The 47-foot Bluey balloon wears a Christmas crown and debuts at the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, with the voices of Bandit and Chilli in New York to watch it fly.
Bluey is showing up to Thanksgiving dressed for Christmas.
Macy’s and BBC Studios announced on Monday, Oct. 5, that a brand-new Bluey balloon will make its debut at the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 26.
This version of Bluey is wearing a Christmas crown. The design comes from the episode “Christmas Swim.”
Bluey’s official channel posted the news, too:
How big is the new Bluey balloon?
Big. The balloon is 47 feet long, 27.8 feet wide and 47.2 feet tall.
That’s roughly the height of a four-story building, floating down Sixth Avenue.
Ludo Studio, the Brisbane, Australia, studio that makes the show, designed it. Macy’s Parade Studio built it.
Why is Bluey wearing a Christmas crown at a Thanksgiving parade?
The parade ends with Santa, so a little Christmas is always on the menu. But the episode choice is a sneaky bit of Australia, too.
Bluey is made in Australia, where Christmas falls in the middle of summer. So a title like “Christmas Swim” makes perfect sense there. A dip in the pool on Christmas Day is a normal holiday plan.
In New York in late November, that balloon will be flying over people in winter coats.
“Bluey and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade share something special: they bring generations together,” said Suzy Raia, executive vice president of global consumer products at BBC Studios.
Jordan Dabby, the parade’s producer, called Bluey “one of the world’s most beloved characters.”
Who from Bluey will be at the Macy’s parade?
Melanie Zanetti and Dave McCormack, the voices of Chilli and Bandit, will be at the parade in New York.
McCormack had a music career long before he was a cartoon dad. He fronted the Brisbane rock band, Custard.
When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2026?
The 100th parade airs Thursday, Nov. 26, starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo.
If you’re doing the math, the first parade was in 1924. It hits No. 100 in 2026 because there were no parades from 1942 to 1944, during World War II.
Has Bluey been in the Macy’s parade before?
Yes, this is a return trip. Bluey first appeared in the parade in 2022.
From 2023 through 2025, the parade also had her red Keepy Uppy balloon, from the episode where Bluey, Bingo, and Bandit try to keep a balloon off the floor. In 2024, the Grannies showed up too, riding in the Grannies Car.
Those are the old-lady characters Bluey and Bingo like to pretend to be.
Can the Bluey balloon get grounded by wind?
It can. A 47-foot balloon only flies if the weather cooperates.
Under New York City rules, the giant balloons can be kept on the ground if sustained winds top 23 mph or gusts top 34 mph. So if you’re planning around Bluey, check the forecast the night before.
The route runs from 77th Street and Central Park West down to Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street. TV viewers get the full show either way.
Where to watch Bluey in the U.S.
Every episode of Bluey streams on Disney+. The show also airs on Disney Junior and Disney Channel.
The family is headed to the big screen next. The Bluey Movie opens in theaters Aug. 6, 2027, from Walt Disney Studios, BBC Studios and Ludo Studio. Creator Joe Brumm is writing and directing, and Zanetti and McCormack are back as Chilli and Bandit.
The parade is a nice warm-up for that. Bluey gets New York in November, then movie theaters next August.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
PR Newswire (Oct. 5, 2026), Macy’s and BBC Studios’ balloon announcement, dimensions, quotes, parade history and broadcast details
Bluey Official Channel on YouTube (Oct. 5, 2026), the balloon announcement video
Associated Press (Nov. 2019), New York City’s wind limits for parade balloons
TheWrap (Sept. 2025), The Bluey Movie release date, studios, Joe Brumm and returning voice cast
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