Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2013 route map, NBC TV schedule [start time]

The world-famous annual 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will kick off on Nov. 28, 2013.

For those who can't make it to New York City on Thanksgiving Day morning, the parade will be available to watch on NBC between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. A live stream will also be available to watch the parade online.

This year, over 3.5 million spectators are expected to flock to New York City to see the traditional parade, and over 50 million will be tuning in to watch from home.

NBC Today show's Matt Lauer Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie will host the 3-hour parade and celebration.

The 87th annual parade will kick off from 77th Street and Central Park West at 9 a.m. The route will continue down Central Park West to Columbus Circle before turning onto Central Park South and 6th Avenue. Marchers will be heading straight down onto 6th Avenue past 59th down to 34th Street until they reach the iconic Macy's Herald Square. View the map of the parade route below. (see detailed map below).

Around 8,000 participants will be taking part in dazzling floats, balloons, balloonicles, bands, clowns, and more as they march the famous 2.5 mile march through the streets of Manhattan.

This year's lineup of balloons include children's favorite characters: Hello Kitty, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Spider Man, Ronald McDonald, Pillsbury Doughboy, Pikachu, Buzz Lightyear, Smurf, Spongebob and more. Giant baseballs, stars, pumpkins, and candy canes will be among the novelty balloons.

Dozens of floats includes Santa's Sleigh, True Spirit of Thanksgiving, Winter Wonderland in Central Park, and more.

The line-up of performers and appearances for Macy's Thanksgiving Parade include Kellie Pickler, Ariana Grande, Austin Mahone, Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, Cher Lloyd, Gavin Degraw, Fifth Harmony, Fall Out Boy, Kristen Chinoweth, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line and America's popular Robertson Family from A&E's Duck Dynasty show!

This year's parade official and executive producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is Amy Kule.

Kule will be representing the Macy's family as she cuts the ribbon to the sound of Let's Have a Parade!

Grandstand tickets are not available for sale for the general public.

The Macy's Parade app can be downloaded for iOS devices here and Android devices here.