The 100th Macy’s Parade: What’s New, Balloon Inflation, Viewing Tips

Picture a grandmother from Queens who watched the Macy’s parade from Central Park West as a girl. This year she has promised her grandkids a spot on the curb for the 100th edition, which means alarms before dawn, thermoses and a long, cold wait.

She has a story ready for when they get restless, about a balloon that flew away in 1931 and never came back. On Nov. 26, that balloon is due to return.

When is the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. In its 100-day countdown announcement, Macy’s said the parade airs on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones.

Macy’s calls the centennial a once-in-a-century milestone, and it is building the lineup to match.

What’s new for the 100th parade?

Macy’s says the 100th parade will feature a record-breaking lineup of 100 inflatable elements. For comparison, the company’s announcement for the 99th parade last year listed 32 balloons and 3 balloonicles, along with 27 floats and more than 5,000 volunteers.

Highlights announced so far include:

• Disney’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, a brand-new balloon.
• Underdog, reimagined and making his first flight since 1984.
• Felix the Cat, who in 1927 became the first character balloon in the parade, carried on sticks by volunteers before helium balloons arrived the following year.
• Macy’s All-Stars float, bringing back Bullwinkle J. Moose, Olive Oyl, Popeye, Swee’Pea and Sonic the Hedgehog as inflatable and costumed characters.
• Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes, a new float honoring the artist behind many of the parade’s signature elements, with a puppet likeness of Sarg himself.
• Billie Brightpaw and Tom Jr., two newcomers. Tom Jr. is the son of the parade’s familiar Tom Turkey.

Macy’s said more balloon and float announcements would come in the weeks leading up to the parade, so the full lineup and performers may grow before Thanksgiving.

What is the story of the Blue Hippopotamus?

This is the centennial detail that longtime parade fans will love. In the parade’s early years, Macy’s released its balloons at the end of the route and gave a prize to customers who returned them.

After the 1931 parade, every balloon was accounted for except one, according to Macy’s. The Blue Hippopotamus was last seen soaring beyond the Empire State Building. Macy’s says the hippo will return for the 2026 parade, with participation details to come.

What is the parade route?

According to NYC Tourism, the parade runs from Central Park West at West 77th Street down to Herald Square, home of Macy’s flagship at 151 West 34th Street. The listing notes that the parade is free and wheelchair accessible.

The televised performances happen in front of the Herald Square store. In 2025, Macy’s billed them as performances at its 34th Street Herald Square flagship, so if you want to see the performers, the TV broadcast is the surest view.

When and where is the balloon inflation?

The balloon inflation the day before Thanksgiving has become its own New York tradition. In past years, NYC Tourism has described the balloons being inflated in the streets around the American Museum of Natural History, near Columbus Avenue and West 77th Street.

As of this writing, we could not confirm the 2026 inflation hours or the public entry point. Macy’s posts parade details at macys.com/parade, so check there before you go, and expect security screening and long lines for a centennial year.

What are the best tips for watching the parade in person?

• Arrive early. Curb space fills long before the 8:30 a.m. broadcast start, and a centennial year may draw even bigger crowds.
• Agree on a meeting spot. Phones get spotty in big crowds, so pick a corner off the route in case anyone gets separated.
• Dress for standing still. Layers, hats, gloves and something warm to sit on make a long wait easier.
• Plan restroom stops. Restrooms can be hard to find once you have a spot, so plan ahead, especially with children.
• Take the subway. Streets along and around the route close to traffic. NYC DOT posts holiday and weekend street closures on its traffic advisory page.
• Have a TV backup. If the cold or the crowds win, the broadcast starts at 8:30 a.m. on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo.

How else is Macy’s marking the centennial?

The celebration extends beyond the route. Macy’s says select stores will have special window displays featuring character balloons, historic imagery and parade facts, and the Herald Square flagship will have a countdown clock running until Thanksgiving.

The company also announced a collection of limited-edition parade keepsakes and brand collaborations, a commemorative book titled “Let’s Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy’s Parades,” and a free interactive learning activity with Khan Academy that explores the engineering and artistry behind the parade.

How can you watch the 100th parade from home?

For many families, the couch is the best seat in the house. Macy’s says the parade airs on NBC and Telemundo and streams on Peacock, all starting at 8:30 a.m. in every time zone, so relatives across the country can watch at the same local hour.

Macy’s also points fans to its social accounts at @macys and the hashtag #MacysParade for updates during the season. If you have kids at home, the free Khan Academy activity is a good way to build excitement the week before, and it gives them something to look for when the balloons appear on screen.

One small tip: if you plan to watch live and then head out for the day, set a reminder for the balloon you most want to see, since the lineup is long in a centennial year.

Are there other ways to experience Thanksgiving morning in NYC?

Some New Yorkers skip the curb entirely and watch from a party or a brunch. Last year, we covered one such option in our look at a Thanksgiving parade brunch and the new Thanksgiving tradition at the Appel Room. Check for 2026 dates and tickets directly with organizers.

Visiting from out of town for the holiday? Our guide to touring a new city covers the basics of getting around.

And for the grandmother from Queens, the plan is set. Thermoses filled, layers on, a spot on Central Park West before sunrise. When a blue hippo finally drifts down the avenue 95 years after it vanished past the Empire State Building, her grandkids will already know the story.

Frequently asked questions

What time does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade start in 2026?

Macy's says the broadcast on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starts at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Last year's parade also began at 8:30 a.m., so plan to be in place well before then.

Is the 2026 Macy's parade the 100th?

Yes. Macy's is billing the Nov. 26, 2026, event as the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and is marking it with a record lineup of 100 inflatable elements.

Do you need tickets to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

No. Watching from the public sidewalks along the route is free, and NYC Tourism notes the parade is wheelchair accessible. Arrive early for a good spot, since crowds gather well before the start.

Where does the Macy's parade start and end?

The route runs from Central Park West at West 77th Street down to Herald Square, where Macy's flagship store sits on West 34th Street.

Is Underdog in the 2026 Macy's parade?

Yes. Macy's says a reimagined Underdog balloon will fly in the 100th parade, his first appearance since 1984.

Sources

• Macy's, Inc.: Macy's Kicks Off the 100-Day Countdown to the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Macy's, Inc.: The Most Wonderful Stories Start at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2025)
• NYC Tourism: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
• NYC Tourism: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
• NYC DOT: Weekend Traffic Advisory

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