Rare Classic Photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—Plus, Why It Was Canceled for 3 Years

For over 100 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a highly anticipated event, with nearly 8,000 parade participants and over 3 million spectators lining the streets of Manhattan. Whether folks tune in on television or attend in-person, the parade is a beloved tradition that the entire country awaits.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the second-oldest n the United States, with the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade having begun in 1920. Learn more about the Macy parade’s history, how it’s changed and which years it was canceled.

The history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Beginning in 1924, the event debuted as the Macy’s Christmas Parade, created to kick off the holiday season and boost sales. Macy’s employees dressed in festive costumes—clowns, cowboys and more—and marched alongside live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo, including lions and tigers. The animals, however, frightened many children, and after the 1926 parade the idea was retired.

When the parade was renamed the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927, Macy’s introduced a new signature attraction to replace the animals: the giant helium balloons that remain a beloved tradition today.

The early parade balloons

In 1927, Macy’s began the tradition of having cartoons featured on the balloons, though the only one at the time was Felix the Cat.

The balloon was filled with regular air that first year, which was replaced with helium in the following parade so that the balloons would last longer.

Disney characters were introduced in 1934, with balloons featuring Mickey Mouse, Pluto and more. Over the years, characters have included Superman, Spider-Man, Garfield, Popeye and SpongeBob SquarePants.

The parade was canceled for a few years

Although the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an annual tradition since it began in 1924, there were a few years when it didn’t take place. From 1942 to 1944, the parade was canceled due to World War II and the demand for rubber and helium, both of which were donated by Macy’s to the military in the form of the balloons. With the war ending in September 1945, the parade resumed in November of that year, balloons and all. 

For 75 years, the parade went on as usual until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a major change. That year, the event was held in a modified, television-only format with no spectators along the route, ensuring public safety.

Now, in 2025, the parade is about to embark on its 99th run, with the 100th event set for Thanksgiving 2026.