The Buzz Lightyear float (AP)

The Abby Cadabby float (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Kermit the Frog float (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become a tradition in most households across the nation — more than 3.5 million spectators line the route in Manhattan, with more than 50 million viewers tuning in on TV nationwide.

The three-hour spectacular features seven new floats plus signature balloons (page 42) and a host of bands and entertainers marching the two-and-a-half mile route.

“The Macy’s Parade will once again entertain an entire nation with a fantastic pageant filled with the most popular giant character helium balloons, awe-inspiring floats, the nation’s best marching bands, and a dazzling array of other elements,” says Amy Kule, executive producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

On stage will be the R&B giant Gladys Knight, teen favorite Victoria Justice, pop queen Kylie Minogue (see story on page 40), hip-hop superstar Kanye West (page 40), Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, Grammy Award-winning Columbian singer Juanes singing in Spanish and Latin marching band Pedro Molina, a Guatemalan group making its first New York appearance. The casts of Broadway’s “American Idiot” (page 40), “Elf” and “Memphis” will be on hand to deliver show-stopping numbers.

And, of course, there can be no Parade without Santa Claus bringing up the rear in his sleigh, kicking off the Christmas season.