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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Experience the wonder of holiday magic at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – full of giant balloons, amazing floats, and live performances!

Thursday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFourth Thursday in November

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYCulture

SUBCATEGORYCivics

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Pack up your picnic baskets and pumpkin pies! Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is galloping around the corner, ready to dazzle and delight on November 28. This landmark New York City event has been a cherished part of American tradition since 1924, making holiday dreams come to life with its iconic giant balloons, spectacular floats, and electrifying live performances. From that very first parade featuring whimsical characters created by Tony Sarg, to the stunning, high-flying spectacles we see today, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade continues to captivate hearts and ignite holiday spirit in millions! Get ready to join in the excitement and experience this wonder of holiday magic. It's almost parade time, let the countdown begin!

TIMELINE

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Timeline

Parade's Inception

The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debuts in New York City, featuring live animals from the Central Park Zoo.

First Giant Balloons

Replacing live animals, first helium-filled character balloons, including the Felix the Cat, were introduced in the parade.

First Mickey Mouse Balloon

The first Mickey Mouse balloon made its debut, beginning a long tradition of Disney characters in the parade.

Parade Broadcast Begins

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was televised for the first time on NBC, expanding its reach beyond New York City.

Post 9/11 Parade

After the 9/11 attacks, the parade acted as a beacon of hope and resiliency, featuring a special firefighter balloon and policeman balloon to honor first responders.

Interactive Floats

In an effort to modernize the parade, interactive floats featuring augmented reality (AR) experiences were introduced.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Host a parade viewing party

Get your friends and family together and host a viewing party of the parade. You can create a festive atmosphere with holiday decorations and serve snack foods that are easy to eat while watching the parade on TV.

MAKE

Make themed snacks

Prepare snacks or desserts that are themed around the parade. For instance, you might make balloon-shaped cookies or cupcakes decorated like some of the famous characters that have appeared in the parade.

PLAY

Play parade trivia

Research some fun facts about the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and create a trivia game to play with your family. It's a fun way to learn more about this beloved tradition!

HAVE

Have a pre-parade celebration

Join in the magic and excitement by having your own pre-parade celebration. Patience and Fortitude, the iconic marble lions that guard the New York Public Library, are decked out in holiday wreaths, which serves as the perfect backdrop for holiday photo shoots. Witness the balloon inflation and staging spectacle, another magical event leading up to the big day.

CRAFT

Craft parade floats and balloons

Get creative with your kids by making your own parade floats and balloons. Decorate a shoebox to serve as your ‘float,' and for balloons, you can blow up balloons and draw popular characters on them.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

It's Interactive and Fun

Watching the parade is not only about spectating but also interacting! The vibrant celebration provides ample opportunities to host viewing parties, craft parade-inspired snacks, play fun trivia games, and even create our own floats and balloons. It's a special event that offers a unique blend of fun and learning for families across the nation.

It's Full of Tradition

First started in 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade has become a cherished part of American tradition. The parade takes us on a journey throughout the years with its iconic balloons, spectacular floats, and electrifying live performances, instilling a sense of unity and excitement that continues to captivate hearts every year.

Holiday Magic

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade evokes a sense of wonder and holiday magic like no other. From stunning, high-flying balloons to mesmerizing live performances, it's an event that lights up the holiday season and sparks joy in millions of spectators year after year.

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