Everything to Know About the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Snoopy float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2023 in New York City. Getty images

Nothing screams the holiday season is here like the Macy’sThanksgiving Day Parade, which kicks off the festive time not only in New YorkCity, but around the country.

This year marks the 99th edition of the parade, and all thedetails for the most-watched entertainment telecast of the year have been set.

Expect the usual top-notch lineup of talented musical acts,Broadway hits, character balloons, fun floats, and of course, a Santa Claussighting.

"The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings familiestogether like nothing else on television and remains a beloved tradition formillions,” said Jen Neal, NBCUniversal Entertainment's executive vice presidentof live events and specials.

Keep reading to find out how to watch, who's hosting, andwhat celebrities are performing and appearing.

Who is hosting the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker willreturn to host the broadcast this year.

How can I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

NBC and Peacock will broadcast the parade on Thursday,November 27 starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. An encore telecast willair at 2 p.m. ET/PT. While Guthrie, Kotb and Roker are hosting the maincelebration, a Spanish language simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by thenetwork’s Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow.

What celebrities will be at the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving DayParade?

Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo will kick off thebroadcast by performing the opening number. Country artist Lainey Wilson, whoappeared in the final season of Yellowstone, is taking the stage in front ofMacy’s in Midtown Manhattan’s Herald Square, where she'll perform her hits.

Among the other must-see performances that will be held infront of the 34th Street Herald Square flagship location of Macy's will be thedaytime debut of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/Xfrom Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. There will also be hits performed from theBroadway shows Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, and Ragtime.

Expect more musical and dance performances by DrewBaldridge, Matteo Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Gavin DeGraw, Meg Donnelly,Mr. Fantasy, Foreigner, Debbie Gibson, Conan Gray, Mickey Guyton, ChristopherJackson, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Darlene Love, Roman Mejia, TaylorMomsen, Tiler Peck, the Radio City Rockettes, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott,Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith, Luísa Sonza and Teyana Taylor. There will also beappearances by Nikki DeLoach, U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin, Kristoffer Polaha,U.S Paralympian Jack Wallace, and special correspondent Sean Evans.

“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the official kickoff tothe holiday season and has been part of the nation’s stories and traditions forgenerations,” said Will Coss, the executive producer of the Macy’s ThanksgivingDay Parade. “The most wonderful stories start at the parade. On Thanksgivingmorning, larger-than-life character balloons, awe-inspiring floats andshowstopping performances will create unforgettable moments and lasting holidaymemories for millions of spectators in New York City and across thecountry.” 

The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature morethan 5,000 volunteers, 32 balloons, three ballonicles, 27 floats, fourspecialty units, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, performance groups, andmusical acts.

Are there any new balloons in the 2025 Macy’s ThanksgivingDay Parade?

This year, four new featured character balloons will debut,including Buzz Lightyear by Pixar Animation Studios; PAC-MAN by Bandai NamcoEntertainment America, Inc.; Shrek’s Onion Carriage from Universal Pictures’DreamWorks Animation; and Mario by Nintendo. Also, Derpy Tiger and Sussie fromNetflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters will join the line-up as a mid-sized balloon andballoonicle, respectively. 

Six new floats will also debut, including The Land of Ice& Wonder by Holland America Line; Brick-tastic Winter Mountain by The LEGOGroup; Master Chocolatier Ballroom by Lindt; Upside Down Invasion: StrangerThings by Netflix; Friends-giving in POPCITY by Pop Mart; and The Counting Sheep’sDream Generator by Serta. The debuting floats will join a lineup of fanfavorites including Santa's Sleigh.

What is Countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade andhow can I watch?

An hourlong primetime special, Countdown to the Macy’sThanksgiving Day Parade, will air the night before Thanksgiving on Wednesday,November 26 at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.

Hosted by Melissa Peterman of Happy's Place, the specialwill be broadcast live from the famous starting line on the eve of the Macy’sThanksgiving Day Parade, giving viewers an exclusive first look at the storiesbehind the floats, balloons, and bands as they prepare to make their waythrough the streets of New York City.

Countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will featureinterviews with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performers Colbie Caillat, GavinDeGraw and Jewel. It will also offer a behind-the-scenes look at an excitingperformance from EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the singing voices of HUNTR/Xfrom Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters.

And look out for segments on the Radio City Rockettes’ 100thanniversary, a cool LEGO float, and a California marching band making theirdebut in the parade.

The broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade isproduced by Universal Television in conjunction with Done + Dusted Inc. KatyMullan and Liz Kelly serve as executive producers.

>>Agency