Colourful scenes at the Thanksgiving Parade 2016 in New York

Santa Claus, giant cartoon balloons and whimsical floats were protected by sand-filled dump trucks and bomb-sniffing dogs as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade wound its way through the streets of Manhattan under heavy security. (Photo: AP)

Clowns perform as they march along Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in New York.

Members of the West Virginia University Marching Band march along Sixth Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Skylanders Eruptor balloon floats above the parade.

Spectators react as a float carrying Santa Clause passes by.

People sit at a window and watch the Elf on a Shelf balloon outside.

A float carrying Santa Clause moves down Sixth Avenue.

The SpongeBob Square Pants balloon moves down Sixth Avenue.