Look Back at Iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Photos Through the Years
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The days leading up to Thanksgiving are full of fun—we gather together and share meals with family and friends, decorate the house with all the cutest Thanksgiving fall decor, and spend quality time together on the long weekend. And after the big feast, we get to shop all the Black Friday sales the following day! It’s the start of the most wonderful time of the year. But one of our favorite holiday traditions? The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. To celebrate the iconic event, we gathered some of our favorite Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade photos from throughout the years so we could all share in the magic. Can you believe it’s been 100 years?!
That’s right—the very first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in 1924. However, 2024 will not be the 100th Parade ceremony. The Parade was actually suspended from 1942–1944 because there wasn’t enough rubber and helium available. So even though this year marks 100 years since its inception, 2024 will be the 98th celebration of the Parade. But through the past 98 years, we’ve seen an incredible array of floats, balloons, performers, and more. In all honesty, it was hard to narrow down our list of favorites! Can you spot a photo you haven’t seen before?
01
2023 Santa’s Sleigh Float
Santa’s Sleigh has appeared at nearly every single Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade since the event’s very first year in 1924! It concludes the Parade, and serves as a way to kick off the holiday season with cheer.
02
2023 The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka Float
This one was a new addition from last year: The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka float, created for the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was inspired by the Wonka movie that came out last year from Warner Bros Pictures.
03
2019 Tom Turkey Float
Each year, the Parade kicks off with the first float: The iconic Tom Turkey! This is the oldest and most famous float in the entire Parade lineup. He first appeared in 1973, and has become a mainstay in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ever since.
04
2021 McDonald’s Big Red Shoe Car
Check out Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and Hamburglar in their Big Red Shoe Car float! This is a photo from the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it’s been part of the Parade since 2000.
05
2021 Spirit of America Cheer Team
Look at this fabulous squad of cheerleaders shining bright for the Parade in 2021! The Spirit of America Cheer Team is made up of high school all-star cheerleaders from all across the nation.
06
2016 Charlie Brown Balloon
Good grief! Charlie Brown has played a role in the Parade since 2002, first as Charlie Brown chasing a football, and more recently as Charlie Brown flying his red kite.
07
2014 Pillsbury Doughboy Balloon
Did you know that the Pillsbury Doughboy’s name is actually Poppin’ Fresh? He’s “poppin” out again this year, as he has since his big debut as a balloon in 2009. Before that, he was actually just a character on Pillsbury’s “Holiday Lovin’ Oven” float. Hoo-hoo!
08
2010 Charlie, Kit, and CJ Holiday Elves Balloons
This cute trio of balloons was one of the Parade’s unofficial mascots from 2000-2017. Charlie (blue balloon), Kit (red), and C (yellow) are the three members of “The Holiday Elves” that marched alongside other fan-favorite balloons like Tom Turkey, Happy Hippo, Arrtle the Pirate, and Freida the Dachshund. They were retired in 2017, but we’re hoping they make a comeback soon.
09
2010 Sailor Mickey Balloon
We all know Mickey Mouse has been an iconic part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for years, but did you know the first Mickey Mouse balloon dates back to 1934?!
10
2004 Macy’s Parade Drummer
Look at this throwback pic of a drummer walking the Thanksgiving Parade back in 2004! Can you believe this was 20 years ago? We love the old-school uniform.
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