With music, stars and giant balloons, as well as tens of thousands of cheering spectators on the side of the road, the traditional Thanksgiving parade took off through the streets of New York again today.

In bright sunshine, helium balloons in the form of Snoopy, Spongebob, a Smurf, Chase from "Paw Patrol" and a "Baby Shark" floated along Central Park and through the street canyons of Manhattan in Midtown at the spectacle.

The parade is accompanied every year by orchestras, many floats and a large police force. A total of around 6500 dancers, flag bearers, musicians and disguises took part this year, as well as stars such as Ziggy Marley, Joss Stone, Gloria Estefan and Jordin Sparks. Millions of people followed the spectacle on the side of the road or in front of the television. The parade, organized by the department store chain Macy's, took place for the 96th time. Thousands of people had already admired the traditional inflation of the balloons the night before.