What a difference Covid-19 vaccines and 12 months make.

The 2021 spectacle will return to the more familiar parade of yore. Travelers and residents will have 2.5 miles of public viewing as balloons, floats and bands make their way from the Upper West Side to Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square.

Longtime New York City resident Lisa Fischer is simply delighted about the 95th annual parade, which starts at 9 a.m. ET Thursday.

Fischer has a lot of in-person, treasured experiences with the parade.

When her two children were younger, Fischer used to take them to watch the giant balloons being inflated. Then they’d catch the parade on TV the next day in their pajamas at home.

Around 2004, they had a particularly memorable time watching up close.

“We got to be in the stands right in front of Macy’s,” Fischer said. “I was fortunate enough to get tickets and right in front where they televised it. That was really fun.”

Here’s what folks on the ground and watching on TV can expect:

2021 Macy’s Parade route

The 2020 parade was held in a small area around the Macy’s flagship store — just enough room to stage it for broadcast.

Early birds start arriving around 6 a.m. Thursday on Central Park West from West 75th to West 61st streets. This stretch is considered to have great views. The parade will then make a turn at Columbus Circle — again no public viewing at the circle.

After a relatively short distance down Central Park South, the parade will head south on 6th Avenue for the long trip toward Midtown Manhattan. Macy’s touts the views from West 59th to West 38th streets.

The parade makes its final turn on 34th street and terminates in front of the flagship store (no public viewing here either).

Weather forecast

There is nothing in the forecast computer models that indicates winds will get anywhere near the threshold, according to CNN Meteorologist Judson Jones.

So, “let the balloons fly,” Jones said.

Not only that, but the weather will be crisp and beautiful, Jones said. It may be a little bit cold in the early hours, the upper 30s to lower 40s. But by the time Santa hits Herald Square, it will be mostly sunny with a temperature of about 50 degrees, if not a bit warmer, he said.

How to watch from home

Can’t be there in person?

The Spanish language simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by Ana Jurka and Carlos Adyan. NBC is also offering streaming on its new Peacock Premium platform.

CBS will also cover the parade from 9 a.m. to noon. And it will live stream on its Paramount Plus Premium platform.

You might also catch it if you have live TV streaming services such as FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Marching bands

— The Hampton University Marching Force: This high-energy Virginia band played at the 2020 New Year’s Day Parade and Celebration in Rome and its drumline was in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade.

— The NYPD Marching Band: Made of musically inclined police officers, it’s a crowd favorite.

— The Ann Richards Marching Stars: Deep from the heart of Texas, the band is the only all-female competitive marching band in the country, according to Macy’s.

— The Centerville High School Jazz Band: Hailing from Ohio, the band is known for its traditional and contemporary treatments of big band jazz. They are set to perform “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Performers

— The South Korean K-pop quartet Aespa
— Country music singer Chris Lane
— “Glee” star and Broadway actor Darren Criss
— Classic rock band Foreigner
— New Orleans singer, composer and jazz pianist Jon Batiste
— Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth of “Wicked” fame
— Groundbreaking country singer Mickey Guyton
— St. Louis rapper Nelly

Balloons

— Ada Twist, scientist: From the Netflix series, she makes her balloon debut this year at about the height of a four-story building.
— Tiptoe the Reindeer, also making its balloon debut
— Astronaut Snoopy, the ninth balloon iteration of the Peanuts character
— The Pillsbury Doughboy at 46 feet tall
— Smokey Bear, star of the longest running PSA in US history, according to Macy’s

Another beloved tradition — the public viewing of the balloons being prepared — returned this year. It was held Wednesday on the Upper West Side.

Floats

— Celebration Gator from the Louisiana Office of Tourism
— 1-2-3 Sesame Street Float
— Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree, featuring the voices of more than 100 Macy’s workers
— And of course, Santa’s Sleigh

Safety and security

Spectators are asked to avoid bringing large bags, umbrellas, backpacks and strollers. The public entering viewing streets might undergo a security search.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday there is “no credible and specific threat” to the city for the upcoming parade and that the city is in “a high state of preparation.”

“It’s tragic and horrible what happened in Wisconsin but, I will tell you, the NYPD for years and years has planned for very careful security around the parade,” the mayor said.

Sweet anticipation

Lisa Fischer said she plans to get up really early Thursday, grab a coffee, corral a couple of friends and see whether she can find a spot on the sidewalk to watch.

Fischer has an enviable back-up plan if the ground level action isn’t to her liking.

Her apartment at 60th Street and Amsterdam Avenue near Lincoln Center gives her a bird’s-eye view of Columbus Circle, where the parade will make a turn.

She has an amazing personal simulcast situation, too. Her TV is set up so she can watch the broadcast and watch the parade go by through her apartment window at the same time.

“I’m excited to watch it in person this year. It’s not Thanksgiving without the parade. It’s the kickoff of the holiday season,” she said.

“New York City feels a little lighter for the first time in 18 months. … Lots of Christmas decorations are up now. There are seemingly more tourists here. The atmosphere doesn’t feel as heavy. I feel more optimistic.”

Top image courtesy of Macy’s. CNN’s Mirna Alsharif contributed to this report