How many Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades have occurred
The short answer is that, as of 2025, there have been 99 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades held in New York City. The first parade took place in 1924, and the count reached 75 in 1998, 85 in 2008, 90 in 2014, 95 in 2019, and 98 in 2023. The parade did not occur in 1942–1944 due to World War II and has been held annually except for that multiyear wartime gap. Below is a concise breakdown of parade milestones and the simple math used to track them.
Key milestones and the straight count
| Year | Parade Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1924 | 1 | First parade; organized by Macy's employees |
| 1927 | 3 | First appearance of Felix the Cat balloon |
| 1929–1941 | Continues annually | Regular parades through 1941 |
| 1942–1944 | 0 | No parades; suspended during World War II |
| 1945 | 24 | Return after wartime hiatus |
| 1998 | 75 | 75th anniversary |
| 2008 | 85 | 85th parade |
| 2014 | 90 | 90th parade |
| 2019 | 95 | 95th parade |
| 2023 | 98 | 98th parade |
| 2024 | 99 | 99th parade |
The parade number reflects the count of actual held events. Each year the parade occurs adds one to the sequence; gaps for war or exceptional circumstances skip numbers. Counting includes only full in-person editions; planned versions that were canceled or significantly altered are not numbered as separate editions.
Why the count can be confusing
Several factors change how the total is reported or perceived. Cancellations during World War II reduce the count. Shorter or modified events in special years may not create a new numbered edition in public discussions. Meanwhile, anniversaries and milestone labels (e.g., 75th, 90th) refer to the edition number in the original uninterrupted sequence rather than elapsed calendar years. Annual scheduling, weather-related changes, and one-off event format shifts all affect whether a given year receives a new parade number.
Year-by-year basics for tracking the number
- The parade began in 1924 as the 1st edition.
- It continued yearly through 1941, yielding 18 editions by then.
- World War II suspensions from 1942 to 1944 created a three-year gap.
- Parade resumed in 1945, numbered as 24th (not 19th), preserving original intended sequence.
- Since 1945, editions have generally increased by one each year, absent further disruptions.
- Milestone numbers such as 75, 85, 90, 95, and 98 align with specific anniversaries of the original 1924 launch.
How to calculate editions in any given year
To determine the parade number for a target year, start from 1924 = 1st and increment by one for each held edition, subtracting years for confirmed cancellations. The reliable method is to consult Macy's official records or trusted historical summaries rather than simple subtraction of years, because cancellations alter the sequence. For example, 2025 is commonly cited as the 99th edition, following the 98th in 2023 and the 99th in 2024.
Balloons, performers, and why the parade still matters
Beyond the count, the parade's significance grows from its traditions: giant character balloons, festive performances, and national television viewership that marks the start of the holiday season for many Americans. Keeping an accurate numbered list helps researchers, historians, and fans understand the parade's uninterrupted legacy and distinguish between planned concepts and realized events. The ongoing annual tradition continues to build on each numbered edition from 1 to the present, reflecting both continuity and adaptation over nearly a century.