests near the start of the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The start of the parade as the Yellow Macy Stars with Charlie Brown move down Central Park West in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Sandra Lee blows a kiss to the photographer in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Big Bird rides on the 1-2-3 Sesame Street float during the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The Paddington balloon floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The 78-foot-long Red Ranger Morphin Power Ranger balloon is held down on Central Park West in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The Pikachu balloon floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Clowns are all smiles during the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The Hello Kitty balloon floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Spirit of America Cheer performance group cheer and try to pump crowds at the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Trixie the Dog balloon floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The Trolls balloon from Dreamworks animation floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Felix the Cat balloon floats down Central Park West in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The Harold the Policeman balloon floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The Harold the Fireman balloon floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The Dino balloon floats in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The Na Koa Ali'i Hawai'i All-State Marching Band bring some color to the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
People in an apartment on Central Park West watch the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Eruptor returns to the parade for his third flight, in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. Literally a force of nature, Skylanders’ Eruptor will fly high, delighting fans of all ages. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The Happy Dragon balloon floats down Central Park West in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Angry Bird Red heads into Columbus Circle in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Scrat, the rambunctious star of the Ice Age franchise, heads across Central Park South in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Brett Eldredge participates in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The Greendale High School Marching Band performs outside Radio City Music Hall in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Tap Dancing Christmas Trees perform for the crowd in front of Radio City Music Hall in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) SpongeBob SquarePants enjoys a view of 6th Ave. in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Singer Sarah McLachlan is seen during the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The Elf on the Shelf balloon in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A performer waves to the crowd in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
The elves head down Sixth Avenue in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A performer waves to the crowd in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) One of the elves heads down Sixth Avenue in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Performers say hello to crowds in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Santa Claus waves to the crowd aboard the Santa Sleigh float in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The end of the parade as the Red Believe Macy Stars head down Sixth Avenue in the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Photos taken November 2016 using a Canon EOS-1D X DSLR and EOS-1D Mark IV DSLR with a EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom lens.