The Doughboy's Favorite Thanksgiving Morning Tradition: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

For many of us, Thanksgiving morning is about more than just getting ready for the big meal (and deciding which pair of stretchy pants to wear, too). It’s about being with family for the kickoff to the holiday season, cuddled up on comfy couches clad in cozy jammies, and watching the TV as larger-than-life balloons fly high among the skyscrapers of New York City’s streets.

When you were a kid, you might remember sitting right there in front of the TV, Mom and Dad bustling around in the background, everyone gathering together at the table later that day to a sprawling Thanksgiving dinner spread that seemed to magically appear out of nowhere. Nowadays, you might be the one who spends more time in the kitchen than in the living room, the sounds of marching bands in the distance accompanying your Thanksgiving meal prep. And yet, you still find as much delight today in seeing your own little ones watch the Pillsbury Doughboy balloon float across the screen—licking their fingers clean of cinnamon roll icing or sweet biscuit crumbs—as you did when you sat there yourself years ago.

Whether you’re one of the faithful 50 million viewers to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from home every year, or you find yourself being more of an onlooker from behind the kitchen counter these days, let the Doughboy be a part of your family’s holiday morning and catch the parade broadcast on NBC at 9 a.m. (all time zones) on November 28. (Bonus: If you’re in town, you can pick your best viewing spot by looking at the 2019 parade route.)

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade made its debut in the 1920s, when many of the employees at Macy’s were first-generation immigrants. They wanted to celebrate the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving with a type of festival their European parents had loved. The first Macy’s holiday parade was held in 1924, and since then has grown exponentially to include more than 60 balloon variations (with fun names like “balloonicles” and “trycallons”).

The giant Pillsbury Doughboy balloon had his own debut in 2009 and in the past 10 years, we think he’s only gotten better with age!

Your Thanksgiving morning viewing party deserves a special Thanksgiving morning breakfast! Pair your family’s living room festivities with any of these delicious Doughboy-approved recipes.