Underdog will fly high once again at Macy’s 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade, returning for the first time in 42 years.
This momentous occasion brings a very familiar face back to New York City for one of the event’s biggest celebrations yet.
The caped canine will join the lineup for the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 26. Macy’s announced the character’s return earlier this year, describing the new balloon as a reimagined version of Underdog. It will take to the skies for the first time since 1984.
New Yorkers got an early look at the returning character on Monday, October 19, when the balloon was displayed at Grand Central Terminal. Underdog’s signature blue cape was on full display as the character made a preview appearance ahead of the Thanksgiving festivities.
Underdog has a long history with the parade. The character appeared in every lineup from 1965 through 1984, making the upcoming return a notable reunion for viewers who remember seeing the balloon during its original run. The 42-year absence also means an entirely new generation of parade watchers will get to see Underdog flying over Manhattan for the first time.
The timing is especially fitting. Macy’s is marking the parade’s 100th edition with a lineup designed to celebrate its history while introducing new attractions. The event will feature a record 100 inflatable elements, including the new Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey balloon. Other returning characters will appear on the Macy’s Parade All-Stars float, which brings together familiar faces from past parades.
Underdog isn’t the only nostalgic addition planned for the centennial. Felix the Cat is also returning to the parade, while the Blue Hippopotamus, last seen after the 1931 parade, is set to make a comeback of its own. Macy’s has also announced new characters and attractions for the milestone event, including Snoopy’s alter ego Joe Cool and his trusty pal Woodstock.
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 26, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. The parade will air nationwide on NBC and Telemundo, with streaming available on Peacock.
For Underdog, the return marks the end of a decades-long absence from a holiday tradition that helped make the character a familiar sight to generations of viewers. This time, the superhero in a blue cape gets to fly again as part of the parade’s landmark 100th celebration.
