Macy's 100th parade balloons test-fly at Balloonfest: Joe Cool, Bluey, Underdog and Popeye's return

The newest giant balloons for the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade got their first time in the air on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Balloonfest, the parade's annual test flight above the MetLife Stadium lots in East Rutherford, N.J., the New York Post reported. The centennial march steps off Thursday, Nov. 26.

The new balloons

• Joe Cool and Woodstock: Snoopy's sunglasses-wearing alter ego, in a red sweater, carrying Woodstock. It replaces last year's Beagle Scout Snoopy, according to The Exploreist.
• Bluey: a new design based on the "Christmas Swim" episode, with a paper crown, more than 47 feet tall.
• Underdog: the cartoon superhero flew every year from 1965 to 1984 and returns for the first time since then, the Post said.
• Buckaroo Bob the Minion: the "Despicable Me" character in cowboy gear riding a banana like a bronco.
• Hello Kitty: holding a giant red apple as a nod to New York; her first parade balloon since 2017, The Exploreist reported.
• Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey: the "Fantasia" look, Mickey's 21st balloon appearance since his 1934 debut.
• Billie Brightpaw: a new bear character created by Macy's, in a red hat and scarf.

Other balloons in the 2026 lineup include Buzz Lightyear, Pikachu and Eevee, Spider-Man, SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary, Smokey Bear, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Marshall from PAW Patrol and Derpy Tiger from "KPop Demon Hunters," and Felix the Cat, the parade's first character balloon in 1927, is coming back, New York Family reported.

Popeye's comeback, on a float

Popeye first appeared in the parade in 1939 and had a 29-year run, amNY reported. For the 100th march he, Olive Oyl and Swee'Pea will be featured on the Macy's Parade All-Stars float rather than as giant balloons. "Their return honors a cherished Thanksgiving tradition," parade producer Jordan Dabby told amNY. New York Family said the same float will also carry Bullwinkle and Sonic the Hedgehog. King Features is running new Popeye Sunday comics about the return through November.

New floats also include Hogwarts Holiday, 1-2-3 Sesame Street, Mr. Peanut's Power Plant and a tribute to Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who helped shape the early parade, according to New York Family.

How to watch

• When: Thursday, Nov. 26. TV coverage on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starts at 8:30 a.m., The Exploreist reported.
• Route: from West 77th Street and Central Park West to Macy's Herald Square on West 34th Street, the Post said.
• Cost: watching from the sidewalk is free.
• Why 100th, not 102nd: the parade began in 1924 but was suspended from 1942 to 1944 during World War II, so 2026 is the 100th march.