The holidays have started at Universal Studios Florida and that means the return of Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s. This seasonal parade incorporates favorite Universal characters and smaller versions of Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade-style balloons.

Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s

A pair of cheerful snowmen plus several dancers in wintry blue costumes start the parade, preceding the title float.

The first float is a large light-up snowflake with blue neon details. The screen in the middle displays the parade name as well as the logos of the different Universal franchises represented in the parade: Despicable Me, Madagascar, and Shrek.

A quartet of snowflake stilt dancers follows, as well as a large blue star balloon with snowflakes and the Macy’s logo.

Despicable Me and the Minions are the first franchise section, with three floats and two balloons.

The first Minions float features a Christmas tree decked with several of the yellow henchmen among the lit bulbs and baubles. A banana is under the tree along with several presents. It’s followed by a large balloon of Bob’s teddy bear in a red stocking printed with a Minion snowman design.

Speaking of Bob, here he is in big balloon form, wearing a red sweater and carrying a Christmas card that says “Love.” He’s accompanied by the second float, themed to an ice skating rink; Agnes, Edith, Margo, and Gru wave from the front.

The final Minions float is of a Santa Minion piloting a rocket sleigh off a ski jumping ramp into a Christmas tree. Several Minions surround the chaotic scene building a snowman, having a snowball fight, or waiting to ski.

The Penguins of Madagascar lead the next section, riding in their antique plane decorated with a wreath and surrounded by presents and crates. They’re all festively dressed for the season with sweaters, scarves, antlers, and other accessories.

They’re followed by a balloon of Rico appearing to pop out of the snowy ground wielding a candy-cane hammer.

Lemur dancers precede the arrival of King Julien, who rides atop a throne of presents on a small island float with palm trees.

The main Madagascar crew closes out their section, with Alex, Gloria, Marty, and Melman all here to celebrate among presents and snow.

The final franchise in the parade is Shrek, and a giant Gingerbread Man balloon starts off their section. He’s wearing a Santa hat and holding three gumdrops.

The Three Little Pigs follow behind in a gingerbread house float with glowing gumdrops and candy cane trees.

A Santa hat-wearing Donkey pops out of a mountain of presents wrapped with Shrek-themed paper on his own small float.

Flying close behind is a balloon of a Dronkey wearing a wreath around its neck and grinning mischievously.

Three pairs of dancers in medieval attire are next, along with Puss in Boots clad in festive red cape and hat trimmed with white fur.

Finally, Shrek, Fiona, and Dragon finish their section. They ride on a float of their swamp home covered in snow and decorated for the holidays with a wreath and garland. Dragon relaxes on their roof and blows smoke from her nostrils. Shrek wears a red Santa suit while Fiona is in a green velvet dress.

The final part of the parade features traditional Christmas elements and is started by dancers dressed as different childhood toys, including blocks, robots, and dolls.

A giant toy train with three elves follows behind. Following the engine is a car with a large candy cane-striped present, while the caboose is festooned with candy details.

The second toy-themed float that follows is brand new for 2025. This float is fronted by a drumming nutcracker accompanied by a toy robot and teddy bear riding on the sides. Blocks, a sailboat, and a top are among the oversized toys on the float.

A corp of nutcrackers on stilts precedes the giant nutcracker balloon.

Now it’s time for the finale. Before we see the big man, there are two floats featuring golden cutouts of Santa’s reindeer taking flight from among lighted trees, separated by troupes of dancers walking on stilts and dressed as elves, respectively.

Santa Claus closes the parade, flying in on his sleigh over rooftops and above a glowing, rotating globe. The neon swirls around him glow green, red, and white.

One last pair of golden star Macy’s balloons follows Santa on the parade route.

Watch our full video of this year’s parade:

Do you enjoy the Universal Holiday Parade? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

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