The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an unapologetically American tradition, larger than life and as beloved as it is eclectic, contradictory and utterly confusing. Nothing says gratitude to friends and family like a procession of 34 balloons, 4 hot air balloons, 28 floats, 14 specialty units, 33 clown groups and 11 marching bands, the main theme of which is around movie and TV characters…and candy, toys and advertisements.
The 2025 edition will include seven new tanks, including one carrying a Demogorgon in a nod to Stranger Things season 5, and five new balloons, representing PAC-MAN, Buzz Lightyear and more, which will float for the very first time along the familiar Upper West Side path to Macy’s on 34th Street. The Macy’s Rocking Horse float is making its 68th appearance.
As always, Santa takes pride of place just at the back of the cavalcade, but the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ostensibly kicks off Black Friday. Speaking of which, there will be Labubuses all over Manhattan.
The first to take the stage at Herald Square will beVillain: for goodCynthia Erivo, followed by Demon Hunters KPop stars Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami and, in celebration of their 100th anniversary, the Radio City Rockettes.
Read on for the full list of floats, balloons, performers and entertainers, and find out how to watch the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade online, on TV and from anywhere.
Can I watch the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for free?
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade isn’t free, but NBC is broadcast by OTT streamers Fubo, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream and Hulu+Live TV, each offering a free trial to new customers.
Fubo comes with a seven-day free trial, after which the Pro plan costs $54.99 for the first month, and $84.99/month thereafter.
YouTube TV comes with a 5-day free trial, after which a basic subscription costs $62.99/month for five months, and $82.99/month thereafter.
DirectTV Stream comes with a 5-day free trial, after which the entertainment package costs $49.99 for the first month, and $84.99/month thereafter. Alternatively, the MySports plan also offers a 5-day free trial, after which it costs $59.99/month for two months, and $69.99/month thereafter.
Hulu+Live TV comes with a 3-day free trial, after which a basic subscription costs $89.99/month.
Use a VPN to Watch Any Stream of the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
How to watch the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the United States
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on BNC.
Coverage begins Thursday, November 27 at 8:30 a.m. local time in all U.S. time zones, and the three-hour celebration begins at 9 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. CT / 5 a.m. PT. A full replay will air at 2 p.m. ET/CT/PT.
Don’t have cable? Cord-cutting services with NBC include Sling TV – specifically the Sling Blue package starting at $46 per month. You can even benefit from 50% off your first month, before returning to the original price. There’s also Fubo, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu+Live TV.
Alternatively, viewers can live stream the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (or watch it on catch-up) via Peacock.
Peacock TV subscriptions streaming live sports start from $10.99 per month. You can also stream NFL and Premier League football on the platform.
Outside the United States for the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? To use NordVPN to access your usual coverage.
Can I watch the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade anywhere else in the world?
Unfortunately, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is not available to watch outside the United States.
If you’re American in Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia, a VPN will help you connect. NordVPN is our recommended provider, and you can find out why with our in-depth NordVPN review.
What you need to know about the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Hosts
- Savannah Guthrie
- Al Roker
- Hoda Kotb
2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Floats
- 1-2-3 Sesame Street by Atelier Sésame
- Well done big city! by Spirit of America Productions
- Big Turkey Spectacular by Jennie-O
- Birds of a feather flow together by Peacock
- Brick winter mountain by Lego – NEW
- Camp Snoopy by Peanuts Worldwide
- Cosmos candy by Haribo
- Colossal Wave of Wonder by Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
- The Counting Sheep Dream Generator by Serta – NEW
- Decorate the corridors near Balsam Hill
- DORA’s Fantasy Rainforest by Nickelodeon & Paramount
- Fantastic Chocolate Factory by Kinder
- Give with friends in PopCity by PopMart – NEW
- Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party by Toys”R”Us
- Harvest in the Valley by Green Giant
- Heartwarming Holiday Countdown by Hallmark Channel
- Jolly Polly Pirate Ship by Macy’s
- The Land of Ice and Wonder by Holland America Line – NEW
- Goldfish’s Smallest Float – NEW
- Macy’s Winter Wonderland in Central Park by Macy’s
- Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line
- Lindt Maître Chocolatier Ballroom – NEW
- Candy Palace by Brach’s
- PINelope by GoBowling!
- Rao’s Homemade Pasta Knight
- Santa’s Sleigh by Macy’s
- Tom Türkiye by Macy’s
- Invasion in Reverse: Stranger Things from Netflix – NEW
- Wonderful world of wildlife near the Bronx Zoo
- The world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Nickelodeon and Paramount
2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons
- Beagle Scout Snoopy by Peanuts Worldwide
- Bluey by BBC Studios and Ludo Studio
- Buzz Lightyear by Pixar Animation Studios – NEW
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Abrams Books
- Gabby and Pandy Paws by Gabby’s Dollhouse/Universal Pictures’ DreamWorks Animation
- Goku by Dragon Ball/Toei Animation
- Mario by Nintendo – NEW
- Marshall from Paw Patrol by Spin Master & Nickelodeon
- Minnie Mouse by The Walt Disney Company
- Monkey D. Luffy by One Piece/Toei Animation
- Noorah by The Lumistella Company
- PAC-MAN from Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Inc. – NEW
- Pikachu and Eevee by The Pokemon Company International
- Pillsbury Doughboy by Pillsbury
- Shrek’s Onion Cart by Universal Pictures’ DreamWorks Animation – NEW
- Spider-Man by Marvel
- “SpongeBob and Gary” by Nickelodeon
- Stuart the servant by illumination
- Derpy Tiger from Netflix and KPop Demon Hunters from Sony Pictures Animation – NEW
- DORA by Nickelodeon
- Golden Bear by Haribo
- Smoking Bear by USDA Forest Service
- Tassel by Macy’s
- Blue and white Macy’s stars by Macy’s
- Bluey Keepy Uppy Balloon by BBC Studios and Ludo Studio
- Macy’s Gold Stars by Macy’s
- Macy’s Green Stars by Macy’s – NEW
- Macy’s Ice Crystals
- Poinsettia ornaments by Macy’s
- Pumpkins by Macy’s
- Macy’s Rainbow Trout and Rainbow Trout – NEW
- Macy’s “Believe” Red Stars
- Red and green candy cane by Macy’s
- Macy’s Red Star by Macy’s – NEW
- Soccer ball by Macy’s
- Macy’s Yellow Stars by Macy’s
- Cheese from a deflated child
- Frost Pips from The Lumistella Company – NEW
- Happy Hippo Triple Stack by Macy’s – NEW
- Sussie and Flowerpot by KPop Demon Hunters from Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation – NEW
- Lox and Java by Macy’s
- The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by Macy’s
2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Performers
- Big Brothers Big Sisters (Tom Turkey)
- Busta Rhymes (The Ninja Turtles)
- Calum Scott (Master Chocolatier’s Ballroom)
- Captain Minnie Mouse, Captain Mickey Mouse and Friends (Magic Meets the Seas)
- Christopher Jackson and the cast of Sesame Street (1-2-3 Sesame Street)
- Ciara (Colossal Wave of Amazement)
- Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw (Palais des Bonbons)
- Conan Gray
- Cynthia Erivo
- Darlene Love (Deck the Halls)
- Debbie Gibson (The Counting Sheep Dream Generator)
- Drew Baldridge and Mickey Guyton (Heartwarming Holiday Countdown)
- Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as HUNTR/X
- Stranger (Reverse Invasion: Stranger Things)
- US Olympian Ilia Malinin and US Paralympic Athlete Jack Wallace (Birds of a Feather Stream Together)
- Jewel (The Land of Ice and Wonders)
- Kool & The Gang (Wonderful World of Wildlife)
- Lainey Wilson
- Lauren Spencer Smith (Fantastic Chocolate Factory)
- Lil Jon (Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party)
- Luisa Sonza (Dora’s Fantasy Rainforest)
- Matteo Bocelli (Knight of Pasta)
- Meg Donnelly (Brick Winter Mountain)
- Mr. Fantasy (Jolly Polly Pirate Ship)
- Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha (Heartwarming Countdown to the Holidays)
- Roman Mejia and Tiler Peck (Master Chocolatier’s Ballroom)
- Russell Dickerson (Harvest in the Valley)
- Santa Claus (Santa’s Sleigh)
- Sean Evans
- Shaggy (Big Turkey Spectacular)
- Taylor Momsen
- Teyana Taylor (Birds of a Feather Flow Together)
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