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Disney balloons through Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade history

Steve Liebman November 24, 2021

2 minutes read

(Note: This has been updated in 2023)

Since 1927 the world’s most popular characters, including from Disney, have been transformed into high-flying art in the sky as balloons during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

According to Macy’s history, the parade’s balloons, inspired by marionettes, first debuted as upside down puppets filled with air and carried on sticks, before taking flight with the addition of helium. Over time the inflatables morphed to encompass balloonheads, hybrid inflatables with vehicles inside (balloonicles) and tandem tricycles (trycaloons).

“For more than nine decades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has served to bring joy to millions, who gather with friends and family to experience this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration along the streets of New York City and in homes nationwide,” said Will Coss, Executive Producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This year’s Parade — which airs 9 a.m. on NBC on Thanksgiving Day —will feature more than 5,000 volunteers, 25 giant character balloons, 31 floats, 29 clown crews, 11 marching bands and 7 performance groups, a host of musical stars, and the one- and-only Santa Claus.

Part of this lineup is a Funko Pop! inspired Grogu from the Star Wars series “The Mandalorian.” This is the first Star Wars balloon be part of the parade.

While balloons first joined the parade in 1927 it wasn’t until 1934 that a group of Disney balloons debuted with a 40-foot tall Mickey Mouse followed by a smaller Pluto balloon, a 34-foot-tall Big Bad Wolf, a 31-foot-tall Little Pig, and a 12 ½-foot-tall Horace Horsecollar balloon.

Here’s a look at all the Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars balloons over time at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: