The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Through the Years, From 1929–2023

2024 marks 100 years since the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in 2024 — though it was then called Macy’s Christmas Parade. The highly-anticipated holiday tradition has stuck around for a century, with the official centennial coming up in 2027 due to the years it was on hiatus during World War 2. An American fixture, the parade is reflective of our evolving popular culture, with new balloons created to give all kinds of IP the larger-than-life treatment. From Felix the Cat to Baby Yoda, the event has seen a slew of beloved characters parade down the streets of New York City, in addition to pop stars, high school bands, Broadway performers, and more entertainment. And of course, Santa Claus can always be counted on to close out the parade. Journey into the past with photos of the parade spanning from 1929 to 2023.