See ‘Stranger Things,’ Labubu Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats
Take a look at seven new floats and five new balloons joining this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature 34 balloons, 28 floats, 28 performers, 11 marching bands, four balloonicles, 33 clown crews, nine performance groups and 14 specialty units.The parade starts at 8:30 a.m. ET Thanksgiving Day.Joining the parade this year will be five new balloons and seven new floats, including one from “Stranger Things.”
The 99th annual 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is coming up fast.
One of the largest parades in the world, the parade has been held in New York City since 1924, except for three years during World War II.
According to Macy’s, this year’s parade will feature 34 balloons — including five new ones; 28 floats, 28 performers, 11 marching bands, four balloonicles, 33 clown crews, nine performance groups and 14 speciality units.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s parade, including where to watch and which balloons to look for.
What time does Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 27, and will end at noon.
How to watch, stream the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
The event will be telecast on NBC starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. It will also stream on Peacock.
Fubo subscribers also will be able to watch.
Watch ‘Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’ on Peacock
An encore on NBC will follow at 2 p.m. ET.
To create a more inclusive experience for blind and visually impaired viewers, Macy’s said, the full NBC broadcast will be presented with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel, provided by Descriptive Video Works.
What is Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade route?
The parade follows a 2.5-mile route through Manhattan, starting at West 77th Street and Central Park West, moving south to 59th Street, then east to Sixth Avenue, then south again to finish at the Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square.
The best viewing areas are:
Near the beginning on at Central Park WestAt 59th Street and Seventh AvenueAt 59th and Sixth AvenueHerald Square (34th Street and Seventh Avenue)Who is hosting the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker of NBC’s “Today” show will return as telecast hosts, NBC said.
What is the balloon lineup for the Thanksgiving Parade 2025?
This year, 34 character balloons will be making their way to Macy’s, with those in bold new to the parade:
AcornBeagle Scout Snoopy Blue and White Macy’s StarsBluey Buzz Lightyear Candy caneDerpy TigerDiary of a Wimpy KidDisney’s Minnie MouseDoraGabby and Pandy PawsGokuGoldbearGreen StarsIce CrystalsMacy’s StarsMarioMarshall from PAW PatrolMonkey D. Luffy Noorah PAC-MAN Pikachu & EeveePillsbury DoughboyPoinsettia ornamentsPumpkinsRed “Believe” StarsRed Macy’s StarShrek’s Onion CarriageSmokey BearSoccer BallSpider-Man SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary Stuart the Minion Yellow Macy’s Stars
There are also five new balloons this year:
Buzz LightyearDerpy Tiger MarioPAC-MANShrek’s Onion Carriage7 new floats in 2025 Thanksgiving Parade
This year’s lineup, the 99th edition, includes 28 floats. Seven new floats, highlighted in bold, have been added:
1-2-3 Sesame StreetBig Turkey SpectacularBirds of a Feather Stream TogetherBrick-tastic Winter MountainCamp SnoopyCandy CosmosColossal Wave of WonderDeck the HallsDora’s Fantastical RainforestFantasy Chocolate FactoryFriends-giving in POPCITYGeoffrey’s Dazzling Dance PartyHarvest in the ValleyHeartwarming Holiday CountdownJolly Polly Pirate ShipMagic Meets the SeasMaster Chocolatier BallroomPalace of SweetsPasta KnightPINelopeSanta’s SleighThe Counting Sheep’s Dream GeneratorThe Land of Ice and WonderThe Littlest FloatTom TurkeyUpside Down Invasion: Stranger ThingsWondrous World of WildlifeWorld of the Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesWhat celebrities will perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving parade?
Colbie Caillat on performing Macy’s Thanksgiving parade
Colbie Caillat discussed her upcoming performance at the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Gavin DeGraw during the 2025 CMA Awards red carpet.
The following performers will appear this year:
Busta Rhymes Calum ScottChristopher Jackson Ciara Colbie Caillat Cynthia ErivoDarlene LoveDebbie GibsonDrew Baldridge EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the singing voices for HUNTR/X from KPOP DEMON HUNTERSForeignerGavin DeGrawJewel Kool & The GangLainey WilsonLauren Spencer Smith Lil Jon Luisa SonzaMatteo BocelliMeg DonnellyMickey GuytonMr. FantasyRoman Mejia Russell DickersonShaggyTaylor MomsenTeyana TaylorTiler Peck4 balloonicles join Macy’s Parade; 3 are new
A balloonicle is a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade creation that combines a balloon with a self-powered vehicle.
There will be four in the 2025 parade, and three are new:
Cheese of A Wimpy KidFrost PipsHappy Hippo Triple StackSussie & Flowerpot
Contributing: John Gallas, Samantha Neely, USA Today Network-Florida