The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is marching back into New York City, and in case anyone was wondering, no, Macy’s won’t be helping with any engagements or wedding ceremonies at the parade.
The parade route stretches 2.5 miles through the heart of New York City, starting on the Upper West Side and ending in Midtown. Macy’s says public viewing areas are open on the west side of Central Park West, the south side of Central Park South and on 6th Avenue along the parade route.
Weather-wise, the parade goes on rain or shine. Current AccuWeather predictions detail mostly sunny skies with wind gusts that could reach 20-30 mph, though those gusts aren’t expected to keep the balloons grounded.
“If sustained winds are higher than 23 mph or gusts surpass 34 mph, then the balloons will be grounded,” AccuWeather says.
What time does the parade start?
The parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 27 and will run for about three and a half hours.
How to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade at home
NBC will broadcast the parade live at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, and streaming options are available on Peacock and Fubo. For late risers, NBC will air an encore at 2 p.m.
For the first time, Peacock is giving viewers a multiview experience. Allowing perspectives from several different ways: the classic broadcast, the primary view with NBC hosts and live performances, a float-level that lets viewers ride along on the Tom the Turkey through the Manhattan streets or a high-rise angle for a bird’s eye view of all the parade hustle and bustle.
Parade performances
The 2025 performance lineup is packed and will feature performances from:
- Busta Rhymes
- Calum Scott
- Christopher Jackson
- Ciara
- Colbie Caillat
- Cynthia Erivo
- Darlene Love
- Debbie Gibson
- Drew Baldridge
- EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami from “KPop Demon Hunters”
- Foreigner
- Gavin DeGraw
- Jewel
- Kool & the Gang
- Lainey Wilson
- Lauren Spencer Smith
- Lil Jon
- Luísa Sonza
- Matteo Bocellli
- Meg Donnelly
- Mickey Guyton
- Mr. Fantasy
- Roman Mejia
- Russell Dickerson
- Shaggy
- Taylor Momsen
- Teyana Taylor
- Tiler Peck
New floats for 2025
This year, seven new floats join the parade’s 28-float lineup. Including:
- Friends-giving in POPCITY by Pop Mart float (the Labubu float)
- Brick-tastic Winter Mountain by LEGO
- Lindt’s Master Chocolatier Ballroom
- The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator from Serta
- The Land of Ice and Wonder by Holland America Line
- The Littlest Float from Goldfish
- Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Netflix
New balloons
Of the parade’s 34 balloons, five make their float above the Manhattan streets debut this year:
- “Buzz Lightyear” by Pixar Animation Studios: From Pixar’s “Toy Story,” Buzz measures 58 feet long and 45.5 feet high.
- “Derpy Tiger” from Netflix’s hit film “KPop Demon Hunters”: The potential star of the show will float above the Manhattan streets at 39 feet long and 21 feet tall.
- “Mario” by Nintendo: The part-time plumber and part-time princess-rescuer will extend 51 feet long and 43.7 feet tall.
- “PAC-MAN” by Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Inc.: The vintage arcade character measures more than 40 feet long and 37 feet high.
- “Shrek’s Onion Carriage” from Universal Pictures’ DreamWorks Animation: The Shrek-themed balloon is out of the swamp and will feature its titular character, Fiona and Donkey riding along the onion carriage, measuring nearly 40 feet in length and 32.5 feet in height.
In addition to the floats and balloons, the parade will feature four balloonicles, 9 performance groups, 11 marching bands, 14 specialty units and 33 clown crews.
