While the turkey’s thawing and the trimming ideas are still brewing, Americans kick off their Thanksgiving mornings with a nearly century-long tradition: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Last year, three million spectators lined New York City’s streets to watch dozens of whimsical balloons and floats bob and weave through Midtown Manhattan to the beats of the marching bands and celebrity performers, as 31.3 million watched the NBC and Peacock broadcast, making the Emmy-winning production the year’s most-watched entertainment telecast.
This year promises to be even bigger as 2025 marks the 99th anniversary of the Thanksgiving tradition, which started in 1924, but wasn’t held from 1942 to 1944 because of World War II. (During those years, the parade materials like rubber were dedicated to the war efforts.)
“As a kid from the Bronx, it is an honor to bring this cherished tradition…to the city of New York every year,” the parade’s executive producer since 2021 Will Coss tells Condé Nast Traveler. The annual highlight for him is seeing the joyful expressions of spectators of all ages as the parade passes them by “showcasing some of the most iconic and recognizable pop culture characters and figures.”
On the eve of the centennial anniversary, the team—made up of painters, carpenters, animators, sculptures, welders, designers, engineers, and electricians—is honoring its roots, by reimagining elements from the parade’s earliest years, like the trouts and wigglefoot balloons and Happy Hippo Triple Stack balloonicles. Keen eyed viewers will also find that the new Buzz Lightyear balloon has “Andy” written on the bottom of the spaceman’s boot, an homage to the young boy in Toy Story on its 30th anniversary. “The team at Macy’s Studios works year-round to make this historic parade bigger and better for our audiences every year, finding new ways to surprise and delight audiences,” Coss says.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025.
How did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
When Macy’s first debuted its one-million-square foot New York City flagship store at 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenues in 1924, the retailer threw a Christmas parade on Thanksgiving morning to boost holiday sales—with a much longer route starting at 145 Street and Covent Avenue. Balloons joined the lineup in 1927, starting with Felix the Cat, and the festivities were first broadcast nationally in 1947.
What is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s route now?
These days, the festive parade follows a 2.5-mile path from the Upper East Side to Midtown Manhattan. Starting at the corner of 77th Street and Central Park West, the route heads south to Columbus Circle and then turns east, heading along 59th Street to Sixth Avenue. From there, it goes straight down Sixth Avenue to 34th Street, ending in front of Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square.
What’s the best way to see the parade in person?
Coss recommends arriving early to get a great view, with parade-goers starting to arrive as early as 6 a.m. along the beginning of the route on Central Park West (approach from the west!) from 61st to 75th Streets. Other prime spots include the south side of 59th Street between Columbus Circle and Sixth Avenue and the entire stretch of Sixth Avenue between 38th and 59th. Spectators should be aware there is no viewing on Central Park West between 59th and 60th Streets, or anywhere south of 38th Street.
Coss also reminds those bringing children to dress warmly for the chilly weather, and to be prepared to entertain the young ones for a few hours while waiting to make eye contact with the first float. He suggests avoiding strollers, large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas.
What’s on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 lineup?
TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will reunite to host the live broadcast of the 99th Macy’s Parade. Following tradition, the parade will kick off with the Tom Turkey float with members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. This year’s lineup will feature 34 balloons (including new Buzz Lightyear, Mario, Shrek, and Pac-Man characters), plus 28 floats (look for the debuts of POPCITY’s Labubu Friendsgiving and Goldfish crackers’ littlest float—less than 8 inches tall!), 33 clown crews, 11 marching bands, 9 performance groups, and 4 balloonicles (that’s a balloon-vehicle hybrid).
The star-studded celebration will be powered by 26 celebrity performers, including Busta Rhymes, Christopher Jackson, Ciara, Colbie Caillat, Debbie Gibson, Foreigner, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Kool & the Gang, Lil Jon, Mickey Guyton, Shaggy, and Taylor Momsen. Olympian Ilia Malinin, paralympian Jack Wallace, and Hot Ones host Sean Evans will also be featured.
As the procession winds its way down from the Upper West Side, the Herald Square space in front of the World’s Largest Macy’s will be transformed into a makeshift stage, with performances by Broadway hits Just In Time, Ragtime, and Buena Vista Social Club. Plus there will be a double dose of girl power with the KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X singing voices EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, making their daytime television debut and the Radio City Rockettes celebrating their 100th anniversary.
How can I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV?
Americans can watch the live telecast on both NBC and Peacock on Thursday, November 27, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones, with an encore airing starting at 2 p.m. ET/PT. Telemundo will air a Spanish-language simulcast, hosted by Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow. The full broadcast will also be on NBC with live audio description on Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP). Behind-the-scenes footage will be shared on social media @macys and #MacysParade via Instagram, TikTok, and Threads.
To rev up for the Thanksgiving Day excitement, a primetime special “Countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” will air on Wednesday, November 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock, broadcasting live from the parade starting line with exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes stories from the balloons and floats.
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How else can I experience the Thanksgiving Day Parade excitement?
Perhaps one of the most underrated—and free!—ways to experience the parade is by attending the Thanksgiving Eve balloon inflation event, a “time-honored tradition and special peek into the parade celebrations,” Coss says. Since 1994, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has invited guests to see the oversized balloons go from flat to floating through various stages of inflation between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26. Those interested can enter at 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue, where they’ll be guided through a security checkpoint, and then can roam between 77th to 81st Streets to see the balloons and 81st and 86th Streets for the floats.
What can viewers expect for next year’s 100th anniversary?
While this year’s balloons have yet to take flight, Coss says the team is always working “at least two parades at a time,” and have been designing and building new floats and balloons for the 2026 celebration to “bring new surprises and delights to the iconic holiday tradition and truly celebrate this incredibly special anniversary.”
Where can I get more information on the Thanksgiving parade?
For the latest up-to-date information, visit macys.com/parade for details on the parade and nbc.com/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade for updates on the broadcast.
