The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® is not just a holiday tradition—it’s a celebration of how intellectual property powers large-scale events. At the center is the federally registered trademark MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE®, which protects the parade’s name, prevents misuse, and reinforces Macy’s brand identity.
The parade also brings together a variety of copyrightable works, from musical performances and choreography to sculptural balloon designs. Broadcast rights further layer the IP landscape, giving networks exclusive control over recording and airing the event.
Perhaps the most visible IP elements are the licensed character balloons—from the Pillsbury® Doughboy® to Mario®. These appear through carefully negotiated licensing agreements that allow Macy’s to feature beloved characters while giving IP owners valuable national visibility.
All together, the parade functions as a living example of how trademarks, copyrights, and licensing work in harmony—proving that intellectual property is as essential to the production as the balloons themselves.
