The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is up, the weather is cooling down and it’s almost time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! The tradition that began in 1924 is one of the best fall events in NYC, and we’re already looking forward to it. For now, look back on 85 years of photos of the creatures and characters that once took flight on the city streets on Thanksgiving in NYC.
RECOMMENDED: The guide to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Miss Muffett float, 1924
Balloonatics Float, 1926
Happy Dragon, 1927
Dachshund, 1929
Left: Eddie Cantor, 1934
Right: Mickey Mouse, 1934
Santa balloon, 1940
Happy Hippo, 1940s
Uncle Sam, 1940s
Tin Man float, 1940s
Pilgrim balloon, 1946
Left: Macy’s Elf balloon, 1947; Right: Harold the Fireman, 1948
Harold the Baseball Player, 1949
Bullwinkle, 1961
Peanuts float, 1960s
Donald Duck, 1962
Left: Underdog, 1965; Right: Superman, 1966
Flying Ace Snoopy, 1968
Tom Turkey float, 1970s
Sesame Street float, 1978
Left: Kermit the Frog, 1977; Right: Woody Woodpecker, 1982
Left: Raggedy Ann, 1984; Right: Betty Boop, 1985
Pink Panther, 1988
Left: Clifford, 1990; Right: Spiderman, 1991
Charlie Brown, 2002
Left: Bandleader Mickey Mouse, 2000; Right: Big Bird, 2001
Kermit the Frog, 2002
Strike Up the Band Barney, 2003
Barney’s Playtime in the Park, 2002
Lego float, 2002
Humpty Dumpty by Tom Otterness, 2005
Soaring Spirit Canoe, 2000s
Barbie: The Prince & the Pauper float, 2004
Rabbit by Jeff Koons, 2007
Left: Figure with Heart by Keith Haring, 2008; Right: Kaikai and Kiki by Takashi Murakami, 2010
Tim Burton’s B., 2011
Companion by KAWS, 2012
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