Holiday celebrations commenced across Universal Orlando Resort on November 17, bringing with them the introduction of several new treats and the return of many fan-favorite entertainment offerings. Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s re-commenced performances at Universal Studios Florida as seasonal festivities started, culminating the park’s first day of yuletide offerings in grand fashion. Performances occur each day during the holiday season at 5:30 p.m.; the parade is scheduled to run through December 31, 2023.
Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s Returns For 2023
Performances of the parade are scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., but Friday’s parade was slightly delayed due to inclement weather, commencing around 5:45 p.m. The November 17 version of the parade also seemed to be weather-modified, as balloons flew close to the ground. There was also an absence of performers on stilts and roller dresses, and no confetti or snow fell from the sky.
We caught the parade in front of the Christmas tree in the New York section of the park, but it also runs through the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida.
Dancers wearing blue fur-lined winter garb lead the first float into view. They dance on the street and wave to guests before a snowflake float approaches behind them. The white and blue snowflake rotates and contains the Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s logo in addition to the icons of franchises from which the parade’s featured characters originate.
The performers who normally wear roller dresses were walking in tonight’s performance of the parade.
Dancing snowmen and sky-blue snowflakes follow the initial float. They lead in two large inflatable stars that are topped with Santa hats. White snowflakes are printed across the stars.
The snowflake stilt walkers were also on the ground rather than towering above guests.
Performers dressed in festive Minion attire appear after the stars. They wear yellow shirts and pants, denim overalls, and festive headbands as they usher in a large Christmas tree float. Several Minions emerge from the lit tree that’s surrounded with Christmas gifts at its base.
The Minions motif continues with the next inflatable, which depicts Tim Bob emerging from a Minion snowman-lined stocking.
Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes, and Lucy Wile appear on the next float, which is followed by a grand Minions display that features the rambunctious characters attempting to launch a rocket-powered sled.
A large Minion inflatable closes out the “Despicable Me” portion of the parade.
“Madagascar” characters appear in the next section of the parade. Several penguins appear on an airplane-fashioned float that’s carrying several Christmas gifts and a box marked as “fragile.”
The next inflatable depicts a ramshackle hot air balloon piloted by a penguin.
Dancing performers dressed as lemurs welcome the next float, which contains King Julien sitting atop a stack of presents next to palm trees. This float is followed by a large pineapple inflatable that has a gift label: it reads “To Julien, From Julien.”
A large Gingerbread Man inflatable commences the “Shrek” portion of the performance. He wears a Santa hat and holds gumdrop buttons — yes, the gumdrop buttons.
The next float showcases a treat-constructed house that features candy cane trim.
The Three Little Pigs emerge from the float; they’re followed by the Three Blind Mice and the Big Bad Wolf, who dance on the street.
They’re followed by an inflatable of a dronkey, one of the children of Donkey and Dragon. They wear a Christmas light-lined collar.
General fairy tale characters trail the dronkey, leading in the final “Shrek” float.
It depicts Shrek and Fiona dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus. They stand behind an open storybook that features one of their children. Pinocchio crosses his arms next to the book as Dragon emerges from behind Shrek’s swamp home.
Toy-themed balloons follow the Shrek displays.
A steam engine toy train leads in a large rocking horse float and an inflatable nutcracker.
Performers dressed in heavy red jackets and green Santa hats walk in front of a Christmas tree-lined reindeer float, the final display before Santa himself appears.
The Universal Studios Florida Christmas tree lights turn on as Santa passes on his float.
His float depicts his sleigh flying over the globe.
Large golden stars with white snowflakes and the “Macy’s” logo close out the parade.
The parade is largely the same as it has been in years past, with no new floats appearing this year. There are a few subtle differences, but these are likely temporary due to Friday’s weather.
Watch the parade below:
Check out our other coverage of holiday celebrations across Universal Orlando Resort:
- PHOTOS, VIDEO: Watch the Story of ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ During ‘Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular’ at Universal Islands of Adventure
- PHOTOS, VIDEO: The Grinch Meet and Greet Returns to Seuss Landing for the Holiday Season at Universal Orlando
- 2023 Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast Menu Released
Do you plan to catch Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s in person this year? Let us know in the comments.
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