Universal Orlando Is Bringing 100 Years of Macy’s Parade Magic to Its Holiday Tribute Store

Universal Orlando’s Holiday Tribute Store is returning for 2026, and this year’s theme is celebrating a pretty big milestone in holiday history!

The holidays are almost here at Universal Orlando Resort, and while we’re getting ready for the return of Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, there’s another festive tradition making its return. Universal Studios Florida’s popular Holiday Tribute Store is coming back with an all-new theme, and this year’s experience will take guests through a century of holiday parade history.

Universal Orlando has officially revealed that its 2026 Holiday Tribute Store will celebrate NBCUniversal’s legacy in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, bringing together iconic moments from the parade’s history with immersive holiday environments and exclusive merchandise.

The announcement comes as Universal prepares to kick off its resort-wide holiday celebration on November 14, 2026, with festivities continuing through January 3, 2027.

Universal’s 2026 Holiday Tribute Store Celebrates 100 Years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Each year, Universal Orlando’s Tribute Stores give guests an immersive shopping experience that goes beyond traditional theme park merchandise locations. The stores feature elaborately themed rooms, detailed displays, and exclusive collections inspired by seasonal events and Universal’s entertainment properties.

For the 2026 holiday season, Universal is turning its attention to one of the most recognizable holiday traditions in the country: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year’s Holiday Tribute Store will celebrate 100 years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade history, highlighting memorable moments from the past century.

Guests can expect richly themed environments inspired by iconic parade moments, with winter magic brought to life throughout the store. While Universal hasn’t revealed the individual rooms or specific displays included in this year’s experience, the anniversary theme opens the door for some pretty interesting possibilities.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become synonymous with giant character balloons, festive floats, and holiday entertainment, and we’re especially curious to see which moments Universal chooses to highlight inside the store.

NEW Holiday Merchandise and Limited-Release Collectibles Are Coming

Of course, the Holiday Tribute Store isn’t just about the decorations. Universal has confirmed that the 2026 store will feature exclusive holiday merchandise, limited-release collectibles, and seasonal surprises throughout the experience.

Guests can expect merchandise celebrating Universal Orlando’s holiday traditions, along with collections inspired by the resort’s seasonal characters and experiences. One of the biggest merchandise announcements this year involves a familiar face who is getting quite a bit of attention this holiday season.

Earl the Squirrel Is Getting NEW Merchandise for His Macy’s Balloon Debut

Universal Orlando’s beloved holiday character, Earl the Squirrel, is getting his own new merchandise collection in celebration of his upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon debut.

The collection will include:

• Apparel featuring Earl the Squirrel
• Accessories celebrating the holiday character
• Collectibles inspired by Earl’s Macy’s balloon debut

As previously announced, Earl is getting his very own 30.4-foot-tall balloon for the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The balloon will feature Earl wearing his signature winter cap and holding his favorite blue lightbulb.

Following its debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Earl’s balloon will join Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida in December. Universal has not yet announced the exact date the balloon will begin appearing in the Orlando parade.

The new merchandise collection will celebrate this milestone for the character, giving Earl fans another reason to check out Universal’s holiday shopping offerings.

Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s Returns for 2026

The Tribute Store’s theme also ties directly into one of Universal Orlando’s biggest returning holiday experiences. Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s returns to Universal Studios Florida for the 2026 holiday season.

The nightly parade features larger-than-life balloons and elaborately decorated floats inspired by characters from Illumination’s Despicable Me and DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar.

The parade also features traditional holiday elements, with the celebration culminating in Santa Claus leading the lighting of the park’s Christmas tree.

With the Holiday Tribute Store celebrating Macy’s parade history and Earl the Squirrel joining the balloon lineup later in the season, Universal is giving guests multiple ways to celebrate the parade’s milestone anniversary.

Universal Orlando’s 2026 holiday celebration officially begins November 14, 2026, and continues through January 3, 2027. The Holiday Tribute Store will be located inside Universal Studios Florida, meaning guests will need valid theme park admission to visit. Universal has not yet shared a detailed look at the store’s interior or its complete merchandise lineup, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for more information as the holiday season gets underway.