Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: How to Watch

Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style! The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to dazzle with a spectacular lineup of performers, brand-new floats, and beloved balloons. This iconic New York City tradition promises a morning filled with music, pop-culture moments, and festive cheer.

This year’s parade is bringing some major cultural hits to life, including the popular Labubu and the fictional ‘KPop Demon Hunters.’ Musical artists like Conan Gray and Lainey Wilson are set to perform, adding their tunes to the festive atmosphere. The parade officially kicks off on November 27th, rain or shine, beginning on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and culminating at Macy’s Herald Square.

Your Guide to Watching the Parade

Wondering when and where to catch all the action? The parade starts bright and early at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast simultaneously across all time zones. You can tune in on NBC, which is accessible via antenna, cable, or satellite providers.

For those who have cut the cord, fear not! The entire parade will be simulcast live on Peacock. If you miss the morning broadcast or want to relive the magic, an encore telecast begins at 2 p.m. EST/PST. A Spanish-language simulcast will also be available on Telemundo. Last year’s event drew over 31 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, marking its biggest audience ever!

A Star-Studded Performance Lineup

Prepare for an incredible roster of talent! Kicking off the show will be ‘Wicked’ star Cynthia Erivo. Joining her are musical powerhouses Ciara, Lil Jon, and Mickey Guyton. The stage will also feature Audrey Nuna, EJAE, and Rei Ami from the Netflix hit ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ alongside Foreigner, Kool & the Gang, Busta Rhymes, and Teyana.

The parade is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of ‘A Chorus Line’ with alumni and students from LaGuardia High School. Expect appearances from ballet dancer Tiler Peck, ‘Hot Ones’ host Sean Evans, and cast members from Broadway shows like ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ and ‘Just in Time.’ The Radio City Rockettes and top athletes like figure skater Ilia Malinin and Paralympian Jack Wallace will also be present.

• Ciara
• Cynthia Erivo
• Mickey Guyton
• Lil Jon
• Conan Gray
• Lainey Wilson
• Busta Rhymes
• Kool & the Gang
• Teyana Taylor
• Foreigner

New Balloons and Floats to Discover

This year’s parade introduces four exciting new character balloons, including Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man, and Mario from Super Mario Brothers. A massive 32-foot-tall balloon onion carriage featuring characters from the ‘Shrek’ universe will also make its debut. The ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ will be represented in the sky with their own characters, Derpy Tiger and Sussie.

Get ready for some fantastic new floats, too! Look out for the first-ever Pop Mart float showcasing characters like Labubu and Skullpanda. Other new additions include floats from Holland America Line, Lego, Lindt chocolates, and a ‘Stranger Things’-themed float featuring members of Foreigner. Serta is bringing a whimsical float of sheep trying to sleep, and Goldfish crackers are returning with a tiny, cracker-sized float!

Meet Your Hosts and Marching Bands

Guiding you through the festivities on TV and online will be the familiar faces of ‘Today’ show anchors Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, joined by Hoda Kotb. On Telemundo, Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow will host. Hoda Kotb expressed her excitement, noting how much fun these parades are, especially with her daughter’s love for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’!

The streets will be filled with the sounds of 11 marching bands hailing from across the country and even Santiago, Panama. The New York Police Department’s band will also be marching, alongside energetic dancers and cheerleaders from Spirit of America.