2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: List of floats and performers

NEW YORK - The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is almost here — and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest celebrations yet.

What we know:

This year’s parade will feature 32 giant character balloons, 27 floats, three balloonicles, four specialty units, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, and thousands of performers from across the country. 

SKIP TO: Celebrity performances

When is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Timeline:

The festivities kick off rain or shine on Thursday, Nov. 27 at 8:30 a.m. ET, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock. 

Today show hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will return to anchor the broadcast.

Thanksgiving floats: ‘Stranger Things,' Labubu, mini goldfish

Ahead of its 100th anniversary, the parade is going bigger and bolder with a lineup of new floats meant to dazzle spectators from every angle. 

This year’s additions include Serta’s famous sheep, a "Stranger Things" float inspired by the Netflix hit, and a Pop Mart Labubu float celebrating the "Year of the Labubu," a nod to the popular collectible toy.

Perhaps the most whimsical newcomer is also the smallest: a bite-sized Goldfish float, the tiniest in parade history. 

As always, the procession will begin with Tom Turkey and end with Santa Claus, officially ushering in the holiday season.

New balloons taking flight

Four new giant character balloons will soar down Manhattan’s 2.5-mile route this year:

• Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
• Pac-Man
• Mario (Super Mario Bros.)
• A 32-foot-tall "Shrek" Onion Carriage featuring eight DreamWorks characters

To celebrate the parade’s upcoming centennial in 2026, Macy’s is also bringing back several fan favorites: Rainbow Trout, Happy Hippo Triple Stack, Wigglefoot, and Freida the Dachshund.

Celebrity performances

This year’s star lineup spans every genre, from pop and R&B to country and Broadway. Featured performers include:

This year’s star lineup spans every genre — from pop and R&B to country, rock, and Broadway. 

Featured performers include:

• Ciara
• Foreigner
• Lil Jon
• Kool & the Gang
• Busta Rhymes
• Mickey Guyton
• Teyana Taylor
• Jewel
• Debbie Gibson
• Drew Baldridge
• Matteo Bocelli
• Colbie Caillat
• Gavin DeGraw
• Meg Donnelly
• Christopher Jackson (Hamilton)
• Darlene Love
• Roman Mejia (New York City Ballet)
• Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless)
• Calum Scott
• Shaggy
• Lauren Spencer Smith
• Luísa Sonza
• Also making special appearances:
• Tiler Peck, principal dancer with the New York City Ballet
• Sean Evans, host of YouTube’s Hot Ones
• Also joining the lineup: ballet dancer Tiler Peck and "Hot Ones" host Sean Evans.

KPop Demon Hunters at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The 2025 parade taps into global pop culture like never before. 

Netflix’s "KPop Demon Hunters" will take center stage, featuring virtual girl group HUNTR/X — Audrey Nuna, EJAE, and Rei Ami — performing live. 

Their chart-topping soundtrack will also come to life in the sky with two debut balloons: Derpy Tiger and Sussie, characters from the hit film.

Broadway, athletes, and special guests

Broadway will once again shine, with live performances from the casts of "Buena Vista Social Club," "Just in Time," and "Ragtime." 

The Radio City Rockettes return for their signature number, joined by three-time U.S. national figure-skating champion Ilia Malinin and U.S. Paralympian Jack Wallace, blending artistry and athleticism in true parade fashion.

Marching bands

This year’s 11 marching bands will travel from South Carolina, California, Texas, Arizona, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Santiago, Panama. 

The New York Police Department Marching Band will also perform along the parade route.

99 years

Every year, spectators line up along Central Park West and 6th Avenue hours before sunrise to see the floats, balloons, and performers glide through Manhattan.

The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade promises a morning full of music, nostalgia, and holiday magic as it marches toward its 100th year.

Holidays