The 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to become a historic milestone as it celebrates its 100th edition on November 27. The parade will kick off at 8:30 a.m. across all time zones, delivering a “celebration of unprecedented scale” for millions of viewers, according to Sharon Otterman, Macy’s chief marketing officer.
Record‑breaking inflatables and new balloons
For the centennial, the sky will be filled with a record‑breaking 100 inflatables, including beloved characters such as Bluey, Scooby‑Doo, Hello Kitty, and a new balloonicle called Fuzzyeti’s Fur Wheel Drive by Levi’s. Additional new balloons feature Bluey, Buckaroo Bob the Minion, Earl the Squirrel, Hello Kitty Big Apple, Joe Cool & Woodstock from “Peanuts,” Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Underdog, and Billie Brightpaw, a cheerful bear created by Macy’s Studios.
Star‑studded performances
The lineup boasts a mix of musical acts and entertainers: Megan Moroney, Teddy Swims, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Jojo, EJAE, Indigo Girls, Natalie Merchant, Baha Men, Natasha Bedingfield, Blues Traveler, DEVO, Feid, McKenna Grace, Icona Pop, Il Volo, Wyclef Jean, Jamie Miller, Ryan Peter Murphy, Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, RIIZE, and Smash Mouth. A tribute to Dolly Parton will be led by Megan Hilty, with special appearances by Melissa Joan Hart, Jack McBrayer, Janet McTeer, Holly Robinson Peete, and Rodney Peete, all paving the way for Santa Claus.
Television and Spanish‑language coverage
The parade will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, featuring familiar “Today” show hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker. Telemundo will provide a Spanish‑language simulcast hosted by Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow.
New floats and corporate partners
New floats include Dashing All the Way with DoorDash; Hogwarts Holiday with HBO; Mr. Peanut Power Plant with Planters; Purina Dog Chow Salute to Service Dogs; Road Trip to Parade with GEICO; and Macy’s Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes.
Marching bands and community groups
Marching bands will represent schools from Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, as well as the New York Police Department Marching Band and Macy’s Great American Marching Band, which draws students from all 50 states. Additional performances will come from Maria Verdeja School of the Arts, The Divine Nine Unity Step Team, Native Pride Productions, Spirit of America Cheer, and Spirit of America Dance.
Documentary preview
Leading up to the parade, NBC will air a new documentary, “America’s Parade: 100 Years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” on November 20, with streaming on Peacock the following day. The film will celebrate the people, artistry, and imagination behind the tradition, featuring archival footage and interviews with past performers such as Billy Porter and Andrew Rannells.
Since its debut in 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become a hallmark of the holiday season, pausing only for three years during World War II.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
