Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

A Timeless Tradition

Each year, over three and a half million people gather along the streets of New York City to experience one of the most spectacular parades on Earth. What began exactly 100 hundred years ago as a modest procession has grown into a grand spectacle filled with gigantic balloons, dazzling floats, world-class performances, and an abundance of holiday cheer. It’s an experience that unites the city and its many visitors to kick off the holiday season and captures the spirit of Thanksgiving in the most festive way possible.

The parade had its humble beginnings on November 23, 1924. At the time, Macy’s, the iconic department store on 34th Street, was eager to celebrate the holidays with a special event. The parade was initially called the Macy’s Christmas Parade and was designed to showcase the store’s commitment to the season.

The first parade featured a mix of employees dressed in costumes, live animals from the Central Park Zoo, and a series of floats. It went six miles, starting at 145th Street and ending at R.H. Macy & Company, America’s largest department store.

Despite its modest elements, the parade still drew a crowd. By the time Santa pulled up to the store’s brand-new entrance on 34th Street, nearly 10,000 people were there to cheer his arrival. Kris Kringle sounded his trumpet and called for the windows to reveal their holiday display, which was called “The Fair Frolics of Wondertown.” It was a crowning achievement that celebrated their recent expansion, where they now filled an entire city block with one million square feet of retail space. It was soon after that Macy’s decided to make it an annual tradition.

By the 1930s, the parade had grown substantially with the addition of the now-famous giant balloons. These balloons, originally shaped like animals and other whimsical creatures, were one of the key factors that propelled the parade into the global spotlight. It’s been said the idea for the balloons came from the fact that the live animals from the zoo were scaring the children, and this would serve as a way to entertain instead of frighten.

The year after they debuted, the balloons were filled with helium instead of air so they could magically float above the streets in an impressive display. The first balloon was of Felix the Cat, a popular character from the 1919 silent film Feline Follies. Other early balloons included a 60-foot dinosaur and a 25-foot dachshund. In the early years, the balloons were released into the sky at the end of the parade, and anyone who found and returned them received a reward as high as $100.

In 1933, the parade was broadcast on the radio for the first time. Starting in 1946, the event was broadcast on television, which helped cement its status as a global holiday favorite. Today, the parade is seen live by millions of viewers around the world, making it a central part of Thanksgiving for many.

Over the decades, the parade has evolved into a massive panorama. In 1948, there were 17 floats, six balloons, and a few bands. This year’s parade will include 27 floats, a dozen marching bands from across the country, more than 60 balloons, seven Broadway numbers, various dance and cheer routines, performances from some of the top music acts in the world, and those legendary Radio City Rockettes, a fixture since 1958.

Last year more than 28 million people viewed the parade at home. It’s largest audience yet. It creates a shared sense of belonging on this important American holiday. And if you get the chance to see it in person on your visit to NYC, you’ll have an experience to remember. As historian Doug Matthews has said, “When you go to a parade you unconsciously enter a space that’s sacred.” And isn’t that truly a miracle on 34th Street?