Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) attracts the attention of a window dresser and corrects his placement of the reindeer. He then attends the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and finds to his indignation that the actor cast as Santa (Percy Helton) is intoxicated. When he complains to the special events director, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), she persuades Kris to replace him. He proves to be sensational and is hired to be the Santa for Macy's flagship New York City store on 34th Street at Herald Square.