Macy’s Thanksgiving parade gets underway in NYC as Al Roker returns to host and 25 balloons float down Manhattan to delight over 3 million people on the streets – with superstar Cher set to ring in the holiday season

New York City came alive Thursday morning as the 97th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade returned to the streets of Manhattan.

More than three dozen floats, 25 giant balloons and 18 star performers – including Jon Baptiste and Cher – will take center stage as the parade moves through the city.

The moment kicks off at 8:30 ET and features the return of host Al Roker after suffering several health issues over the past year, as he will host the event alongside NBC Today stars Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.

NYPD officers have a strong presence as this year’s parade comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Big Apple, with officials ramping up “robust” security at the parade compared to recent years.

As preparations began Wednesday evening, towering balloons were inflated at the start of the parade route on the city’s Upper West Side.

Preparations began Wednesday evening as towering balloons were set up along the parade route, seen on New York City’s Upper West Side

Twenty-five balloons will loom over the Big Apple, including Baby Yoda, Minions, Ronald McDonald, Red Titan, Kung Fu Panda, Snoopy, Pillsbury Doughboy, Leo and Uncle Dan

This year’s event sees the return of beloved host Al Roker, who called the family event with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday morning

As early as 5 a.m., enthusiastic attendees lined the streets to find the best spot to watch the procession.

The parade route will also be marked with an increased police presence, following several protests that erupted in recent weeks over the Middle East crisis and a terror threat at the US-Canada border in New York on Wednesday afternoon.

NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban acknowledged the security increase when he spoke to NBC before the parade began.

“We are working with our federal, state and local partners to ensure everything is safe,” Caban said.

“At this time, there are no specific or credible threats to New York City or the parade in general, but the New York City Police Department has been on high alert since October 7.”

“We encourage all families to come out and enjoy the day,” he added, noting that this year’s event is his first as the city’s police chief.

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said there will be an increased police presence at this year’s event amid tensions in the Big Apple, but stressed there are “no credible threats” to the event

Eighteen artists are also preparing to take center stage, with music icon Cher joined by acts including En Vogue, ENHYPHEN, Jessie James Decker, Chicago and Pentatonix

Before the parade began, the Macy’s Santa Claus appeared on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Workers are seen inflating a huge Goku balloon near Central Park as the city prepared for Wednesday night’s parade

Baby Yoda, Minions, Ronald McDonald, Red Titan, Kung Fu Panda, Snoopy, Pillsbury Doughboy, Leo and Uncle Dan are among the iconic balloons that will be sent through the parade.

The packed parade will feature eighteen performers throughout the event, with Cher set to headline as she rings in Christmas on Santa’s sleigh to conclude the procession.

NBC host Al Roker is also making a welcome appearance at this year’s festivities after suffering several health issues recently.

Roker has co-hosted the parade every year since 1995, but had to miss the parade last November because he was hospitalized due to blood clots and internal bleeding.

He will present a star-studded lineup including En Vogue, ENHYPHEN, Jessie James Decker, Chicago and Pentatonix.

Ensembles from several Broadway shows including “Shucked” and “Back to the Future: The Musical” will also perform.

After missing last year’s event for the first time since 1995 due to illness, co-host Al Roker was a welcome sight when he returned to the parade