You wake up on Thanksgiving morning, smelling the turkey in the oven. You head downstairs anddddd… the Macy’s Day Parade is on the television. A fixture on Thanksgiving Day, the parade has been occurring since 1924, only cancelling for World War Two. The floats make their way through the picturesque streets of New York City, weaving through Central Park and West Avenue.
The parade floats differ every year, reflecting culture trends, but some are ages old and beloved by fans of the celebration. Possibly the most recognizable of these floats is the turkey, which leads off the parade every year. His name is Tom Turkey, and he was introduced in 1973. Tom is known as the parades “unofficial mascot” and is decorated with the fall season in mind. Bringing up the rear of the parade is the equally loved Santa Clause float, which rings in the start of the Christmas season. The sleigh is driven by Santa’s reindeer, and he waves to adoring children from Columbus Circle.
Between the Tom and Santa appearances, the parade features many childhood favorite characters. The longest running float is the Snoopy dog, which has been around since 1968. Snoopy is a lovable beagle from the Peanuts comics. Most of today’s children know Snoopy from the Charlie Brown cartoons, which are a holiday staple.
Disney characters also have a prominent role in the parade. The 2024 lineup features an impressive 22 Disney floats. These floats range from classic floats like Mickey Mouse (a parade staple since 1969) to characters from the newer shows like “The Mandalorian”.
The insurmountable love for the Macy’s Day Parade is evident in the outstanding attendance, with 3.5 million people attending in 2023. Tens of millions more people watch on television, highly anticipating the event.