The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most traditional events in New York City during the holiday season. Taking over 34th Street in Manhattan, the parade brings together live performances from celebrated artists, Broadway shows and bands from across the country. The parade’s main attraction, however, is arguably the gigantic floating balloons — a tradition that started in 1927.
“For nearly 100 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been synonymous with the beginning of the holiday season, celebration and togetherness,” said Will Coss, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, via statement. “Our talented team of Macy’s Studios artisans and production specialists work year-round to deliver the nation’s most beloved holiday event, live on Thanksgiving morning. We are proud to hold this responsibility and look forward to sharing our unbelievable designs, larger-than-life character balloons and first-class entertainment, all sure to create lifelong memories for Parade fans nationwide.”
Ahead of the upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, take a look back at the most iconic balloons from over the years.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1927
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Felix the Cat was the first balloon in the parade.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1927
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Happy Dragon ballon in 1927.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1929
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Daschund balloon in 1929.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1934
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Mickey Mouse, the first Disney balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1934
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Eddie Cantor balloon, the first ever based on a real person.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1940
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Happy Hippo ballon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1940
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Santa Claus in 1940.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1940s
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Uncle Sam in the 1940s.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1946
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Harold, the Baseball Player balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1947
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Elf balloon in 1947.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1961
Image Credit: Getty Images Popeye balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1961
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Bullwinkle balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1962
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Donald Duck in 1962.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1965
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Underdog balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1966
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Superman in 1966.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1968
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Flying Ace Snoopy balloon, the first ever Snoopy-inspired balloon of eight.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1977
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Kermit the Frog in 1977.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1982
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Woody Woodpecker balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1984
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Raggedy Ann balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1985
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Betty Boop balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1988
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Pink Panther balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1990
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Clifford balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1991
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Spider-Man’s first balloon in 1991.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2000
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Bandleader Mickey Mouse in 2000.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2001
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Bir Bird in 2001.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2002
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Kermit The Frog in 2002.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images Garfield balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2005
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Humpty Dumpty by TomOtterness
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2007
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Rabbit by Jeff-Koons.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images The Shrek balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2008
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Balloon inspired by Keith Haring’s art in 2008.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images Dora the Explorer balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2010
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Kaikai and Kiki by Takashi Murakami in 2010.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2011
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Tim-Burton’s B.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Macy's Kaws balloon in 2012.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images Charlie Brown balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images Papa Smurf balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images for Saban Brands One arm of the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images The Grinch balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images for Macy's Inc. Ronald McDonald balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images SpongeBob SquarePants balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2023
Image Credit: Getty Images for Macy's, Inc. Pikachu and Eevee Pokémon balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images for Macy's Goku balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Minnie Mouse balloon.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Marshall balloon.