New Bluey Christmas-Themed Balloon to Debut at the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®

News provided by

Oct 05, 2026, 09:00 ET

Bluey Wears a Christmas Crown from a Fan-Favorite Episode "Christmas Swim"

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, BBC Studios and Macy's announced that a brand-new giant Bluey balloon inspired by the fan-favorite Christmas episode will take to the skies above New York City as part of the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®. Featuring Bluey wearing her festive Christmas crown, the new balloon celebrates one of the series' family holiday moments.

BBC Studios and Macy’s announced that a brand-new Bluey balloon inspired by the fan-favorite "Christmas Swim" episode will take to the skies above New York City as part of the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®.

Bluey "Christmas Swim" episode. Credit: Ludo Studio.

In the "Christmas Swim" episode, streaming on Disney+, Bluey and her family gather for a classic Aussie Christmas with a big BBQ by the pool. The holiday-themed balloon draws inspiration from the memorable BBQ scene where everyone celebrates Christmas together, pulling crackers and wearing the crowns. With a unique pose designed by Ludo Studio and created by Macy's Parade Studio's team of artists, the balloon measures 47-feet long, 27.8-feet wide and 47.2-feet tall.

Melanie Zanetti and Dave McCormack, the much-loved voices behind Bluey's parents, Mum (Chilli) and Dad (Bandit), will be in New York to experience the Parade for real life.

"Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade creates tradition and can't-miss holiday celebrations for millions of fans around the world," said Jordan Dabby, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade producer. "As one of the world's most beloved characters, Bluey has captured the hearts of families across generations. We are thrilled to welcome her back for our 100th Parade as she once again takes flight above New York City, continuing a cherished Thanksgiving tradition."

"Bluey and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade share something special: they bring generations together," said Suzy Raia, EVP of Global Consumer Products at BBC Studios. "We're honored to celebrate the Parade's 100th anniversary in New York City with a festive new Bluey balloon and be part of a holiday tradition enjoyed by millions."

For two consecutive years, Bluey has ranked as the most-streamed title in the U.S. according to Nielsen, a streak that has continued into 2026, where it currently holds the #1 spot for the first half of the year.* All episodes of the Emmy®-winning series, including "Christmas Swim" and "Veranda Santa," are available to stream, along with the Bluey Collection, on Disney+, through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Kids & Family. The series also airs on Disney Jr. and Disney Channel.

Bluey is now featured at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line. Next year, the excitement continues for Bluey fans with The Bluey Movie coming to the theaters on August 6, 2027.

Bluey first took flight in the Macy's Parade in 2022. From 2023 through 2025, her iconic red Keepy Uppy balloon helped play the world's biggest game of "Keepy Uppy" through the streets of New York City. In 2024, fan-favorite Grannies Rita and Gladys made a surprise appearance aboard their Grannies Car, delighting Parade-goers along the route.

As in previous years, Bluey's official website Bluey.tv and social platforms will bring fans closer to the celebration with exclusive behind-the-scenes Bluey content and Parade-week moments, to help extend the experience for families watching from home in Australia and around the globe. For more on Bluey's Aussie Christmas, from free downloadable crafts to pop activations and much more, visit Bluey.tv/christmas.

How to Watch the Celebration

Audiences nationwide can watch the 100^th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 26 on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. To follow and participate in the excitement, check out @macys on various social platforms and follow #MacysParade. For more information, visit macys.com/parade.

Sources:
* Source: Nielsen National TV Panel, U.S., Nielsen Streaming Content Ratings (Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and Netflix), Live viewing Jan 1- August 31, 2026. Persons 2+. Ranked by Total Minutes Viewed.

About Bluey
Bluey follows a loveable, inexhaustible blue heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister, Bingo. Bluey uses her limitless energy to play games that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family and the whole neighbourhood into her world of fun. Celebrated for its humour, warmth and relatable portrayal of everyday family life, Bluey has earned a devoted global audience through stories grounded in play, emotional truth and authentic moments that resonate across generations. A true phenomenon, Bluey is one of the most loved and watched family entertainment brands, captivating adults and children alike.

The series airs and streams to U.S. and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Kids & Family. In Australia, the show is broadcast on ABC.

Bluey is the creation of writer and director Joe Brumm and is produced by multiple Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio. Commissioned by BBC Studios Kids & Family and ABC Children's, BBC Studios brings Bluey to audiences internationally through distribution and licensing. The first-ever feature film, The Bluey Movie, lands in cinemas on August 6, 2027. Written and directed by Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio in collaboration with BBC Studios, the CG-animated feature marks the big screen debut for Bluey and her family. BBC Studios is financing and licensing the picture with theatrical distribution through Walt Disney Studios.

About Ludo Studio
Ludo Studio is a BAFTA, multi-Emmy®, Logie and Peabody award-winning Australian studio and one of TIME's Most Influential Companies of 2024, that creates and produces original scripted drama, animation and digital stories that are authored by incredible local talent, distributed globally and loved by audiences everywhere. ludostudio.com.au

About BBC Studios Brands & Licensing
The BBC Studios Brands & Licensing division is the driving force in extending BBC Studios IP through innovative brand extensions, fostering deep fan engagement worldwide. Partnering our iconic brands - including Doctor Who and Bluey - with the world's biggest brands, promoters, and publishers, ignites the imagination of fans and creates memorable brand-fame moments. Our diverse portfolio spans consumer products, live entertainment, gaming, and publishing, while BBC Studios Digital drives over 1 billion views per month, offering advertising and branded content opportunities. Supported by award-winning teams, we focus on finding visionary opportunities to enhance global brand impact and digital growth.

SOURCE BBC Studios