The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returned to the streets of New York City on Thursday, November 27, 2025, delivering a spectacular celebration that ushered in the holiday season with record-breaking performances, dazzling new balloon characters, and elaborate themed floats. The iconic parade, which traces its roots back nearly a century, continued its tradition of bringing together over 5,000 volunteers, 34 giant character balloons, 28 elaborate floats, 11 marching bands, and 33 clown crews to create an unforgettable spectacle watched by millions across the nation.
Overview of the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade commenced at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on November 27, marking the earliest start time in recent years—30 minutes ahead of previous schedules. The three-and-a-half-hour extravaganza traversed the traditional 2.5-mile route beginning on the Upper West Side near the American Museum of Natural History on West 77th Street and Central Park West, proceeding down Sixth Avenue and concluding at Macy’s Herald Square flagship location on 34th Street.
The event was broadcast live on NBC and Peacock, with hosting duties handled by the returning team of Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker of the “Today” show. Despite Kotb’s announced departure from “Today” in early January 2026, the broadcasting legends united for one final parade coverage together, adding sentimental significance to this year’s celebration.
Record-Breaking Performances and Entertainment
This year’s parade showcased an impressive lineup of musical and theatrical performances from some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names. The opening featured Tony Award-winning vocalist Cynthia Erivo, whose powerful rendition set the tone for the day’s festivities. The parade also featured performances from multiple Grammy Award winners and platinum-selling artists, including Shaggy (performing from Jennie-O’s Big Turkey Spectacular float), Lainey Wilson, Ciara, Darlene Love (performing her iconic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”), Busta Rhymes, Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat, and Calum Scott.
The Rockettes, the legendary synchronized dance troupe traditionally associated with Radio City Music Hall, made their expected appearance, electrifying audiences with their precision choreography as they performed their way along the parade route. Additional performances came from Kool & the Gang, Jewel, Lil Jon, and an ensemble of Broadway performers who brought theatrical flair to the celebration.
New Balloons and Fan-Favorite Characters
Macy’s introduced five new character balloons to the 2025 parade lineup, expanding the parade’s roster of beloved oversized celebratory figures. Among the highly anticipated new additions were Buzz Lightyear from Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise, making his debut in the New York skies. Another notable new arrival was Wigglefoot, an imaginative creation featuring 16 animated legs that created a unique visual spectacle as it traversed the parade route.
Additional new balloon characters included Derpy Tiger from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” Pac-Man, and a specially designed character representing the holiday season’s magical themes. These new arrivals joined returning fan favorites including Spiderman, SpongeBob SquarePants, Pikachu and Eevee, Bluey, Shrek (riding in his Onion Carriage with fairytale companions), the Pillsbury Doughboy, Goku, Stuart the Minion, Dora the Explorer, Greg Heffely from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” and many others that have become cherished parts of holiday tradition.
Spectacular Floats and Themed Displays
The 2025 parade featured 28 elaborate floats, with seven new additions making their debut. These new floats presented innovative designs and incorporated trending pop culture themes. Notable new floats included representations of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” the “Upside Down Invasion” float showcasing themes from the hit series, and a creative Labubu-themed float standing 16 feet tall—a significant addition from the collectible art toy brand.
Other new floats featured winter wonderland scenes, including a Lego winter-themed creation and Holland America Line’s “Land of Ice and Wonder” cruise ship-inspired float featuring Alaskan landscapes and imagery. Serta, the bedding company, debuted a mattress-themed float, while Goldfish snack crackers made history by introducing what parade organizers claimed to be the smallest float in the parade’s history—measuring just eight inches tall and towed by a remote-controlled pickup truck.
Additional spectacular floats included Lindt’s Master Chocolatier Ballroom float (featuring ballet dancers Roman Mejia and Tiler Peck alongside platinum-selling artist Calum Scott), Brach’s Palace of Sweets featuring singers Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw, Nickelodeon’s “Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest” float, the “Toys’R’Us Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party” float, and various other elaborate creations representing major brands and entertainment properties.
Celebrity Appearances and Special Guests
Beyond the primary performers, the parade featured appearances from celebrities and special guests throughout the event. U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin, U.S. Paralympian Jack Wallace, actor Kristoffer Polaha, and special correspondent Sean Evans made appearances during the broadcast. The parade’s legendary closing featured Santa Claus riding his float—a tradition that has remained consistent throughout the nearly century-long history of this beloved celebration.
Production and Volunteer Efforts
The execution of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade represents one of the most complex logistical undertakings in American entertainment. Over 5,000 volunteers contributed their time and effort to make the 2025 edition possible, working behind the scenes and along the parade route to ensure seamless operations. The parade’s executive producer, Will Coss, and his team strategically planned every element, from balloon inflation logistics to float positioning and performer coordination.
The day before the parade, on November 26, massive character balloons were inflated along West 77th to West 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. This balloon inflation process has become a beloved pre-parade tradition, with crowds gathering to witness the gradual come-to-life of the iconic oversized characters. Thousands of spectators braved the New York autumn weather to witness this magical transformation.
Route and Public Viewing
The 2.5-mile parade route provided ample opportunity for spectators throughout Manhattan to witness the festivities. The parade commenced on the Upper West Side, proceeding down Sixth Avenue through the heart of Manhattan’s commercial and entertainment districts, culminating at Herald Square. Public viewing locations along the entire route allowed families and parade enthusiasts to secure spots to experience the celebration in person.
Spectators began arriving hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time, eagerly claiming viewing positions along the parade route. The crowds grew increasingly dense as the parade approached, with families bundled against the autumn chill, children perched on parents’ shoulders for optimal viewing, and millions more watching the live broadcast on television and streaming services worldwide.
Cultural Significance and Holiday Traditions
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade holds tremendous cultural significance in American society, serving as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season and the broader Christmas celebration period. Since its inception nearly a century ago, the parade has evolved from a local New York spectacle into a nationwide phenomenon, with television viewership making it one of the most-watched entertainment programs of the year across broadcast television.
The 2025 edition maintained this tradition while introducing modern elements reflecting contemporary pop culture, entertainment trends, and seasonal themes. The parade’s ability to balance nostalgic, beloved elements with fresh, innovative additions ensures its continued relevance across multiple generations.
Accessibility and Broadcasting
The parade was accessible to viewers through multiple platforms. NBC provided live coverage beginning at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, extending through noon, with a repeat broadcast scheduled for 2 p.m. Peacock streaming service offered live streaming capabilities, ensuring that cord-cutting audiences and international viewers could experience the celebration in real-time.
Conclusion
The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade successfully delivered a spectacular celebration that honored decades of tradition while embracing innovation and modern entertainment. With its combination of world-class performances, beloved character balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, and holiday spirit, the 2025 parade demonstrated the enduring power of this American institution to bring communities together and usher in the festive season. As millions of Americans watched the parade unfold—whether in person on the streets of Manhattan or via television and streaming services worldwide—they participated in a shared cultural experience that has defined Thanksgiving celebrations for generations.
