Search
Art & Culture

8 of the Most Artful Balloons from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

See designs by Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, and Takashi Murakami

By Ashley Petras
Large character balloons float between skyscrapers at a parade, viewed from a low angle against a cloudy sky.
Takashi Murakami’s *Kaikai and Kiki* at the 84th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2010, in New York City. Photo: Joe Kohen, Getty Images

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an iconic tradition that has captivated viewers on the streets of New York as well as millions of Americans at home for the past 92 years. From larger-than-life character balloons and marching bands to musical performances and over-the-top floats, it is the most spectacular celebration of the holiday season.

In recent years, the parade has included several art-inspired balloons from Macy’s Blue Sky Gallery series, featuring artworks by a number of renowned contemporary artists. For this year’s Thanksgiving celebration, the acclaimed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her immersive installations and distinctive patterned works, has contributed a balloon titled Love Flies Up to the Sky. The design references Kusama’s face motifs from her painting series “My Eternal Soul” and features around 300 hand-painted dots.

Leading up to this year’s parade, we share some of the most dynamic artistic balloon designs that have been featured in celebrations from past years:

Large red octopus balloon with white spots floats above a group of people walking in a parking lot.
Love Flies Up to the Sky by Yayoi Kusama in 2019. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

1. Love Flies Up to the Sky by Yayoi Kusama (2019)

Large red balloon character floats in a city parade, surrounded by tall buildings and spectators.
Humpty Dumpty by Tom Otterness in 2005. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

2. Humpty Dumpty by Tom Otterness (2005)

Large silver balloon shaped like a rabbit floats above a crowded city street with tall buildings and colorful billboards.
Rabbit by Jeff Koons passing through Times Square in 2007. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

3. Rabbit by Jeff Koons (2007)

Parade with large heart balloon float and people dressed in matching costumes walking down a street.
Figure with Heart by Keith Haring in 2008. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

4. Figure with Heart by Keith Haring (2008)

Recommended: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Will Get an Artful New Addition

Giant inflatable characters floating in a city parade with tall buildings in the background
Kaikai and Kiki by Takashi Murakami in 2010. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

5. Kaikai and Kiki by Takashi Murakami (2010)

Giant cartoon balloon of blue character with striped outfit floating in New York City during a parade near tall buildings.
Tim Burton’s “B. Boy” in 2011. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

6. B. Boy by Tim Burton (2011)

Giant balloon figure with crossed-out eyes and gloved hands covering face, floating between city buildings.
Companion by KAWS in 2012. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

7. Companion by KAWS (2012)

Cloud-shaped balloon floats above costumed parade participants in a festive outdoor event.
Little Cloud by FriendsWithYou in 2018. Courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

8. Little Cloud by FriendsWithYou (2018)

The 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off on November 28 and will be broadcast nationally on NBC, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in all time zones.