Cynthia Erivois about to change your Thanksgiving morning for good.
The Tony-winning "Wicked" star has been tapped to open this year'sMacy's Thanksgiving Day Paradeon Thursday, Nov. 27, USA TODAY can exclusively reveal.
Erivo will deliver an opening number to kick off the event in New York City, which is airing on NBC and Peacock one week after the release of the highly anticipated musical sequel "Wicked: For Good."
The previously announced lineup of performers for the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade includesEJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, who provide the singing voices forHUNTR/Xfrom the wildly popular Netflix musical "KPop Demon Hunters." Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Christopher Jackson, Ciara, Jewel, Kool & the Gang, Lil Jon and more artists are also slated to perform, and the Radio City Rockettes will celebrate their 100th anniversary.
This year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature 34 balloons, 28 floats and 11 marching bands, according to organizers.Savannah Guthrie,Hoda KotbandAl Rokerare hosting the NBC telecast.
Cynthia Erivohad a 'witchy' way to get in character for 'Wicked: For Good'
Erivo previously made an appearanceduring last year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where she chatted about the release of the first "Wicked" movie andgave her approval for audiencesto sing while watching it in theaters. She also gave a bouquet of flowers to Kotb ahead of the broadcaster's departure from the "Today" show.
Erivo's parade performance will cap a big month for the award-winning star of stage and screen, who reprises her Oscar-nominated role of Elphaba in "Wicked: For Good" and is out with a new book, "Simply More," on Nov. 18. She also performed songs from "Wicked" alongside her costarAriana Grandein an NBC special, "Wicked: One Wonderful Night," that aired Nov. 6.
Thank goodness: The wait for "Wicked: For Good" is nearly over. The press tour for the highly anticipated musical sequel is officially underway after kicking off with stars Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey stepping out on the red carpet in Brazil on Nov. 4. Ariana Grande missed the Brazil premiere due to flight issues but caught up with the group in London for the Nov. 10 red carpet. "Wicked: For Good" sees Erivo and Grande reprise their Oscar-nominated roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, in an adaptation of the second half of the Broadway musical. New cast members for the follow-up include Colman Domingo as the voice of the Cowardly Lion.
As the cast brings the magic of Oz around the world, scroll through for the best photos from the "Wicked: For Good" red carpets so far, starting with Erivo and Grande at Cineworld London Leicester Square on Nov. 10, 2025, in London." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Ariana Grande attends the "Wicked: For Good" premiere at Universal Studio Singapore on Nov. 13, 2025, in Singapore. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cynthia Erivo " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michelle Yeoh " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jeff Goldblum " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Michelle Yeoh, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum and Jon M. Chu" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ariana Grande attends the "Wicked: For Good" premiere at Cineworld London Leicester Square on Nov. 10, 2025, in London." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cynthia Erivo " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ariana Grande " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Cynthia Erivo, Jon M. Chu and Ariana Grande " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ariana Grande " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cynthia Erivo" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jonathan Bailey " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jeff Goldblum" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michelle Yeoh " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Marissa Bode " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ethan Slater" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Frankie Grande" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paul Tazewell " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 'Wicked: For Good' premieres see Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, more stars stun
Thank goodness: The wait for "Wicked: For Good" is nearly over. The press tour for the highly anticipated musical sequel is officially underway after kicking off with stars Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey stepping out on the red carpet in Brazil on Nov. 4. Ariana Grande missed the Brazil premiere due to flight issues but caught up with the group in London for the Nov. 10 red carpet."Wicked: For Good" sees Erivo and Grande reprise their Oscar-nominated roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, in an adaptation of the second half of the Broadway musical. New cast members for the follow-up include Colman Domingo as the voice of the Cowardly Lion.As the cast brings the magic of Oz around the world, scroll through for the best photos from the "Wicked: For Good" red carpets so far, starting with Erivo and Grande at Cineworld London Leicester Square on Nov. 10, 2025, in London.
When is the Thanksgiving Day Parade?Performers, how to watch, more
In arecent interview for her book "Simply More,"Erivo spoke with USA TODAY about her self-care routines amid her busy "Wicked: For Good" press tour.
"What I didn't do the last time was plan lymphatic massages," she said. "They help to remove any toxins and any water retention within the body, but it also just makes me feel really good. It really helps me reconnect. So I've tried to plot (those massages) at every stop that I'm going to."
How to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on Thursday, Nov. 27, on NBC from 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones. An encore will follow on NBC at 2 p.m. ET/PT, and the parade will also stream on Peacock.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Patrick Ryan
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade performances to open with Cynthia Erivo