What Brand Best Embodies Thanksgiving?

While there are many brands that stand out on Thanksgiving, one overshadows them all.

What will you be watching on Thanksgiving morning? Many of us will be glued to our television screens watching the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

According to My Christmas in New York, "The first parade in 1924 featured Macy’s employees dressed as clowns, marching bands, and animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. It ended at Macy’s Herald Square, as it still does today. In 1927, balloons replaced the live animals — the first giant balloon made its debut as Felix the Cat. This started the tradition that continues to this day, with iconic balloons floating above Manhattan each Thanksgiving morning. Over the decades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has grown into a world-famous event.

The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade promises all the festive magic people love about this famous New York City event. Visitors can look forward to a spectacular mix of giant balloons, colorful floats, marching bands, dancers, Broadway performances, and celebrity appearances. Every year, the parade brings something new while keeping its classic holiday charm. For many people, the most anticipated moment is the arrival of Santa Claus at the end of the parade. His appearance officially signals the start of the Christmas season in New York City.

The Macy’s Balloon Inflation Ceremony is one of the most exciting and lesser-known traditions of Thanksgiving week in New York City. Held the day before the parade, this event offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the famous giant balloons are brought to life. Many people say it’s just as impressive as the parade itself. During this event, people can walk around and see the enormous balloons up close as they slowly take shape."

The parade is held from 8:30am to 12noon Eastern time on Thanksgiving Day and has been televised nationally on NBC since 1952. According to New York Dearest website, more than 45 million people tune in to watch the parade on TV.

According to The Wrap, "As of 2024, NBC pays Macy's $20 million per year for the license to be the parade's official broadcaster; the parade earns a substantial profit for the network, with ad buys averaging $900,000 per 30-second commercial in 2023 — a fee comparable to NBC Sunday Night Football — bringing in a gross revenue of $52 million."

A unique aspect of working at Macy’s is that Macy’s employees have the option of marching in the parade. Would you march? Happy Thanksgiving!

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Image Credit: Macy's.