The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade wouldn’t be complete without a few first-time appearances, and this year, the most anticipated newcomers are Labubu and several stars from the hit Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Labubu will make its debut on the “Friends-giving in Pop City” float, which features a 16-foot-tall fuzzy inflatable Labubu and Mokoko, along with other fan-favorite Pop Mart characters like Skullpanda and Molly.
“Our goal at Pop Mart is to light up passion and bring joy, and Macy’s Parade has been doing that for nearly a century,” said Larry Lu, president of Pop Mart in the Americas.
“Bringing our characters to life at such a storied event represents a significant milestone for us as we kick off our 15th anniversary. It is an honor to represent our team, artist partners and the global POP MART community during one of the great traditions of the holiday season,” he continued.
Labubu joins a roster of other inflatable first-timers, including Buzz Lightyear, Derpy Tiger, Mario, Pac-Man and Shrek’s Onion Carriage.
What’s behind the Labubu craze?
The internet’s obsession with the monster creature from Chinese toy maker Pop Mart has been taking the world by storm, with the toy now selling in more than 30 countries.
The reason for Labubu’s global takeover isn’t entirely clear — like most viral trends, BBC notes, it is a blend of “timing, taste and the randomness that is the internet.” The phenomenon has been powerful enough that Pop Mart’s profits nearly tripled in the last year, according to BBC reporting.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ make their Macy’s debut
Meanwhile, another anticipated appearance this year comes from the cast of “KPop Demon Hunters,” the animated breakout hit whose characters have fought demons and danced their way into becoming Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time, fueled by a global fanbase and a soundtrack that climbed streaming charts worldwide.
Their parade debut centers around a 21-foot-tall balloon of Derpy Tiger. At 39 feet long and 16 feet wide, roughly the width of two New York City taxicabs, the balloon brings the film’s “mischievous supernatural spirit” to life. The character’s design is inspired by traditional Korean folk art, or Minhwa, meaning “painting of the people,” Macy’s notes.
Spectators will also get a live performance at Herald Square from HUNTR/X — EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — the voices behind the movie’s demon-hunting heroines.
Their appearance adds another milestone to the genre’s rise in the parade’s history. The group joins a small but growing list of K-pop performers to take the Macy’s stage, the first being NCT 127 in 2019.
More about Macy’s parade
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings together various performers and musical guests at Herald Square. The festivities include 5,000 volunteers, 32 balloons, three balloonicles, 27 floats, four specialty units, 33 clown groups and 11 marching bands, all culminating to welcome Santa Claus and the official start of the holiday season, Macy’s says.
“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings families together like nothing else on television and continues a beloved tradition for millions,” said Jen Neal, executive vice president of Live Events and Specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment. “We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with Macy’s and look forward to working with them to produce a spectacular Parade that we know so many people love and cherish.”
The 99th annual Macy’s parade airs nationwide at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on Nov. 27.
