The countdown to Thanksgiving is on, and this year, the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is going bigger than ever. Celebrating its 100th anniversary on Thursday, November 26, 2026, the beloved NYC tradition will feature a record-breaking 100+ balloons and inflatables, including a whole new lineup of larger-than-life characters.
From Bluey and Hello Kitty to a cowboy-riding Minion and a familiar Disney favorite, there are plenty of newcomers ready to take flight. And with new floats joining the festivities, too, this year’s milestone parade is shaping up to be one for the books.
All the new balloons coming to the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Since their introduction to the lineup in 1927, the parade’s iconic character balloons have become some of the most highly anticipated elements of the holiday tradition. And for its 100th march, Macy’s is welcoming an especially exciting collection of new faces to the skies above NYC.
Here are are the new balloons and inflatables making their debut this year:
Bluey
Bluey is is getting into the holiday spirit with a festive Christmas cracker crown inspired by the beloved animated series. The giant blue heeler will be floating down the parade route in a brand new look, ready to celebrate the season with fans of all ages.
- 47.2 feet tall
- 47 feet long
- 27.8 feet wide
Fun fact: Bluey’s balloon is about 31 times taller than a real-life blue heeler dog!
Buckaroo Bob The Minion
Bob the Minion is trading his usual overalls for cowboy gear as he makes his parade debut ready for the rodeo. His trusty bucking bronco is, naturally, a giant banana, and this little cowpoke is sure to kick up some dust along the route.
- 39.2 feet tall
- 46.4 feet long
- 24.8 feet wide
Fun fact: Bob is sporting a whopping 7,830-gallon cowboy hat and is the only Minion with two different eye colors–one green & one brown.
Hello Kitty Big Apple
NYC is getting a visit from one very famous feline! Dressed in her signature blue overalls and iconic red bow, Hello Kitty is bringing her message of friendship, kindness, and togetherness to the streets of Manhattan.
- 33.6 feet tall
- 33.5 feet long
- 28.4 feet wide
Fun fact: This Hello Kitty balloon is 107 apples tall!
Joe Cool and Woodstock
Snoopy is back, but this time he’s channeling his cool alter ego, Joe Cool! Joined by his feathered pal Woodstock, the Peanuts favorite is making his ninth appearance as an iteration of the iconic Snoopy parade balloon.
- 55 feet tall
- 42 feet long
- 34 feet wide
Fun fact: Joe Cool would need a doghouse about 45 feet high to fit inside!
Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey
Get ready for a little Disney magic! Mickey Mouse is taking flight as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, complete with his iconic sorcerer’s hat and flowing red robes. The larger-than-life design celebrates imagination and Disney magic, just ahead of Mickey’s own centennial milestone in 2028.
- 41.6 feet tall
- 62.2 feet long
- 30.6 feet wide
Fun fact: This marks the 21st appearance of Disney’s Mickey Mouse as a character balloon in the Macy’s Parade.
Billie Brightpaw
Meet Billie Brightpaw, a curious bear with a glowing red star on her paw, guiding her through extraordinary adventures and lighting the way wherever wonder calls. She’s Macy’s newest character and is ready to make quite the entrance for the parade’s milestone celebration.
- 29.5 feet tall
- 37.7 feet long
- 20.85 feet wide (as wide as three taxicabs!)
Fun fact: It would take approximately 28,000 yards of yarn to knit Billie Brightpaw’s scarf!
Underdog
There’s a new superhero keeping watch over the parade! Underdog is returning to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 42 years, bringing the beloved animated canine hero back to the NYC skyline.
- 25.8 feet tall
- 41.5 feet long
- 20.7 feet wide
Fun fact: This Underdog would need a 38-foot-tall telephone booth to transform from his typical, humble dog persona.
Earl the Squirrel
A holiday favorite from Universal Studios Florida is making his way to the Big Apple!
Earl the Squirrel is inspired by the scruffy little squirrel who famously chewed through the blue lights on the resort’s Christmas tree. What started as an unexpected holiday visitor has since grown into one of Universal’s most beloved seasonal traditions.
- 30.4 feet tall
- 27.3 feet long
- 14.54 feet wide
Macy’s Blueprint Stars
In honor of a century of parade magic, Macy’s is bringing its own history to life with a new fleet of star-shaped balloons. Featuring original schematic drawings from the 1970s, the designs celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship behind the iconic holiday tradition.
- 25 feet tall
- 12 feet deep
- 24 feet wide
Fun fact: The original Macy’s Star balloons were designed by Manfred Bass, a legendary Macy’s Studios designer of the late 20th century.
All the new floats coming to the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Of course, the giant balloons aren’t the only new additions making their way through Manhattan.
This year’s centennial celebration will also feature several new floats, with appearances from some familiar faces, a little holiday magic, and plenty of surprises.
Macy’s Parade All-Stars
A constellation of beloved parade characters from years past is coming together for one very special float! Macy’s Parade All-Stars will feature some of the tradition’s most recognizable characters, including Popeye, Olive Oyl and Swee’Pea, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Bullwinkle J. Moose.
Fun fact: The original Popeye balloon (1957) has been combined with the Olive Oyl and Swee’Pea balloon (1986) to give these All-Stars a fun new design.
Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes
A little parade history is making its way down the route! Tony Sarg was a pioneer of puppetry who helped shape the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the 1920s. His imaginative designs inspired the original parade balloons, and this new float pays tribute to his incredible legacy.
The scene features Sarg puppeteering a miniature parade, surrounded by some of his iconic characters, including Tiamat the Dragon, The Inspector, Hummingbird, Elephant, Sky Elephant, Jerry the Pig, Crying Baby, and Morton the Nantucket Sea Monster.
Fun fact: Take a peek at the bottom left of Tony’s window, where a miniature R.H. Macy can be seen sailing his ship to his store on 34th Street.
Dashing All The Way by DoorDash
From holiday gifting to hosting and gathering around the table, this DoorDash float is all about the moments that make the season special.
Featuring Dashers delivering everything families need to celebrate, it’s bringing a little extra holiday cheer to the parade route.
Road Trip to Parade by GEICO!
An epic road trip is reaching its final destination: 34th Street!
The GEICO Gecko, Maxwell the Pig, Caveman, and Camel are all hopping aboard this new float for a holiday adventure through NYC. And while holiday travel can sometimes be a little stressful, these familiar commercial characters are ready to enjoy the ride.
Fun fact: The float’s cast of characters span back years of legendary GEICO commercials, from camels that celebrate “Hump Day!” to pigs that cry “Wee, wee, wee!” all the way home.
Hogwarts Holiday
Inspired by the HBO Original series Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, this enchanting float brings Hogwarts’ Great Hall to life with a festive holiday feast and the iconic Sorting Hat.
The insignias of all four Hogwarts houses—Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin—are woven throughout the design in the form of topiaries, statues, and stained glass, while a massive Sorting Hat welcomes fans along the route.
Fun fact: Many elements of this float were modeled after the set design & props of the upcoming television show.
Mr. Peanut’s Power Plant
PLANTERS is celebrating 120 years of history with a float dedicated to everyone’s favorite peanut! Mr. Peanut makes a grand appearance in his signature monocle and top hat, surrounded by details paying tribute to the brand’s long-standing legacy.
Fun fact: Peanut-shaped confetti will erupt from Mr. Peanut’s famous top hat!
Purina Dog Chow Salute to Service Dogs
It’s graduation day for some very hardworking canines! Purina Dog Chow is celebrating its Service Dog Salute initiative, which helps bring PTSD service dogs into the lives of deserving military veterans.
For its 100th anniversary, Dog Chow is bringing a little small-town charm to the parade route with a farmhouse-inspired float and some adorable pups ready to join the Thanksgiving festivities.
Fun fact: Throughout this float are 3 service dog puppets, bringing life to the celebration of Dog Chow’s mission.
When is the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thursday, November 26, 2026, bringing its larger-than-life spectacle to the streets of Manhattan.
For those watching from home, the parade will air live on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo beginning at 8:30 am in all time zones.
Whether you’re braving the November chill to snag a spot along the parade route or watching from the comfort of your couch with a plate of Thanksgiving food, one thing’s for sure: this year’s 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is not one to miss!
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and now on WhatsApp, too!