Earl the Squirrel Is Getting His Own Macy’s Balloon, and It’s the Perfect Reason to Book Universal Orlando for the Holidays

The Earl the Squirrel balloon makes its Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut on Nov. 26, then joins Universal’s Holiday Parade in December. Here’s how to plan your holiday trip.

Did you hear about the Earl the Squirrel balloon? Yes, that Earl the Squirrel! Universal Orlando’s most mischievous holiday icon is about to become its biggest. Universal Orlando Resort announced that Earl the Squirrel will make his giant balloon debut in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 26. After his big day in Manhattan, the Earl the Squirrel balloon heads south to join Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida starting in early December.

This is the first time Universal Orlando has had its own dedicated balloon in the New York City parade, which makes the 2026 holiday season a genuinely special one to visit. If you have been on the fence about a Christmas trip to Orlando, consider this your sign. Here is everything you need to know about Earl’s debut, plus how to plan a holiday vacation that puts you right on the parade route.

Who Is Earl the Squirrel?

Earl’s story goes back nearly two decades. According to Universal, the resort’s Entertainment team found a real squirrel living in the branches of the giant Christmas tree at Universal Studios Florida. This little guy had a soft spot for blue Christmas lights and kept swiping strands to take back to his nest.

Instead of shooing him off, Universal turned him into a legend. Over the years, Earl has gone from a lifelike squirrel hidden in the tree for guests to spot, to a merchandise star, to a walkaround character fans line up to meet. Now he gets the ultimate holiday promotion: a giant helium balloon floating down New York’s streets.

The Earl the Squirrel Balloon by the Numbers

Detail	What to Know
Size	30.4 feet tall and 14.5 feet wide
Design	Earl holding a blue Christmas light (of course) while wearing his signature winter cap
New York debut	Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
How to watch	8:30 a.m. in all time zones on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo
Orlando debut	Early December in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida

Earl will not be the only NBCUniversal character in the sky on Thanksgiving morning. Universal says the 100th parade will also feature balloons of Shrek, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Underdog, the Minions, and Felix the Cat, the first character balloon in parade history, back in 1927. You can check the full lineup on Macy’s parade page.

Why Seeing Earl in Orlando Beats Watching on TV

Watching the Macy’s parade from your couch is a Thanksgiving tradition. Seeing giant balloons in person, in shorts, with a Butterbeer in hand, is a whole different level of holiday cheer.

Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s brings oversized balloons and floats inspired by Despicable Me, Shrek, and Madagascar to the streets of Universal Studios Florida, and the procession ends with Santa leading the lighting of the park’s Christmas tree. Starting in early December, Earl’s brand-new balloon joins the lineup, so families visiting later in the season can see the same balloon that just made history in New York.

Attractions Magazine reports that most parade performances step off at 5:30 p.m., but showtimes can change. Always check the Universal Orlando app on the day of your visit.

More Ways to Celebrate Earl This Season

The balloon is the headline, but Earl fans have plenty more to look forward to once the holidays begin on Nov. 14.

• Meet Earl in person. Earl will greet guests daily at Universal Studios Florida and on weekends at Universal CityWalk. The CityWalk appearances are a nice bonus because you don’t need a theme park ticket to visit CityWalk.
• Taste Earl’s Hazelnut Dot Cake. This new treat at Universal Studios Florida is a chocolate cake with hazelnut spread, topped with toasted hazelnuts and red-and-green dot sprinkles. Fitting for a squirrel.
• Shop the Holiday Tribute Store. This year’s store at Universal Studios Florida is themed to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, celebrating a century of parade moments. Look for all-new Earl apparel, accessories, and collectibles alongside exclusive holiday merchandise.

Everything Else Waiting at Universal Orlando This Holiday Season

Holidays at Universal Orlando run Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, a week earlier than last year’s start. Best of all, regular theme park admission includes the main holiday experiences. Highlights include:

• Grinchmas at Universal Islands of Adventure. The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular stage show returns to Seuss Landing, along with Grinch meet-and-greets and the Who-Ville Tree Lot.
• Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Now spanning all three theme parks, with festive décor in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and the Ministry of Magic, plus the nighttime projection show The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle at Islands of Adventure.
• Firsts at Universal Epic Universe. For the first time, holiday décor comes to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, while the winter wonderland of Celestial Park returns.
• Holiday fun at CityWalk. The Red Coconut Club transforms into the Green and Red Coconut Club, with seasonal décor, cocktails, and live entertainment.

Want to take things up a notch? These extras cost more but can be worth it for the right family:

Experience	Starting Price	Good to Know
Universal Holiday Tour	$69.99 per person, plus tax	About 2.5 hours on select dates through Jan. 2, 2027. Requires park-to-park admission to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Includes meet and greets with the Grinch and Santa, reserved Grinchmas seating and optional reserved parade viewing.
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast	$64.99 per adult, plus tax	Held at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous in Islands of Adventure. Theme park admission is separate, and pricing varies by date. You better act fast…this will sellout!

When to Visit to See the Earl the Squirrel Balloon

If seeing Earl’s balloon in the parade is a must, plan your park days for December. Universal has only said the balloon joins the Orlando parade in early December, so the safest bet is to schedule your Universal Studios Florida parade night for the second week of December or later.

A quick note for Thanksgiving travelers: Earl will be in New York that week, not Orlando. You can still meet the walkaround Earl, grab his cake, and enjoy everything else the season offers, but the balloon will not be in the park parade yet.

In our experience, the first half of December is a sweet spot for holiday visits, before school breaks begin. The week of Christmas through New Year’s Day is traditionally one of the busiest stretches of the entire year at Orlando theme parks, so expect bigger crowds, higher hotel rates, and longer lines if you travel then.

Holiday Planning Tips from Our Travel Advisors

• Look at the holiday 3-Day Ticket. Universal is offering a special 3-Day Ticket that includes access to Epic Universe, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Florida for $99 per day, plus tax. Ask us whether it fits your dates.
• Go park to park. The Holiday Parade is at Universal Studios Florida, while Grinchmas and the Hogwarts projection show are at Islands of Adventure. A park-to-park ticket lets you catch the parade and still hop over for the castle show the same night.
• Book the Holiday Tour early. Capacity is limited on select dates, and December fills up fast.
• Meet the Grinch early in the day. His line at Islands of Adventure can be long. Head there first, then circle back for Earl. However, we are hearing that this entertainment option will be different this year!
• Stake out your parade spot. Find your viewing spot well before showtime, especially on December weekends.
• Stay on site. Universal Orlando hotels put you minutes from the parks and CityWalk, which makes it easy to take an afternoon break before the evening parade. Many on-site hotels also include Early Park Admission, so check which parks open early on your travel dates.

Earl the Squirrel Balloon FAQ

When does the Earl the Squirrel balloon debut?

Earl’s balloon debuts Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, airing at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.

When can I see the Earl balloon at Universal Orlando?

The balloon joins Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida starting in early December 2026.

Are the holidays at Universal Orlando included with admission?

Yes. The main holiday experiences, including the parade, Grinchmas and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, are included with regular theme park admission. The Holiday Tour and Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast cost extra.

Where can I meet Earl the Squirrel?

Starting Nov. 14, Earl meets guests daily at Universal Studios Florida and on weekends at Universal CityWalk. Check the Universal Orlando app for times and locations.

How long do the holidays last at Universal Orlando?

The 2026 celebration runs from Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. For the latest details, visit Universal’s holiday page.

Let Us Plan Your Universal Orlando Holiday Trip

Earl waited nearly two decades for his moment in the spotlight. You do not have to wait that long for yours. Whether you want to see the Earl the Squirrel balloon float down Universal Studios Florida, sip Butterbeer under the Hogwarts holiday lights, or finally meet the Grinch, our travel advisors can build a holiday vacation around the dates, hotels, and tickets that work best for your family, at no extra cost to you. Request your free Universal Orlando holiday quote from Universal Family Vacations today.