Witness the evolution of one of New York City’s greatest holiday traditions.
The 5th annual parade in 1928 was the first to feature giant character balloons, as pictured above.
It was also the first year in which Disney had a presence, debuting several balloons includingMickey Mouse.
The Tom Turkey float at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Credit:Wang Fan/China News Service/VCG via Getty
1938
The acrobat balloon pictured here was actually designed by a 12-year-old boy named Rudolf Lopez.
A depiction of this balloon wasfeatured in 2016’sGhostbusters.
“Ol' Man Pumpkin” was one of the highly touted giant balloons in 1945.
Goldfish balloon at the 1928 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Underwood Archives/Getty Images
Braving the cold November weather is an integral part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade experience.
A new tradition began in the late-’50s as the Radio City Rockettes made their debut appearance.
The high-kicking dancers have performed at every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1957.
Tiamat the Dragon balloon at the 1931 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
1967
Betty Whiteand Lorne Greene cohosted the parade from 1963 to 1972.
Children watched as the Popeye balloon made its final appearance at the 1968 parade.
This also marked the final parade hosted by Betty White and Lorne Greene.
George the Giant Drum Major balloon at the 1932 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Luckily, the Bullwinkle balloon a Macy’s parade staple since 1961 escaped unscathed.
2001
The landmark 75th Macy’s parade was bittersweet, taking place just two months after 9/11.
The parade featured first responders carrying the American flag through the streets of New York.
The Gulliver the Gullible Balloon at the 1933 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Today ShowhostsKatie CouricandMatt Lauerfrequently emceed the parade together and separately.
Couric hosted every year from 1991 to 2005 while Lauer hosted from 1998 to 2017.
2003
The Clifford balloon was indeed fitting of his title as a “Big Red Dog.”
The 1934 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
2004
The 2004 Macy’s parade was the last to bebroadcast in standard definition.
Potato Head balloon, which was active at the parade from 2005 to 2007.
The Radio City Rockettes performed to a jazzy version of “Happy Holidays” in 2008.
Father Knickerbocker balloon at the 1936 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.J. Petrella/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
A whopping 900 clowns appeared at the 2008 parade.
2015
The Red Ranger floated above the skies of New York every year from 2014 to 2019.
Balloons and floats have come and gone at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but Santa Claus endures.
Pinocchio balloon at the 1937 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Walter Kelleher/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Due to her impending departure fromToday, 2024 might be her final year as cohost.
The parade was closed to the public and filmed for broadcast.
2021
James Devaney/Getty
WithThe Mandalorianbecoming one of the biggest shows in preceding years, Grogu (a.k.a.
Acrobat balloon at the 1938 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Walter Kelleher/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Baby Yoda) flew above New York City starting at the 2021 parade.
Lucasfilm designed the balloon in collaboration with Funko.
Bobo the Hobo balloon in the 1945 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Art Whittaker/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Ol' Man Pumpkin balloon at the 1945 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Gordon Rynders/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Spectators at the 1949 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The Spaceman balloon at the 1952 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Bill Meurer/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Santa at the 1958 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Hal Mathewson/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Spectators at the 1958 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Hal Mathewson/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The Radio City Rockettes at the 1958 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Hal Mathewson/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Spectators at the 1961 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.William Lovelace/Express/Getty Images
The Popeye balloon at the 1961 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Archive Photos/Getty Images
A clown with spectators at the 1964 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Paul DeMaria/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Spectators at the 1966 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Paul DeMaria/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Betty White and Lorne Greene at the 1967 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
William Shatner at the 1968 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NBCU Photo Bank
The Popeye balloon at the 1968 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Judd Mehlman/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Snoopy the Astronaut balloon at the 1970 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NBCU Photo Bank
Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse balloons at the 1972 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.James Garrett/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The Bullwinkle balloon at the 1975 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Ernst Haas/Getty Images
Spectators at the 1982 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The Strawberry Shortcake float at the 1983 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank
The Big Bird balloon at the 1988 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.William LaForce Jr./NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The Bart Simpson balloon in the 1990 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images
Goofy balloon at the 1992 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images
The Radio City Rockettes at the 1993 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Art Murphy/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
The Betty Boop balloon at the 1995 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Jon Levy/AFP/Getty Images
Woody Woodpecker balloon at the 1995 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Evan Agostini/Liaison
Rugrats balloons at the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Evy Mages/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The 2000 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Craig Blankenhorn/NBCU Photo Bank
The 2001 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Kermit the Frog balloon at the 2002 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Todd Maisel/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Katie Couric and Matt Lauer at the 2002 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Matthew Peyton/Getty Images
The Charlie Brown and the Elusive Football balloons at the 2002 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Clifford the Big Red Dog balloon at the 2003 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Todd Maisel/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
The 2004 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Mario Tama/Getty Images
Mister Potato Head balloon at the 2005 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Stephen Chernin/Getty Images
Shrek balloon at the 2007 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images
SpongeBob SquarePants balloon at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Yana Paskova/Getty Images
The Radio City Rockettes at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Curtis Means/NBC NewsWire
A clown at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Yana Paskova/Getty Images
The Spider-Man balloon at the 2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Joe Kohen/WireImage
Buzz Lightyear balloon at the 2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Joe Kohen/WireImage
Kanye West at the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Bobby Bank/WireImage
The Spirit of America Dance Stars at the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Ben Hider/Getty Images
Tom Turkey float at the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Papa Smurf balloon at the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Desiree Navarro/Getty Images
Paddington Bear balloon at the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Ben Hider/Getty Images
Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger balloon at the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Brad Barket/Getty Images
Santa Claus at the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.James Devaney/WireImage
‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ balloon at the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Noam Galai/Getty
Olaf balloon at the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Tina Fey, Savannah Guthrie, and Hoda Kotb at the 2018 Thanksgiving Day Parade.Eric Liebowitz/NBC
‘Sesame Street’ float at the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Peter Kramer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Radio City Rockettes at the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Peter Kramer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Grogu balloon at the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.James Devaney/Getty
Mariah Carey at the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Cara Howe/NBC via Getty
Disney float at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Gotham/GC Images
