Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Facts and Statistics for 2025
Last Updated on: May 29th, 2025
Here are a few of the most interesting Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade facts and statistics I was able to dig up in my internet travels. As always, be sure to check back in the future as I will be updating this post as new and updated stats become available.
Image courtesy NBC.com
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade held on Thanksgiving Day in New York City, and is one of the largest and most well-known parades in the United States. It is broadcast on television and features large floats, marching bands, performances, and the famous giant character balloons.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has its origins in the 1920s, when employees of the Macy’s department store in New York City organized a small parade featuring live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. The parade was intended to attract shoppers to the store for the holiday shopping season.
The parade grew in size and popularity over the years, with the addition of large floats, marching bands, and giant helium-filled balloons in the shape of popular characters such as Mickey Mouse and Snoopy. In 1933, the balloons were redesigned with safety valves to prevent them from flying away and causing damage, and they became a highlight of the parade.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has continued to grow and evolve over the years, with new floats and balloons added each year and performances by celebrities and musical acts. Today, the parade attracts millions of spectators to the streets of New York City, and is watched by millions more on television around the world.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Facts
When was the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
1924
How many people participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Last updated 2018
How many people who attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Last updated 2018
How many people watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV?
Last updated 2018
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2018 stats:
- 16 giant character balloons
- 43 novelty balloons
- 26 floats
- 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers
- 1,000 clowns
- 12 marching bands
Please note that some of these numbers are easier to find than others. Most of these fun facts come from internet reports and may not be official tallies. No information contained on DMR should be relied upon to make investment decisions. Basically, this is the best I can find and I don’t guarantee anything to be 100%.
