Macy's Thaksgivig Parade

Every year, more than 3 million people line the streets and another 44 million tune into NBC to watch the balloons, floats and falloons join celebrities, bands and clown crews in the most spectacular holiday celebration in the world. The sprit of that small group of 1924 Macy’s employees lives on today with the participation of more than 4,000 volunteers on the famous 2 1/2 miles march through Manhattan’s streets.

1924

Originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade, the Thanksgiving Day Parade was stated by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. It was such a rousing success that Macy’s declared it would become an annual event.

1927 Big Bang
The 1927 Parade included helium-filled Balloons for the first time. They were released above the city during the grand finale, but unexpectedly burst above Manhattan’s skyline.

1928 Helium hunt

The following year, the helium balloons were redesigned with safety values allowing them to float for several days. The improved balloons also featured return address laves offering prizes in case any balloons floated away. Those lucky enough to find them could bring them back to Macy’s for a reward. 

1934 oh Mickey, you’re so fine
Macy’s designers collaborate for the first time with Walt Disney Productions, including the Parade’s first Mickey Mouse balloon.


1942-1944 War halts the Parade
World war 2 brings the Parade to halt for the first time in its history. Due to rubber and helium shortage, balloons were deflated and donated to the government, providing 650 ponds of scarp rubber for the war effort.


1946 TV time
The parade began using the same Manhattan route that’s used today, drawing a record-breaking 2 million live spectators. It was also televised for the first time locally in 1946, nationally in 1947.

1957 Popeye runs astray
During the 1957 Parade, a downpour filled the cap of the Popeye balloon with gallons of water, causing him to veer off course and dump water on surprised spectators.



1969 the first floats

Our world-renowned creative team, led by Manfred Bass, began building out Parade floats in 1969. To this day, the floats continue to be designed in our Parade Studio, a former Tootsie Roll Factory in Hoboken, NJ. The floats stand up to 40 feet tall, but can be folded to make their Parade eve trip to N.Y City via the Holland Tunnel, whereupon crew toil through the right to reassemble them for the 9 am step-off.

Balloons

Snoopy sightings

The Parade character with the most balloons in history is Snoopy. The current character, Snoopy in Flying Ace, is Snoopy’s 6th balloon character.


Spot the falloon

A falloon may sound like an exotic bird, but it actually a term the Macy’s Parade Studio coined for a float with a balloon character on it.


Floats

Clowns

Marching Bands

The Emmy goes to

Throughout the century, those who couldn’t make it to Manhattan in person have been able to enjoy the Parade on NBC Nine broadcasts since 1979 have been awarded the converted Emmy for outstanding achievement.



2008 Macy's Parade Highlights