The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a NYC tradition, will make its annual appearance on Nov. 27, 2025. Celebrating its 99th anniversary, the parade will feature a variety of extravagant floats, music and performances.
Originating in 1924 as a Christmas parade, the parade soon shifted its focus to Thanksgiving. Later, in 1927, the parade was changed to the name of what it is now known as, the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.”
TODAY’S Savannah Gutherie, Hota Kotb and Al Roker will lead the festivities, with the parade airing live on NBC and Peacock from 8:30 AM to around noon.
Travelling roughly 2.5 miles through Manhattan, the parade begins on 77th street and ends on Macy’s Herald Square, an iconic landmark located on 34th street.
This year’s parade lineup is said to include 32 balloons, three bionicles, (balloons created for the parade,) 27 floats, four specialty units, 33 clown groups and over 5000 volunteers.
As shown in past years, the parades often contain balloons depicting popular cartoon characters or figures. Characters worth mentioning that were displayed in prior years include Spongebob Squarepants, Kermit the Frog, Pikachu and Snoopy, who has been featured multiple times.
This year, four new character balloons will be featured: Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, Mario from Nintendo, PAC-MAN and Shrek’s Onion Carriage.
Performers EJAE, Audrey Nina and Rei Ami will make an appearance at the parade, performing their new hit single, “Golden,” from the movie “K-POP DEMON HUNTERS”.
Unbeknownst to most, seven members of the Jupiter High School dance team attended the parade in 2022.
“The most challenging part of performing was definitely organization,” Julia Ray, senior and former member of the JHS dance team, said. “It was incredibly difficult to stay together, considering how many girls were performing.”
Though the numbers vary by year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade typically features anywhere between a few hundred to a thousand dancers in total. These dancers are selected through camps, competitions and auditions.
“I think it was an excellent bonding opportunity for the team,” Gina Manon, former coach for the JHS dance team and current owner of Venom Dance Company, said. “Getting to spend a week in New York while doing what I love most was incredible to say the least.”
Groups looking to perform in the parade are required to submit an audition tape to [email protected].
Due to its captivating visuals and family-friendly appeal, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade remains one of the most watched live television specials in the U.S. The parade serves as a multi-generational experience, connecting those of all ages across America.
The Macy’s thanksgiving day parade gives millions of families something to look forward to this holiday season, and will continue to be a Thanksgiving morning tradition for many.
