The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to Manhattan on Nov. 27, kicking off the holiday with its 99th edition. The NBC broadcast of the annual parade starts at 8:30 a.m. across time zones, with Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker back in the booth. Telemundo’s coverage runs at the same time, led by Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow.
This year seems to be one of the biggest productions to date. The parade includes more than 30 balloons, close to 30 floats and a long list of bands, performers and specialty groups that will fill out the route from the Upper West Side to Herald Square.
What is the route for this year’s parade?
The parade forms on the Upper West Side, just off West 77th Street beside Central Park West. The procession starts by heading down Central Park West toward Columbus Circle. At 59th Street, it swings east before turning onto Sixth Avenue, where it continues through Midtown. Everything wraps up outside the Macy’s flagship at West 34th Street, where the parade has ended for years.
Who is performing at the parade?
This year’s broadcast brings together a focused slate of marquee musicians, Broadway ensembles and marching bands. Cynthia Erivo will open the parade with a performance tied to “Wicked: For Good.”
Macy’s has also confirmed that EJAE, along with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, will perform the hit song behind “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”
The Radio City Rockettes will appear as part of their 100th anniversary, and Broadway casts from “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Just in Time” and “Ragtime” will deliver staged performances in front of Herald Square. There will also be eleven marching bands and nine specialty performance groups. Other performers include Ciara, Lainey Wilson, Busta Rhymes, Gavin DeGraw, Taylor Momsen, Shaggy and more.
What new floats can we expect at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025?
Macy’s parade studio has unveiled several new floats for 2025, expanding the roster alongside returning favorites such as Tom Turkey and Santa’s sleigh. Among this year’s standouts is Friends Giving in Pop City, created with Pop Mart and centered around a large-scale Labubu figure and other characters that have become cult collectibles.
Another highly anticipated debut is The Upside Down Invasion, inspired by Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” Food- and family-oriented brands are also represented with new entries, including The Littlest Float by Goldfish and the Lindt Master Chocolatier Ballroom. A winter-themed float from Lego introduces animated penguins, Yetis and snowy vignettes, while Holland America Line brings a cruise-ship concept tied to its Alaska itineraries.
What new balloons will be part of the parade?
The parade’s balloon lineup expands again this year, with 34 balloons and four balloonicles confirmed. Several new character balloons will take flight for the first time, including Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story”; Mario, appearing as a major character balloon for the franchise’s parade debut; and Pac-Man, incorporated as part of a broader celebration for the classic game’s 45th anniversary. Macy’s has also developed new balloons tied to film and pop-culture properties, such as the Derpy Tiger from “KPop Demon Hunters” and a Shrek-universe addition in the form of an onion carriage.
Macy’s original concepts return as well, including the new-for-2025 Wigglefoot, a balloon with 16 legs designed specifically for parade day. These join returning mainstays like Snoopy, Spider-Man, Pikachu, Smokey Bear and the Pillsbury Doughboy, all of which appear on the 2025 lineup.
How can I attend the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Catching the parade in person means an extra early morning. The crowds build early along Central Park West, which is still the easiest place to settle in before the parade gets moving. By the time the first floats reach Sixth Avenue, the scene shifts to Midtown, where there’s more room to spread out — at least until the procession gets within a few blocks of Herald Square. The streets closest to Macy’s are kept clear for staging and broadcast crews, so sidewalk viewing isn’t available in that final stretch.
Can I watch the parade if I’m not attending in person?
For anyone outside of New York City or for those opting to stay inside on Thanksgiving morning, the full parade airs on NBC and streams on Peacock starting at 8:30 a.m. acoss all time zones and is running through noon. NBC will also run an encore at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
The Spanish-language telecast returns on Telemundo, led by Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow. NBC is offering an audio-description track through SAP, and the parade can be streamed through the NBC app, NBC’s website, or any live-TV service that carries local NBC stations.
