Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: How to watch, what to expect...

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to New York City Thursday. The 99th annual event will feature performances from Wicked's Cynthia Erivo and country music star Lainey Wilson, and will be hosted by Today anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker. The parade will include 28 floats, 34 balloons, four balloonicles, marching bands, clowns and Santa Claus, NBC reports. Read on for more information about what to expect this year. How to Watch The 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC at 8:30 a.m. EST and then again at 2 p.m. EST. The show will also stream on Peacock. Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow will host the event in Spanish on Telemundo. Participants Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will host again this year. Erivo, who portrays Elphaba in Wicked and its sequel, will open with a performance. Wilson, who was named Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards last week, will sing outside the Midtown Macy's location. EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, who together sang the songs for KPop Demon Hunters' fictional band Huntr/x, are also slated to perform. Drew Baldridge, Matteo Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw, Meg Donnelly, Mr. Fantasy, Foreigner, Debbie Gibson, Mickey Guyton, Christopher Jackson, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Darlene Love, Roman Mejia, Taylor Momsen, Tiler Peck, the Radio City Rockettes, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith, Luisa Sonza and Teyana Taylor are among the other entertainers to participate in the 99th event. Nikki DeLoach, Ilia Malinin, Kristoffer Polaha, Jack Wallace and Sean Evans will also star, NBC says. Musical numbers from Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time and Ragtime will also be part of the festivities. New balloons this year include Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man and Shrek's Onion Carriage.