Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade gets almost 28 million viewers becoming the most watched in last 5 years

Thursday’s 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade garnered nearly 28 million viewers, making it the most watched parade in the last five years.

The live telecast – which featured performances from Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul and Lea Michele among others –  was also NBC’s highest entertainment program in both demographics and total viewers for the year according to Deadline.

The parade was also Peacock’s most popular streaming event ever, doubling the numbers of the 2021 parade.

The event also boosted the shows that aired after, with the National Dog Show drawing 11.2 million viewers, including streaming. 

The celebrations continued with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which earned 3.4 million viewers – the most in the past three years. 

Meanwhile Late Night with Seth Meyers averaged 1.7 million viewers, also making it the most-watched Late Night in three years. 

High views: The live telecast – which featured performances from Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul and Lea Michele (pictured) among others – was also NBC’s highest entertainment program in both demographics and total viewers for the year according to Deadline

The Thanksgiving Day parade had some major star power on Thursday morning. 

Broadway singer Lea Michele, 36, kicked off the festivities with a performance of Don’t Rain on My Parade from her Broadway Show Funny Girl. 

Mariah Carey, 52, made her sparkling return to the parade after a seven-year absence. 

Helpful: The event also boosted the shows that aired after, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (pictured) which earned 3.4 million viewers – the most in the past three years

The songstress, who has branded herself the ‘Queen of Christmas’ was in her element as she performed All I Want For Christmas Is You to crowds in Manhattan, while clad in a red dress and sparkling tiara.

Mariah pulled off an elaborate festive performance surrounded by dancers in matching marching attire and her twins Moroccan and Monroe, 11 – which officially rang in the holiday season in New York and across the US.

Singer and American Idol alum Paula Abdul, 60, glowed in a metallic outfit as she lit up the festivities in New York City while on a float. 

Iconic: Along with the stars and the iconic balloons, the parade also featured 28 floats, 12 marching bands, and 700 clowns who made their way through on Thanksgiving Day

Along with the stars and the iconic balloons, the parade also featured 28 floats, 12 marching bands, and 700 clowns who made their way through on Thanksgiving Day.

The tradition dates back nearly a century, when Macy’s flagship Manhattan store put on its first holiday parade.

It was then called the Macy’s Christmas Parade.

It has always taken place on Thanksgiving morning and the first parade was in 1924.

History: The tradition dates back nearly a century, when Macy’s flagship Manhattan store put on its first holiday parade. It was then called the Macy’s Christmas Parade