Macy’s parade returns to Manhattan after the pandemic

The parade will feature both iconic figures from previous years and six brand-new balloons.

New York City’s premier Thanksgiving Day parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, will occur today. The colorful event returns to Manhattan to the delight of citizens after a hiatus last year due to the pandemic and the restrictions in place. 

The new parade, organized by the Macy’s Corporation, will be the 95th in history. The 2.5-mile-long parade will feature iconic cartoon characters from previous years, and six brand-new balloons specifically created for the 2021 parade. 

Among the new inflatable figures for the upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is Ada Twist, star of the Netflix series, whose first season was released in 2021. 

Macy’s will also bring to the parade a giant balloon in the shape of baby Yoda from the “Mandalorian” series, created by Jon Favreau for the Disney+ streaming service and part of the “Star Wars” universe. 

The famous Ronald McDonald, who first appeared in the parade back in 1987, will appear this time in a new costume. 

The real star of the new holiday program from Macy’s should be the new fabulous Tiptoe reindeer. 

Finally, named in honor of the legendary parade pioneer Tony Sarg’s, the Toni bear — fully designed, built, and painted by the Macy’s studio team — will be the showstopper who will hover over the parade route as an ambassador for the marching band program.

The iconic tradition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade dates back to 1924 as a parade to attract guests to the retailer’s department stores. Today, nearly a century later, the parade remains one of New York City’s most massive and festive events.