The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 26, 2026, in New York City. The parade began in 1924, and a three-year pause during World War II makes 2026 its 100th march. To mark the milestone, organizers are filling the route with 100 inflatable elements, one for each parade.
Key Takeaways
- The parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 during World War II, when rubber and helium were needed for the war effort.
- The 2026 lineup includes 100 inflatable elements, compared with 34 balloons in the 2025 parade.
- New giant balloons include Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Snoopy as Joe Cool with Woodstock, and Bluey.
- Felix the Cat, the parade’s first character balloon in 1927, returns for the centennial alongside Underdog, back after 42 years.
- Balloon inflation takes place Wednesday, November 25, near the American Museum of Natural History.
Why 2026 Is the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade first marched through Manhattan in 1924, which would make 2026 its 103rd year. The difference comes from World War II. From 1942 through 1944, the parade did not take place, as rubber and helium were directed to the war effort. Those three missing years mean the parade reaches its 100th edition in 2026 instead of 2023.
That history gives this year’s parade a different feel from a typical anniversary. The centennial lineup leans into the parade’s past, bringing back characters and design traditions from its earliest decades alongside new additions.
100 Inflatable Elements for 100 Parades
The centerpiece of the 100th parade is its inflatable lineup. Organizers will fill the route with 100 inflatable elements, one for each parade, spanning giant character balloons, heritage favorites, balloonicles and trycaloons. For comparison, the 2025 parade featured 34 balloons and 28 floats.
The number covers a range of sizes and styles. Giant character balloons fill the skyline between buildings, while smaller novelty balloons, balloonicles and trycaloons, which combine a balloon with a vehicle or tricycle, keep the parade’s older traditions on the route.
New Giant Balloons Join the Centennial Lineup
Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey was the first new balloon announced for the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Revealed on August 13, 2026, at D23 Day in Anaheim, California, the balloon draws on Mickey Mouse’s role in “Fantasia.”
Two more new giant balloons followed. In September, a new Snoopy balloon, featuring the character as Joe Cool with Woodstock, was unveiled at Gansevoort Plaza in Manhattan. On October 5, organizers announced that a new Bluey balloon, wearing a Christmas crown, will fly in the 100th parade. The parade will also debut a float inspired by the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” series.
Heritage Characters Return for the 100th March
The 100th parade reaches back to its own beginnings. Felix the Cat, who debuted in 1927 as the parade’s first character balloon, returns for the centennial. Underdog, a longtime favorite, comes back after a 42-year absence in a newly created balloon.
The parade is also paying tribute to the artist who shaped its look. A new float, Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes, honors the puppeteer who designed the parade’s early balloons. Sarg’s work helped establish the giant character balloons that have defined the parade for most of its history.
Balloon Inflation Takes Place November 25
The night before the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the giant balloons will be inflated on the streets around the American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The public can walk past the balloons as they take shape, and the event has become a Thanksgiving Eve tradition for many New York families and visitors. In 2025, inflation viewing ran from 1 to 6 p.m.; official 2026 hours have not yet been announced.
How to Watch the 100th Parade
The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 26, and airs live nationally on NBC and Peacock. Hosts and celebrity performers for the 100th parade have not yet been announced, with the lineup typically released in early November. As in past years, the parade will close with Santa Claus, marking the start of the holiday season.
FAQs
When Is the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place Thursday, November 26, 2026, starting at 8:30 a.m. ET in New York City.
Why Is 2026 the 100th Parade If It Started in 1924?
The parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 during World War II because rubber and helium were needed for the war effort. Those three missed years make 2026 the 100th march.
What New Balloons Are in the 2026 Macy’s Parade?
New giant balloons include Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Snoopy as Joe Cool with Woodstock, and Bluey wearing a Christmas crown.
How Many Balloons Are in the 100th Macy’s Parade?
The 100th parade features 100 inflatable elements, one for each parade, including giant balloons, heritage favorites, balloonicles and trycaloons.
When Is the Macy’s Balloon Inflation in 2026?
Balloon inflation takes place Wednesday, November 25, 2026, near the American Museum of Natural History. Official viewing hours have not yet been announced.
