11 queer moments in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade history
| 11/28/24
It's one of America's favorite pasttimes!
CBS; NBC
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off in 1924 and is still going strong almost 100 years later.
In honor of one of America's favorite pastimes, Out put together a list of a few of our favorite (and gayest) performances. From show-stopping numbers from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, to Broadway numbers from Dear Evan Hansen and The Prom, every parade is inherently a little queer.
So why not put them all in one place for your enjoyment?
Scroll through to see our favorite performances.
Hairspray Live! (2016)
Out actor Garrett Clayton and icon Ariana Grande performed "You Can't Stop The Beat" at the 2016 Thanksgiving Day Parade to promote NBC's Hairspray Live!.
Wicked (2005)
We were changed for good after Wicked's Megan Hilty and Shoshana Bean performed "For Good" in 2005.
The Color Purple (2016)
Tony winner Cynthia Erivo performed the opening number of The Color Purple at the 2016 parade.
Aladdin (2023)
Michael James Scott (an out actor and Aladdin's longest-running Genie) and Michael Maliakel shine during a performance of "Prince Ali" from Broadway's Aladdin.
Dear Evan Hanson (2017)
Noah Galvin performed the moving number "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hanson in 2017.
Kinky Boots (2013)
What's gayer than Kinky Boots? Billy Porter, Stark Sands, and Annaleigh Ashford performed "Raise You Up/Just Be" at the parade in 2013.
The Prom (2018)
The cast of queer Broadway musical The Prom gave us "Time To Dance" in 2018.
Cher (2023)
Cher rang in the holiday season with "DJ Play a Christmas Song" in 2023.
SpongeBob The Musical (2017)
Animated gay icon alert! Wicked star Ethan Slater performed "Bikini Bottom Day" from SpongeBob The Musical in 2017.
Funny Girl (2022)
It's her moment! Glee star Lea Michele opened the 2022 parade with a dazzling rendition of "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Funny Girl.
Big Apple Corps Marching Band (2022)
The Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band dazzled at the 2022 Thanksgiving Day Parade, making LGBTQ+ history as marchers.
