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 th

New York City burst into life on Thursday morning as the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving parade returned to the streets of Manhattan.

Over three dozen floats, 25 giant balloons and 18 star performers - including Jon Baptiste and Cher - are set to take center stage as the parade moves through the city.

Kicking off at 8:30 ET, the moment has seen the return of host Al Roker after suffering several health scares in the past year, as he will present the event alongside NBC Today stars Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb .

NYPD officers are out in force as this year's parade comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Big Apple, with officials stepping up 'robust' security at the parade compared to years past.

When preparations began on Wednesday evening, towering balloons were seen being inflated at the start of the parade route on the city's Upper West Side.

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

The family event is set to take over the streets of Manhattan as the city prepares for the 97th edition of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

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 has seen the return of beloved host Al Roker, who rang in the family event alongside Jimmy Fallon on Thursday morning

Eager attendees lined the streets from as early as 5am to catch the best spot to watch the procession.

The parade route is also set to be marked with a heightened police presence, following several protests erupting in recent weeks over the crisis in the Middle East and a terror scare at the US-Canada border in New York on Wednesday afternoon.

NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban acknowledged the security increase as he spoke to NBC before the parade got started.

'We're working with our federal, state and local partners to ensure everything is safe,' Caban said.

'Right now 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 commissioner.

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said there is a heightened police presence at this year's event amid tensions in the Big Apple, but insisted there are 'no credible threats' to the event

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

Before the parade got underway, the Macy's Santa Claus appeared on the trading floor to at the New York Stock Exchange

Workers are seen inflating a huge Goku balloon near Central Park as the city prepared for the parade on Wednesday evening

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

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

NBC presenter Al Roker is also a welcome sight at this year's festivities after suffering several health scares in recent times.

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

He will present a star-studded line-up 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.