NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Despite the ongoing pandemic, Macy's still managed to put on its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade without a hitch.
With COVID-19 restrictions in place, including mask wearing and social distancing, the parade looked much different from past holidays. The biggest change being that the parade nixed its usual 2.5-mile route and didn't allow crowds on onlookers to attend the event.
Giant balloons still soared in the sky, but without their typical 80-100 handlers and the number of day-of participants was reduced by 88%, to remain in compliance with coronavirus restrictions.
While much of the event was pre-recorded over the last three days, there was still plenty to see live on Thursday.
Here's some highlights from the 2020 parade.
New York Life Float
A view of the New York Life float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha atop the Jennie-O float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Tom & Jerry Float
A view of the Tom & Jerry float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
NYPD Police Band
NYPD Police Band performs at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2020 in New York City.
Street Performers
Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Chrysler Building mascots line up to march in the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2020 in New York City.
Turkey Tech Clowns
Turkey tech clowns and Turkey character walk in the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2020 in New York City.
LEGO Float
A view of the LEGO float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Blue's Clues & You! Float + Ally Brooke
Ally Brooke performs on the Blue's Clues & You! float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald (wearing face shield) and Grimace wave from the McDonald's Big Red Shoe Car in the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
NYC Clowns
Festively-costumed clowns, including NYC taxicab and big apple, walk in the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2020 in New York City.
Entenmann's Float
A view of the Entenmann's float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Balloon Handlers
Balloon handlers walk in the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2020 in New York City.
Rocking Zoo Animals
A view of the Rocking Flamingo and Rocking Giraffe at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Baked Holiday Sweets Clowns
Half-baked holiday sweets clowns walk in the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2020 in New York City.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Float
A view of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Ally Brooke
Ally Brooke appears in front of the Entenmann's float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Lauren Alaina
Singer Lauren Alaina appears with the South Dakota float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Macy's Parade Kick-Off
A view of colored balloons at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
Macy's Star Balloons
Masked handlers wait to raise and fly large balloons at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Balloon Handlers In Masks
Masked handlers wait to raise and fly large balloons at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Olay's Float
Olay's "Her Future is STEM-sational" float and Boss Baby float lined up at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Kalahari Float
A view of the Kalahari float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Boss Baby
A view of the Boss Baby float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Al Roker
Al Roker and Butter Man appear at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Macy's Gold Star Balloon
A view of the Macy's star balloon on West 36th Street at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Red Titan
A view of the Red Titan balloon at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Macy's Performers
Performers prepare at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
Jennie-O Float
A view of the Jennie-O float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, 2020 in New York City.
The Rockettes
The Rockettes perform as Celebrity And Performance Groups Rehearse At Herald Square In Preparation For The 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2020 in New York City.
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon performs as Celebrity And Performance Groups Rehearse At Herald Square In Preparation For The 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2020 in New York City.
Black Thought
Brett Young
Brett Young appears with Green Giant float at the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2020 in New York City.
