Macy's 100th Thanksgiving Parade debuts seven new balloons and 100 inflatables

Macy's 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature seven new giant balloons, including Joe Cool, Snoopy's alter ego, and Bluey from the animated preschool series, according to wmrn.iheart.com. The parade will include a record 100 inflatables, showcasing characters such as Bullwinkle J. Moose, Olive Oyl, Popeye, Swee’Pea, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

The new balloons also include Underdog, returning for the first time since 1984, Buckaroo Bob the Minion from the Despicable Me franchise, Hello Kitty Big Apple, and Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, marking Mickey Mouse's 21st appearance in the parade, wmrn.iheart.com reported. An original Macy's character, bear Billie Brightpaw, will also join the lineup.

The parade preparations included unveiling and testing the new balloons at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Will Coss, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, highlighted the challenge and opportunity of introducing new characters that are instantly recognizable and impactful.

The centennial event will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. Macy’s is also celebrating with exclusive product collaborations and a commemorative book titled Let's Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy’s Parades. The parade will feature a float honoring Tony Sarg, who helped create the original puppets and floats for the parade in the 1920s.

In addition to the parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, a 76-foot Norway spruce weighing 11 tons, has arrived in New York City with its lighting ceremony scheduled for December 2, according to wmrn.iheart.com.

The event marks a significant milestone for Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade as it continues to blend tradition with new elements to engage audiences during the holiday season.