Macy Parade 2025 Shocks Fans With New Balloons, Stars & Major Updates

Macy is set to launch the 99th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27, bringing new balloons, star performers and expanded coverage to one of the nation’s most-watched holiday traditions. Over 3 million spectators are expected to gather in New York City, with more than 30 million viewers anticipated to tune in nationwide. NBC, Peacock and Telemundo will air the three-and-a-half-hour broadcast live across all time zones. With new additions like Buzz Lightyear and Mario balloons and a show-opening performance from Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo, Macy aims to deliver one of its most ambitious parades yet. The 2025 edition builds on decades of tradition while elevating the spectacle for a global audience.

Route, Performers & Key Features

The Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27, following its classic 2.5-mile route from West 77th Street and Central Park West to Macy’s Herald Square via Sixth Avenue. Coverage will air on NBC and Peacock, with an encore at 2 p.m. ET/PT, while Telemundo will provide full Spanish-language commentary.

Cynthia Erivo, fresh off Wicked: For Good, will deliver the opening “show-stopping” performance. The parade roster includes 26 performers, 11 marching bands and nine specialty performance groups. Busta Rhymes will make his Macy debut, performing on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles float. The vocal trio behind HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters—Audrey Nuna, REI AMI and EJAE—will also appear.

The Radio City Rockettes, celebrating 100 years, will return with a marquee number. Broadway casts from Ragtime, Just in Time and Buena Vista Social Club will join the parade, along with artists including Ciara, Mickey Guyton, Taylor Momsen, Shaggy, Lil Jon, Darlene Love, Calum Scott and Kool & the Gang.

Quotes & Analyst Reactions

Parade creative director Brendan Kennedy compared the 2025 lineup to “a pop-culture yearbook,” emphasizing the goal of capturing the cultural moment.
“We think of the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade as a snapshot of what’s happening now,” Kennedy said, highlighting the addition of Pop Mart’s Labubu and Lacoco inflatables—the first of their kind in parade history.

Analysts liken Kennedy’s strategy to a head coach adding dynamic new talent each season to energize the roster. One industry analyst noted:
“Macy continues to build its lineup like a championship team—mixing veterans, fan favorites and high-impact newcomers to keep the event relevant every year.”

NBC producers have expressed enthusiasm for Cynthia Erivo’s opening performance, expecting it to set the tone for a high-energy broadcast.

Cultural Reach & Event Significance

The Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade remains a cornerstone holiday event with significant national impact. Much like a marquee matchup in sports broadcasting, the parade’s lineup affects viewer engagement, network ratings and advertiser reach. With major new balloons—Buzz Lightyear, Mario, Derpy Tiger, PAC-MAN and Shrek’s Onion Carriage—the 2025 event broadens its appeal across generations.

The addition of trending entertainment brands, including Stranger Things, increases synergy with streaming demographics. Meanwhile, legacy characters like Snoopy, Spider-Man, Pikachu and the Pillsbury Doughboy ensure nostalgia-driven viewership remains intact.

Behind the scenes, more than 2,000 gallons of paint, 300 pounds of glitter and 200 pounds of confetti were used to construct new floats—showcasing the high production value that keeps Macy’s parade among the most prestigious annual broadcasts.

Final Preparations & Broadcast Outlook

Rehearsals at the Macy Parade Studio in Moonachie, New Jersey, continue through the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Networks are finalizing camera placements, sound cues and special interviews with performers. Parade hosts Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Hoda Kotb will lead NBC’s live broadcast, while the Telemundo team prepares parallel Spanish-language coverage.

Macy is expected to release additional last-minute programming notes, including any weather-related adjustments and final performer confirmations. With its 100th anniversary just one year away, the 2025 parade sets the stage for an even larger centennial celebration in 2026.

SOURCE

• ESPN Event Broadcasting Notes

• 247Sports Cultural Events Desk

• On3 Media & Live Entertainment Tracker

• NBC / Telemundo Programming Advisory

• Macy’s Parade Studio Background Reports