New Mario Balloon to Debut at 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary

Nintendo of America and Macy’s have joined forces to commemorate a major milestone in gaming history: the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.

This year, fans can look forward to the highly anticipated debut of a brand-new Mario balloon at the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, taking place on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

The partnership between Nintendo and Macy’s marks a significant celebration of Mario’s evolution from a classic video game character to a global pop culture icon. Mario, the beloved protagonist of Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros.

franchise, first made his debut in Japan in 1985.

Since then, he has not only become a flagship character for Nintendo, but also a symbol recognized by millions worldwide through games, merchandise, theme parks, and film appearances.

The introduction of a new Mario balloon at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade pays tribute to decades of joy the character has inspired across multiple generations. Devon Pritchard, Executive Vice President of Revenue, Marketing & Consumer Experience at Nintendo of America, expressed that Mario’s presence at the parade represents a fitting tribute to “forty years of Super Mario Bros.” Pritchard emphasized that since Mario’s very first appearance, Nintendo has aimed to bring smiles to fans around the world, and the new balloon is an extension of that mission, sure to delight Mario enthusiasts of all ages. The giant Mario balloon—crafted by the skilled artists at Macy’s Parade Studio in collaboration with Nintendo—measures an impressive 51 feet and 2 inches long, 37 feet wide, and 43 feet and 8 inches tall.

Mario’s iconic appearance features the classic blue overalls and red cap, depicted in a dynamic flying pose directly inspired by the critically acclaimed game, Super Mario Galaxy, which originally launched on the Nintendo Wii and remains popular on the Nintendo Switch. Jordan Dabby, producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, stated that the parade has always celebrated beloved animated characters and is thrilled to include Mario as part of this year’s festivities.

Dabby noted that Mario’s journey over four decades has inspired players and families globally, making his inclusion a “historic milestone and a joyful celebration.” Mario’s ever-expanding legacy has extended beyond gaming into new media, with notable releases on platforms like Nintendo Switch—including Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Bros.

Wonder, Super Mario Maker 2, and Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2.

On April 3, 2026, Mario will return to cinema screens in 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,' a new animated film from Nintendo and Illumination, bringing adventure to theaters worldwide. Parade-goers and holiday travelers in New York City can further immerse themselves in the Mario universe by visiting Nintendo NEW YORK at Rockefeller Plaza.

The flagship store will be decked out for the season, offering special décor and exclusive Nintendo merchandise, as well as events during the holiday period.

Follow @NintendoStoreUS on Instagram and X for the latest updates. The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast nationwide on NBC and stream live via Peacock from 8:30 a.m.

to 12:00 p.m.

across all time zones.

To join in on the festivities and follow the Mario balloon’s flight, fans can engage via social media using #MacysParade and visit Macy’s official website for more information.

For comprehensive details on the ongoing Super Mario Bros.

40th anniversary celebrations, Nintendo’s official portal offers the latest news and updates.

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