Here are your new 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats and balloons
Editor's Note
It’s one of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions: watching the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The parade has been happening since 1924, and this year is the 98th edition. It’ll occur Thursday, Nov. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to noon EST.
While millions of people line up to see the parade in person or watch the balloons get blown up on the Upper West Side the day before, you don’t need to go outside to see some of the new balloons and floats.
TPG got a special preview at Macy's Studios in New Jersey and then at the balloon inflation on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
This year’s parade features more than 5,000 volunteers, 34 floats, 22 giant character balloons, seven of what Macy’s calls “balloonicles,” 11 marching bands and 28 clown crews. That’s not to mention the musical stars, Broadway performances and, of course, Santa Claus, which will all flow from Central Park West to Macy’s home base at West 34th Street and Sixth Avenue.
Here’s what you can expect to see.
Classic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade floats and balloons
Of course, if it's Thanksgiving, you are going to see a turkey. TPG got an early look at the longest-running title float in the parade: Tom Turkey. This float is a fan favorite, and Macy's says it's "second in popularity only to Santa." Tomorrow the float will be escorted by dancing showgirls and cheerleaders. This is the only "self-propelled float" in the parade.
Minnie Mouse
For the first time in parade history, Disney’s Minnie Mouse will be strolling the streets of New York City in her iconic polka-dot bow and signature yellow pumps. Minnie is five stories tall — that's 60 feet — and five stories long.
Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is back spinning a web in the streets of New York City for the first time in over a decade. Spider-Man is 44-feet tall (as high as a 4-story building) and as wide as five taxi cabs, at 34-feet wide. Macy's says, "This iteration of Spider-Man was crafted in the style of legendary comic book artist John Romita Sr."
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Greg Heffley, the star of the bestselling book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is appearing in the parade for the 15th time this Thanksgiving. In the gallery above, you can see his journey as he got inflated the day before the parade.
Stuart the Minion
Stuart the Minion from the Despicable Me franchise is back this year. Stuart clocks in at 40-feet long, and he's as tall as a three-story building.
New Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats and balloons
Gabby — the star of the hugely popular “Gabby’s Dollhouse" series from DreamWorks Animation — will make her parade debut this year. The Gabby balloon is painted with more than 25 colors, and a new movie starring Gabby and her famous cat Pandy Paws will be coming in 2025. Related: Holiday airfare is rising: What to know if you haven’t booked yet
There are several other new balloons and floats for 2024, including a newly designed Goku, the legendary hero of the Dragon Ball franchise; and Santa’s magical arctic fox Extraordinary Noorah, joined by The Elf on the Shelf.
Here are a few more.
Marshall from "PAW Patrol"
Marshall the Dalmation of "PAW Patrol" is joining the parade for the first time this year. Macy's says, "As Adventure Bay's resident firedog, he bravely extinguishes flames and uses his ladder to rescue those in need. Full of heart, Marshall is 'fired up' and prepared for his first Parade appearance."
The Marshall balloon is twice the size of a standard New York City Fire Department truck.
Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest by Nickelodeon
Dora the Explorer is back for the first time in 15 years. “Exciting discoveries await Dora and her best friend Boots” as she returns to the parade, Macy’s said. “Accompanied by her reliable map and backpack, Dora is prepared to navigate the tropical terrain and New York City streets while keeping her eyes and ears peeled for Swiper the mischievous fox.”
Pasta Knight by Rao’s Homemade
This year, a cool dragon represents the famous New York restaurant Rao’s and its Rao’s Homemade brand of pastas and sauces.
The Rao’s Homemade Pasta Knight is here to slay a hunger dragon, with a backdrop designed to resemble a village in Southern Italy. Macy’s said it was inspired by the origin of Rao’s Homemade authentic Italian marinara sauce. Look closely and you’ll see the knight is made from pasta shapes like orecchiette, fusilli and rigatoni, among others.
Wondrous World of Wildlife by the Bronx Zoo
My favorite float was the Wondrous World of Wildlife entry from the Bronx Zoo right here in New York City. This famous park has been amazing visitors for the past 125 years. “From Amur tigers to western lowland gorillas to giraffes, these are just some of the extraordinary creatures you can encounter on your next visit to the Bronx Zoo,” according to Macy’s.
Each animal on the float was designed to be the same size as its real-life counterpart. During the actual parade, Idina Menzel will perform on the float.
Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line
The Magic Meets the Seas float from Disney Cruise Line features unique design details from eight of the Disney Cruise Line ships. Take a look at the fun character art adorning the bows.
Strikes Again by Go Bowling
This fully kinetic “balloonicle,” powered by an electric battery, features the Go Bowling Bowler, who resembles an animatronic character straight out of a theme park. This is a fun new addition to the lineup.
Related: Your guide to the can’t-miss holiday happenings in New York City
Wednesday’s Feast by Netflix
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky. They’re altogether ooky. They’re the Addams family, and they will be represented by Wednesday and Pugsley Addams in the parade thanks to a cool float sponsored by Netflix. The Macy’s Studios team said it spent over 100 hours meticulously sculpting the faces of the “Addams Family” characters for the parade.
Candy Cosmos by Haribo
Haribo makes delicious gummies, and they make cute parade floats and balloons, too. The company has more than 25 gummy products on the market. Can you name all the types shown on its float?
Bottom line
Hopefully, our preview of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade made you want to attend in real life at some point. We have a complete guide to everything you need to know to plan a trip and see the balloons in person.
Related reading:
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.