by 
Updated on November 23, 2022
Thanksgiving is approaching, and with it the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. As usual, there’ll be plenty of spectacle, floats, Broadway musical performances, and balloons both classic (Snoopy), appeal only to certain generations (Pikachu), and outright ads (the AFLAC Duck).
So, here’s a look at what balloons or balloon-like items will be featured in this year’s parade. A full list of parade floats, performers, etc. is available at Macy’s parade website, plus this press release.
Balloons
- Hello Kitty
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Spider-Man
- Ronald McDonald
- The Pillsbury Doughboy
- Pikachu (from “Pokemon”)
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Papa Smurf
- Toothless (“How to Train Your Dragon”)
- Finn and Jake (“Adventure Time”)
- The Elf on the Shelf
- Snoopy and Woodstock
- Eruptor (Skylanders)
- Thomas the Tank Engine
- Red “Mighty Morphin’ Power Ranger”
- Paddington Bear
As usual, the balloons lean heavily toward current or recent movies, TV shows, toys, books, etc. Kids will like seeing “Wimpy Kid,” Spidey, Pikachu, SpongeBob, Toothless, Finn and Jake, and Eruptor (“Skylanders” is a video game that relies on physical collectible toys). Their Gen Xer or Millennial parents will surely like the Power Rangers and Papa Smurf balloons. Meanwhile, I imagine older viewers will be wondering what the heck’s an “Eruptor.”
Balloonicles
- Kool-Aid Man
- Cloe the Holiday Clown
- AFLAC Duck
Cloe’s a balloon related to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
Novelty Balloons/Miscellaneous
- Virginia (“Yes Virginia”)
- Harold the Policeman
- Harold the Fireman
- Holiday Elves
- Wiggleworm
- Various holiday themed ornaments, candy canes, and balls
- Unlisted on the Macy’s site, but there’ll also be balloons of the 1939 “Wizard of Oz” movie characters, for the film’s 75th anniversary
Virginia’s based on the character from the 2009 “Yes, Virginia” animated TV special, which in turn is based on the famous 1897 “Yes Virginia There Is a Santa Claus” newspaper article.
Not balloons, but among the floats featured will include a Smurfs float and a float for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Image by Kevin Sanderson from Pixabay
