The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is preparing for a milestone unlike any other. In 2026, the beloved holiday tradition will celebrate its 100th march, bringing a century of giant balloons, elaborate floats, beloved characters and unforgettable performances to the streets of New York City. Macy’s is planning a special celebration featuring a record 100 inflatable elements, the return of familiar favorites and tributes to the creative minds behind the parade’s early years. From Underdog’s long-awaited comeback to the mysterious Blue Hippopotamus, several details make this centennial edition especially exciting. Here are eight things to look forward to as the parade marks its biggest year yet.
The Parade Reaches Its 100th March in 2026
A century of Thanksgiving memories is about to reach a remarkable milestone. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924, bringing a festive procession of floats, performers and larger-than-life characters through New York City. Although the event has become an annual holiday tradition, it was paused in 1942, 1943 and 1944 during World War II, when materials such as rubber were redirected toward the war effort. The 2026 celebration will therefore mark the parade’s 100th march, rather than its 100th consecutive year. Macy’s began the official countdown on August 18, 2026, inviting audiences to celebrate the people, characters and traditions that have shaped the event over generations.
A Record 100 Inflatable Elements Will Fill the Route
The scale of the centennial celebration will be hard to miss. Macy’s has announced that the 2026 parade will feature a record-breaking lineup of 100 inflatable elements, bringing together familiar favorites and brand-new creations. Among the new additions is Disney’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, inspired by Mickey Mouse’s memorable appearance in Fantasia. The lineup will also include a redesigned Underdog balloon, returning after more than four decades away from the parade route. The milestone number gives the event a fitting centerpiece: a spectacular collection of inflatables that reflects both the parade’s history and its continuing ability to introduce new characters to Thanksgiving audiences.
Underdog Is Making a Long-Awaited Return
Some parade appearances are memorable enough to leave fans waiting years for another chance to see them. Underdog is one of those characters. The heroic cartoon dog is returning to the New York City skyline in a reimagined balloon, marking his first flight in the parade since 1984. Known for his blue costume and familiar superhero identity, Underdog has a special place in the history of television animation. His return gives longtime viewers a nostalgic moment while introducing the character to younger audiences who may not have seen him in the parade before. Bringing him back for the 100th march is also a reminder that the event’s appeal comes partly from revisiting characters that have entertained generations.
The Macy’s All-Stars Float Brings Back Parade Favorites
The centennial celebration will give several familiar characters a chance to share the spotlight once again. Bullwinkle J. Moose, Olive Oyl, Popeye, Swee’Pea and Sonic the Hedgehog are among the returning favorites scheduled to appear aboard the Macy’s All-Stars float. Rather than giving each character a separate place in the procession, the float brings them together in a celebration of the parade’s long history. Their appearances represent different eras of popular entertainment, from classic cartoons to modern video game icons. For viewers who remember seeing these characters in earlier parades, the reunion offers a welcome dose of nostalgia. For newer audiences, it provides a glimpse of the many personalities that have helped make the event part of American holiday culture.
Tony Sarg Gets a Float of His Own
Behind the parade’s famous balloons and elaborate floats is a creative history that deserves its own moment in the spotlight. Tony Sarg, the artist and puppeteer who helped shape the event’s signature visual elements, will be honored with a new float called Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes. The presentation will feature recreations of his original characters and illustrations, along with a puppet likeness of Sarg himself. His contribution reaches back to the parade’s early years, when imaginative designs helped turn a holiday procession into a major public spectacle. The tribute is more than a historical reference. It recognizes the artistic thinking and inventive spirit that helped establish the parade’s distinctive identity and continues to influence the way its floats and characters are created.
Felix the Cat Returns to Honor a Historic First
Felix the Cat holds a special place in parade history because he became the first character balloon to appear in the event. His original appearance came in 1927, when volunteers carried the figure along the route on sticks. Helium-filled balloons did not become part of the parade until the following year, making Felix an important early step in the development of the spectacle audiences recognize today. The character returned in a new version for the parade’s 90th edition in 2016, and he is now set to join the centennial celebration. His appearance connects the modern event with one of its earliest innovations, showing how a simple character balloon helped pave the way for the enormous inflatables that have since become a defining feature.
The Mysterious Blue Hippopotamus Is Coming Home
One of the most unusual stories in the parade’s history involves a missing balloon and a disappearance that lasted for generations. In the early years, organizers released balloons at the end of the event, offering prizes to people who found and returned them to Macy’s. After the 1931 parade, every balloon was accounted for except the Blue Hippopotamus, which was last seen soaring beyond the Empire State Building. Now, Macy’s plans to bring the character back for the 100th parade in 2026. The return gives a little-known piece of parade history a fresh chapter and adds a playful mystery to the centennial festivities. Macy’s has said that further details about participation will be shared separately.
Special Keepsakes and Learning Experiences Extend the Celebration
The 100th parade is being planned as more than a single Thanksgiving morning event. Macy’s is marking the milestone with limited-edition merchandise and collaborations involving brands such as Disney, Marvel, Peanuts, Levi’s, Hallmark and Crocs. The collection includes commemorative items inspired by the parade’s characters and history, while the book Let’s Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy’s Parades offers a photographic look back at its most memorable moments. Macy’s is also partnering with Khan Academy on an interactive learning experience for classrooms and homes. The activities explore the artistry, engineering and imagination behind the parade, giving children a chance to discover how its elaborate creations come together. Together, these projects bring the centennial celebration into homes, stores and classrooms.
