For millions of viewers, NBC’s telecast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is as much part of the holiday tradition as roast turkey, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce. The parade that begins on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and culminates two and a half miles later outside the famed department store in Herald Square will mark its 95th edition this year. It’s returning to its traditional form after being scaled down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be available as a live stream on Peacock for the first time, airing November 25 from 9 am-12 pm in all time zones. Last year, the parade known for its mix of inflatable balloons, floats, marching band, clowns and performance moments was staged only for television cameras in the plaza area outside the famously ornate Beaux Arts retail hub on 34th Street.
Mickey Mouse (1982)Mickey Mouse is seen here as a giant inflatable balloon in 1982.
Superman (1960s)The Man of Steel has made many an appearance as a giant inflatable balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade over the years. Superman mega-fans have cataloged and categorized the character’s various body shapes in balloon’s over the years. This particular puffy-chest edition of Clark Kent dates from the late 1960s.
Kermit the Frog (1977)The beloved leader of the Muppets has delighted fans with multiple Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade appearances as a giant inflatable from the 1970s until the 2012. Kermit has also been featured as a performer with other Muppets in the parade in 1979, 2008 and in 2016 for the 90th edition, per MacysThanksgivingFandom.com. Kermit is shown here in his first parade appearance in 1977.
The Smurfs (1980s)The Smurfs have had a periodic presence in the parade since the Belgian-born characters took off in the US in the early 1980s. Here they’re seen in an undated photo from around that time.
'The Bugaloos' (1970)The Bugaloos was a natural for a spotlight in the 1970 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Here, young stars John Philpott, John McIndoe, Wayne Laryea and Caroline Ellis are seen in the show’s signature wheels, the "Bugaloo Buggy,” built for the Kroffts by famed auto designer George Barris.
'Sesame Street' (1978)This same float appeared for five outings, shown here from the 1978 parade, with Big Bird on top.
Donald Duck (1984)Disney’s irascible fowl made his Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut way back during the event’s first decade, in 1935, with a balloon figure that bears little resemblance to the character that Donald Duck would become.Donald Duck was a regular in the parade through the "Mad Men” years — 1962 to 1972 — and returned again in 1984.
Woody Woodpecker (1982)Walter Lantz’s hyperactive cartoon woodpecker character dates back to the 1930s, but Woody Woodpecker only made his Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 1982, as shown here. The character was a regular at the event through 1996, thanks to a 10-year sponsorship from Universal Studios.
Betty Boop (1985)Max Fleischer’s Jazz Age comic creation celebrated her 55th birthday in high style as a giant inflatable at the 1985 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Tom Turkey (1970s)Tom Turkey is the oldest and most frequently recurring float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Here is in an undated photo of the bird from the 1970s.
Macy’s has been staging the mother of all retail promotional events in one form or another since 1924. NBC has telecast the parade nationally since 1953, making it a shared holiday tradition for generations. It’s also a prime showcase for family-friendly entertainment content. NBC’s telecast alone draws about 24 million-25 million viewers live on Thanksgiving morning every year.
Per Macy’s, the 2021 production includes "15 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 36 novelty and heritage inflatables, more than 800 clowns, 10 marching bands and 9 performance groups” and, of course, Santa Claus. As the 95th annual edition steps off from 77th Street and Central Park West, here’s a look at vintage shots of Hollywood and entertainment figures on display in the parade from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.