Macy's Parade Marks 100 Years with 100 Inflatable Balloons

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will reach its 100th edition this year, introducing a record 100 inflatables to the sky. The centennial event is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. Organizers confirmed a lineup of 100 distinct aerial figures for the march. This includes established characters like Bluey, Mickey Mouse, and Hello Kitty. The parade also features a tribute to Dolly Parton led by Megan Hilty. Special appearances are planned for Melissa Joan Hart, Jack McBrayer, Janet McTeer, Holly Robinson Peete, and Rodney Peete. These figures will lead the procession for Santa Claus. A list of 20 musical acts will perform during the event. Megan Moroney, Teddy Swims, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, and JoJo are among the featured artists. The full roster also includes EJAE, Indigo Girls, Natalie Merchant, Baha Men, Natasha Bedingfield, Blues Traveler, DEVO, Feid, Mckenna Grace, Icona Pop, Il Volo, Wyclef Jean, Jamie Miller, Ryan Peter Murphy, Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, RIIZE, and Smash Mouth. New balloon designs for the 2026 parade include Buckaroo Bob the Minion and Earl the Squirrel. The lineup also features Hello Kitty Big Apple, Joe Cool & Woodstock from “Peanuts,” Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, and Underdog. Macy’s Studios created a new balloonicle named Fuzzyeti’s Fur Wheel Drive by Levi’s. Billie Brightpaw, a cheerful bear character, was also added for the centennial. Several new floats will join the procession this year. DoorDash will present Dashing All the Way, while HBO will feature Hogwarts Holiday. Planters will show Mr. Peanut Power Plant, and Purina Dog Chow will present a Salute to Service Dogs. GEICO will host Road Trip to Parade, and Macy’s will display Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes. Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will return as hosts for the NBC and Peacock broadcast. Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow will host the Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo. Sharon Otterman, Macy’s chief marketing officer, stated that the company is creating a celebration of unprecedented scale for millions of viewers. Jen Neal, executive vice president at NBC & Peacock, noted that few holiday traditions capture Thanksgiving morning excitement like the parade. A documentary titled America’s Parade: 100 Years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC on November 20. The film will begin streaming on Peacock the following day. It will include interviews with previous performers such as Billy Porter and Andrew Rannells. Marching bands from schools in Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, Connecticut, and Illinois will participate. The New York Police Department Marching Band and Macy’s Great American Marching Band will also march. The Great American Marching Band represents students from all 50 states. Additional performances are planned from Maria Verdeja School of the Arts and The Divine Nine Unity Step Team. Native Pride Productions, Spirit of America Cheer, and Spirit of America Dance will also take part. The parade first debuted in 1924 and has been held annually except for a three-year break during World War II.

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a wide shot of a city street filled with colorful giant balloons and floats, bright daylight, clear blue sky, festive atmosphere, no people, no text, no logos

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