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8 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Performances You Don't Want To Miss

by Alana Romain

What better lead up to your impending turkey coma than watching the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV? The parade kicked off at 9 a.m. from 77th Street and Central Park West in New York City, and will finish right in front of Macy’s on 34th Street, which is also the stage where most of the performances will occur. Technically, the floats are the highlight of the parade — and, let’s be honest, they are pretty impressive — but this year’s show also includes over 30 musical performances, including some big names, as well as casts from six Broadway musicals including "Fiddler on the Roof," "Finding Neverland," "The King & I," "On Your Feet!," "Something Rotten!", and a special performance by Cirque du Soleil. Pretty sure that’s something for everyone, right?

The show will also feature a slew of celebrity appearances, lots of behind-the-scenes action, marching bands galore, and a preview of NBC’s upcoming show The Whiz Live. You can watch the three-hour broadcast on your local NBC station, hosted by Today anchors Matt Lauer, Al Roker, and Savannah Guthrie. Don’t have access to NBC on a TV? Fear not: you can livestream the event online at NBC.com, or watch the parade on EarthCam’s stream via their camera at Columbus Circle. How’s that for options?

But if that’s all a bit much for you, here are the performances you’ll probably want to keep an eye out for most:

Mariah Carey

Oh, Mimi. When is she ever not the right choice? There's no one like a diva to entertain a giant and diverse crowd.

Andy Grammer

Prepare to have whatever he's going to sing stuck in your head for the rest of your life. (But chances are it'll be his new single, "Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)."

Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten's "Fight Song" was a big break-out hit for the singer, so it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Jordin Sparks

One of our perennial American Idol faves.

Plain White T’s

"Hey There Delilah" may be the song we know these guys for, but they're actually on their seventh album. Should be good to see them play today.

Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes is pretty hot right now, thanks to his hit "Stitches" and his collab with Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello.

Train

Another band with lots of crowd-pleasing hits — but am I the only one hoping they'll still play "Drops of Jupiter" in all of its early '00s glory?

Panic! At The Disco

According to Twitter, these guys will be hitching a ride with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles during today's parade, which is clearly the best ride possible.

Images: Michael Loccisano, Angela Weiss, Ethan Miller, Stephen Lovekin, Daniel Boczarski, Mike Coppola, Tim Boyles, John Medina, Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Entertainment