Macy’s Kicks Off the 100-Day Countdown to the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®
As America’s most beloved holiday tradition approaches its 100th Parade, Macy’s is inviting customers to join a 100-day celebration of the people, traditions, memories and moments that have made the Parade a cherished part of holidays for generations.
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Macy’s is kicking off a 100-day countdown to the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, a once-in-a-century milestone that has inspired timeless traditions, sparked imaginations and created unforgettable memories for decades. As the creator of this beloved holiday spectacle, and as part of the brand’s Celebrations Start at Macy’s platform, Macy’s is welcoming customers to this milestone journey to celebrate life’s biggest and smallest moments over the next 100 days as the kickoff to Thanksgiving begins.
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Macy’s Kicks Off the 100-Day Countdown to the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®
“For 100 years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has brought generations together through moments of wonder, connection and joy,” said Sharon Otterman, Macy’s chief marketing officer. “As we begin the 100-day countdown to our historic 100th Parade, we’re inviting customers to be part of the celebration, not just on Thanksgiving morning, but throughout the season. Over the next 100 days, we’ll honor the memories, traditions and experiences that have made the Parade a beloved part of the holidays while creating new moments of magic for the next generation.”
The Journey Begins
In the weeks leading up to the 100th Parade, Macy’s invites fans of all ages to join in the magic with exclusive product collaborations, exciting balloon and float announcements and unforgettable experiences honoring the beloved holiday tradition’s centennial celebration. Visit macys.com/parade to stay up to date on Macy’s Parade news, events and opportunities to join the celebration.
Celebrating 100 Years of Culture
To commemorate a century of lasting memories, the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature a record-breaking lineup of 100 inflatable elements. This larger-than-life lineup will include the brand-new Disney’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey and a reimagined iteration of Underdog, whose long-awaited return to the New York City skyline marks his first flight since 1984.
Favorite characters from Parades past – including Bullwinkle J. Moose, Olive Oyl, Popeye, Swee’Pea and Sonic the Hedgehog – will make a triumphant return to the streets of New York City aboard Macy’s All-Stars float, a star-studded gathering of inflatable and costumed characters that span a century of Parade history.
These legendary Parade characters will be joined by a new float honoring Tony Sarg, the creative genius behind the Parade’s signature elements. Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes will bring the spirit of the Parade’s early years to the centennial march, featuring re-creations of Sarg’s original characters and illustrations alongside a puppet likeness of the artist himself, celebrating the imagination and innovation that helped shape the spectacle audiences know and love today.
Also joining the 100th festivities is Felix the Cat, who returns to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade after debuting a new iteration in the 90th Macy’s Parade in 2016. In 1927, Felix the Cat became the first-ever character balloon to appear in the Parade, carried along the route on sticks by volunteers before the introduction of helium-filled balloons the following year. His return honors the character who helped launch one of the Parade’s most enduring elements.
The 100th Parade will also welcome newcomers Billie Brightpaw, Macy’s Parade’s newest companion and natural-born adventurer, and Tom Jr., the son of the iconic Tom Turkey, commemorating a century of Parade magic, while keeping an eye on the future and for celebrations to come.
Bringing the excitement of the centennial celebration to customers nationwide, select Macy’s stores will debut special window displays featuring beloved character balloons, historic imagery and fascinating fun facts that honor 100 years of Parade magic. Additionally, Macy’s Herald Square flagship will feature a celebratory Countdown Clock counting the days until Thanksgiving and the 100th Parade.
Welcome Home, Blue Hippopotamus
In the early years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, organizers released balloons at the end, rewarding customers who returned found balloons to Macy’s for a prize. Following the 1931 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, every balloon was accounted for except the Blue Hippopotamus, who was last seen soaring beyond the Empire State Building.
This year, the Blue Hippopotamus will make a triumphant return to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 in celebration of the 100th Parade. Additional participation details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Exclusive Partnerships and Product
As the march to the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begins, Macy’s creates celebration beyond the route with an exclusive collection of limited-edition keepsakes and must-have brand collaborations. Inspired by a century of iconic moments, the assortment lets customers take a piece of the Parade home.
Featuring collaborations with brands, including Apotheke, Carolina Herrera, Citizen, Clinique, Crocs, Disney, Effy, Estee Lauder, Hallmark, Jo Malone, Levi’s, Lenox, Loungefly, MacKenzie-Childs, Mario Badescu, Marvel, Michael Aram, Michael Kors, Peanuts, Pixar, Sanrio, Spirit of America, Super Smalls, Tarte and Waterford, the collection offers new ways for customers to share the wonder of the Parade all season long.
Customers can also revisit Parades past with “Let’s Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy’s Parades” published by Weldon Owen, a commemorative retrospective book that brings 100 years of Parade history to life through extraordinary photography and behind-the-scenes stories from the cherished holiday event.
Select product is available now on macys.com, with the full assortment launching in select Macy’s stores nationwide this fall.
Inspiring Creativity, Curiosity and Wonder Through Parade Magic
For generations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has sparked curiosity, creativity and innovation in young minds. Leading up to the 100th march, Macy’s is partnering with Khan Academy to bring the magic of the Parade to life in classrooms and homes nationwide through a hands-on interactive learning experience that explores the artistry, engineering and imagination behind the holiday tradition.
To download the activity and learn more, visit here.
How to Watch the Celebration
Audiences nationwide can watch the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 26 on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. To follow and participate in the excitement, check out @macys on various social platforms and follow #MacysParade. For more information, visit macys.com/parade.
About Macy’s
Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M), helps customers celebrate – from everyday moments to life’s biggest occasions – with a curated assortment across apparel, home, beauty, accessories and more. Each year, Macy’s brings the nation together through two of its most beloved traditions: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, entertaining millions. Celebrate big and small moments in stores nationwide, at macys.com, or on the Macy’s app. For more information on Macy’s, Inc., visit www.macysinc.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260818240467/en/
Macy’s External Communications
Christine Nealon, Ryan Gannon
[email protected]
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