<p id=”par-1_40″>One hundred years and going strong. The Macy’s <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/thanksgiving/?swcfpc=1″>Thanksgiving</a> Day Parade has been an American holiday tradition since 1924, when the New York City department store decided to hold an event celebrating the expansion of its flagship Herald Square location. </p>
<p id=”par-2_73″>Over the ensuing decades, generations of people have tuned in (or lined up in the cold) to see iconic character balloons, marching bands, dance troupes, and other performers usher in the Christmas season. In 2024, the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/2024-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-channel-start-time-stream-performers.html/?swcfpc=1″>parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET</a> on NBC and Peacock, with performances from Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, and The Temptations. But before that happens, let’s look back at some memorable moments from past Thanksgiving Day parades. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1928-Macys-Parade.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”A black and white photo of a giant fish balloon during the 1928 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade” class=”wp-image-3746931″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>The 1928 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | Underwood Archives/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_67″>Giant balloons weren’t actually part of the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which instead featured animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. The massive inflatables debuted in 1927, when Felix the Cat floated down Fifth Avenue. In 1928, crowds gaped at tiger and fish balloons. At the time, the balloons were released at the end of the parade, with a prize awarded to those who recovered them. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Spaceman-Balloon-Macys.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Black and white photo of a spaceman balloon in the 1953 Macy’s parade” class=”wp-image-3746936″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>The 27th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | Nick Sorrentino/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_40″>Popular character balloons often make multiple appearances in the Macy’s parade. Snoopy has appeared more than 40 times. But other balloons are a product of the times. In 1953, this rocketman balloon reflected a growing interest in all things space-related. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rockettes-at-Macys-Parade.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Members of the Rockettes perform in lime green costumes during the 1966 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” class=”wp-image-3746935″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>The Rockettes perform during the 1966 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | NBCU Photo Bank </figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_33″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/a-holiday-spectacular-costume-designer-talks-bringing-1950s-life-new-hallmark-movie-exclusive.html/”>The Radio City Rockettes</a> have been a fixture at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1957. In this photo from 1966, they perform their routine in front of a Smokey The Bear balloon. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Betty-White-Macys-Parade-1968.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Betty White and Lorne Greene hosting the Macy’s parade in 1968″ class=”wp-image-3746933″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Hosts Betty White and Lorne Greene during the 1968 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | NBCU Photo Bank </figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-6_30″>These days, the team from NBC’s <em>Today</em> show does the honors of hosting the parade. Back in 1968, the duties fell to Lorne Greene and future <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/pictures-betty-white-throughout-years.html/”><em>Golden Girl </em>Betty White</a>. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1983-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”A man a bow talk to people dressed as characters from Shirt Tales at the Macy’s parade in 1983″ class=”wp-image-3746932″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Host Willard Scott, Joey Lawrence, and characters from ‘Shirt Tales’ during the 1983 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank </figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-7_22″>In 1983, parade host Willard Scott and a young Joey Lawrence posed with characters from the animated kids TV series <em>Shirt Tales. </em></p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-6″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sean-Lennon-Madonna-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”A black and white photo of a young Sean Lennon standing on a balcony next to anoher man next to a photo of Madonna cuddling with her young daughter on a balcony” class=”wp-image-3746930″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>[L-R] Sean Lennon in 1985; Madonna with her daughter in 1999 | Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-8_47″>Some lucky New Yorkers are able to watch the parade from their windows overlooking the 2½-mile route. In 1986, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/sean-lennon-new-beatles-ai-track-recreate-fathers-voice.html/”>John Lennon’s son Sean Lennon</a> viewed the spectacle from his apartment on Central Park West. In 1999, Madonna cuddled with her daughter Lourdes as the floats rolled by. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-7″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade-Sweatshop-Protest.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”A banner protesting sweatshops on the side of a building during the 1996 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” class=”wp-image-3746938″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>A protest sign during the 1996 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | NBCU Photo Bank</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-9_43″>Sometimes, protesters disrupt the parade in order to get their message across. In 1996, activists unfurled a banner urging Macy’s to stop selling clothing produced in sweatshops. In 2023, pro-Palestine protestors glued themselves to the parade route, temporarily halting the parade. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-8″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cat-in-the-Hat-Parade-Balloon.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”An aerial view of the collapsed Cat in the Hat balloon during the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade” class=”wp-image-3746934″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>The Cat In The Hat balloon after its accident during the 1997 parade | Evy Mages/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-10_53″>While the Macy’s parade usually comes off without a hitch, bad weather and bad luck have led to some memorable accidents. High winds were a problem for multiple balloons in 1997, including the Cat in the Hat balloon, which collapsed when it hit a light pole, critically injuring a woman on the ground. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-9″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Macys-Parade-2001.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Police officers hold a large American flag during the 2001 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade next to a photo of a Sikh man in a turban waving an American flag” class=”wp-image-3746929″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>The 2001 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | Chris Hondros/Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-11_55″>The 2001 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a particularly emotional event, as it came just a few months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. First responders were celebrated at the parade, while many paradegoers made a show of their patriotism, including this Sikh man who waved an American flag and a sign honoring the city’s firefighters. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-10″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Minnie-Mouse-Macys-Parade-2024.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”The Minnie Mouse balloon being inflated for the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” class=”wp-image-3746939″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Disney’s Minnie Mouse balloon is readied during the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation on Nov. 27, 2024 | TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP</figcaption></figure>
<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/charlie-brown-thanksgiving-wont-air-tv-2024-stream-holiday-classic-free.html/”>
‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Won’t Air on TV in 2024: How to Stream The Holiday Classic For Free </a>
</p>
</div>
<p id=”par-12_23″>New balloons make their debut every year at the Thanksgiving Day parade. In 2024, Minnie Mouse will appear for the first time ever. </p>
<p id=”par-13_16″><em>For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to </em><a href=”https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmTM34h0-P7FcCwuA6h6sw/videos” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s YouTube channel</em></a><em>.</em></p>