Super Mario soars into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for its 40th anniversary
Nintendo celebrates 40 years of Super Mario Bros. with an enormous Mario balloon soaring over Manhattan.
Mario is set to make his debut as a featured character balloon in the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nintendo of America and Macy’s announced the massive new balloon will take flight over Manhattan on Thursday, November 27, as a festive tribute to the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game, which first launched in Japan in 1985.
This is a historic moment that adds one of gaming’s most recognizable icons to the famed holiday tradition.“Since he first emerged from a Warp Pipe, Mario has embodied our goal of bringing smiles to faces all over the world,” said Devon Pritchard, EVP of Revenue, Marketing & Consumer Experience at Nintendo of America, anticipating the joy this new balloon will bring to fans of all ages. “We are excited for Mario fans of all ages to see his new balloon’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut.”
On Nov 27, Mario will take to the skies of New York City at the #MacysParade, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game. Here’s a first look at the 3D model of the new Mario balloon! @Macys pic.twitter.com/bginx8jcFl
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 24, 2025
An Epic Balloon for an Epic Hero
The new Mario balloon represents a massive undertaking by the talented team at Macy’s Parade Studio in partnership with Nintendo. The final creation is enormous, measuring in at 51-feet and 2-inches long, 37-feet wide, and an impressive 43-feet and 8-inches tall.
The design captures the familiar hero in his classic look: blue overalls and his signature red cap. To give the balloon a dynamic flair, Mario strikes a flying pose directly inspired by the beloved game Super Mario Galaxy. This action-packed posture will surely resonate with players, showcasing Mario’s long history of daring feats beyond the Mushroom Kingdom and providing a fantastic visual for all watching the parade. Jordan Dabby, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, called Mario’s inclusion “a historic milestone and a joyful celebration,” underscoring how this debut will have families cheering.
When and where to watch Mario at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Fans traveling to New York City for the holiday can extend their celebration by visiting Nintendo NEW YORK. Located near the iconic Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza, the store will be powering up the holiday cheer with special décor and plenty of Nintendo-themed magic. The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air in the U.S. on NBC and stream on Peacock from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in all time zones.
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