Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade history, a look through the years l Timeline

NEW YORK CITY - Thursday, Nov. 27, marks the 98th celebration of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – an iconic event with a rich and storied history.

From its humble beginnings in 1924, to becoming a global spectacle, the parade has evolved with unforgettable moments, from massive balloons to dazzling floats and celebrity performances. 

JUMP TO: 1924 l 1925 l 1927 l 1934 l 1942-1944 l 1957 l 1958 l 1968 l 1980 l 1997 l 2001 l 2018 l 2019 l 2020

1924: The first parade

Timeline:

The very first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in 1924, when store employees marched to Macy’s Herald Square dressed in costumes. The parade was not really covered by the media. 

Bands and even live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo were featured. By the end of the parade, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square in front of over 250,000 people. The success of the first parade led Macy's to declare it an annual event.

1925: Santa Claus takes his place

In the following year, Santa Claus made his traditional appearance, marking the beginning of what would become a central symbol of the parade, according to Mental Floss. 

1927: The first floats

The first parade floats made their debut, transforming the event into a more colorful and spectacular affair. Floats have since become a hallmark of the parade, featuring creative designs and larger-than-life characters.

1934: The first Mickey Mouse balloon

In 1934, a giant Mickey Mouse balloon made its debut, tied to a dirigible.

The balloon marked the beginning of the now-famous tradition of giant character balloons, which continue to awe spectators every year.

1942-1944: The parade suspended

During World War II, the parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 due to the war effort, as rubber and helium were diverted to military use. The parade would return after the war – bigger and better than ever.

1957: The Rockettes join

The Radio City Rockettes made their first appearance in the parade in 1957, adding their signature dance routines to the event. 

Since then, they have been a regular feature, performing as the final act before the parade's commercial break.

1958: Celebrity performances

In 1958, the parade saw its first celebrity performance, with the Benny Goodman sextet taking to the stage. It marked the beginning of a tradition of star-studded performances which would continue in the decades to follow.

1968: Snoopy Takes Flight

In 1968, the beloved Peanuts character Snoopy made his first appearance as a giant balloon. 

Since then, Snoopy has been a mainstay of the parade, often featured in various designs and sizes.

1980: Superman makes his debut

Superman made a big impression at the 1980 parade with a massive new balloon measuring 104 feet long and 35 feet wide.

Although the Man of Steel had appeared in earlier parades, the larger-than-life version was a fresh addition.

1997: Cat in the Hat balloon accident

In 1997, during the parade, strong winds pushed the Cat in the Hat balloon into a lamppost.

 The falling debris hit a parade-goer, causing a skull fracture and leaving her in a coma for 24 days.

2001: A Tribute of Resilience

Following the September 11 attacks, the Thanksgiving parade continued as a symbol of resilience, though it carried a somber tone as recovery workers searched Ground Zero for victims. 

In a tribute to the fallen, first responders marched with two American flags that formed the shape of the Twin Towers.

2018: The coldest parade

In 2018, the parade experienced one of its coldest editions, with freezing temperatures and gusty winds making it a memorable event for both participants and viewers.

2019: Sesame Street leads the way

In 2019, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street, the beloved cast of the show led the parade, delighting fans of all ages.

2020: The COVID-19 pandemic

In 2020, the event was downsized and closed to the public, with a broadcast-only format filmed in the Herald Square area due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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