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- The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was first held on November 27, 1924.
- It’s been a hallmark of the holiday season since then, featuring celebrities and character balloons.
- This year’s parade airs on Thursday, November 28 at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC.
On Thursday, November 28, Macy’s will kick off its 98th Thanksgiving Day Parade.
But what’s extra special about this year’s parade is that it’s also the 100-year anniversary of the first Macy’s parade — then called the Macy’s Christmas Parade — which was held on November 27, 1924. (The company skipped the event from 1942-1944 because of World War II.)
Since then, the parade has grown into a spectacle of giant helium balloons, extravagent floats, marching bands, Broadway performances, celebrity appearances, and more.
“Every single year, we really try to deliver the best in entertainment,” Kathleen Wright, director of production operations for Macy’s studios, told the “Today” show on Monday.
So, as more than 5,000 volunteers, 32 balloons, and 22 floats prepare to grace the streets of New York City, here’s a look back at Macy’s first parade and how the tradition has evolved over the last 100 years.
