The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade launches Thursday, November 27 at 8:30 a.m. nationwide on NBC and Peacock. With major new balloons, superstar live performances, and surprises for fans of all ages, this year’s parade aims to rewrite what’s possible for a holiday tradition that remains at the heart of American pop culture.
For millions of Americans, there’s no kickoff to the holiday season quite like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In its 98th year, the event continues to blend nostalgia with spectacle, hosting a must-see array of new giant balloons, dazzling floats, and a stacked celebrity lineup that cements its standing as the essential appointment viewing for Thanksgiving morning.
Start Time and Broadcast: When—and Where—To Watch in 2025
This year’s parade begins at 8:30 a.m. local time in all U.S. time zones, airing live across NBC and streaming on Peacock. For those unable to catch it in the morning, an encore telecast will air at 2 p.m. ET/PT, ensuring no one misses what’s shaping up to be the most star-studded parade in recent memory (NBC Insider).
Opening Acts, Major Headliners, and the Complete 2025 Lineup
The parade’s live performances are getting a showstopping launch with Cynthia Erivo—the Tony and Grammy-winning star of Wicked: For Good. She’s kicking off the broadcast with an electrifying number that sets the upbeat tone for all that follows.
From there, viewers can expect appearances and performances from an A-list mix, including the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters, Lainey Wilson, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Busta Rhymes, T-Pain, Debbie Gibson, Jewel, Drew Baldridge, Foreigner, Shaggy, and Meg Donnelly, among many others. The Radio City Rockettes bring the high kicks and classic spectacle, while honored sports guests like Olympian Ilia Malinin and Paralympian Jack Wallace capture the spirit of achievement and inspiration surrounded by millions of fans (official list).
What’s New: Giant Balloons, Floats, and Fan-Favorite Innovations
This parade is always about the big reveals—and 2025 doubles down. New for this year are four giant balloons: Buzz Lightyear, PAC-MAN, Shrek’s Onion Carriage, and Mario. Their towering scale and creative execution are a direct nod to the relentless fan appetite for larger-than-life pop culture icons.
Six new floats are set to debut: The Land of Ice & Wonder, Brick-tastic Winter Mountain, Master Chocolatier Ballroom, Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things, Friends-giving in POPCITY, and The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator. Each brings its own narrative and artistry, increasingly making the parade a launchpad for entertainment brands to reach devoted audiences.
- Buzz Lightyear: Pixar’s hero returns sky-high.
- PAC-MAN: The classic arcade legend gets balloon status.
- Shrek’s Onion Carriage: A treat for fans of all ages.
- Mario: Nintendo’s superstar jumps into the parade spotlight.
The commentary lineup of Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker from TODAY guarantees a lively, informed, and always heartwarming take on the parade’s traditions and surprises (NBC Insider).
Why the Macy’s Parade Still Matters in 2025
For nearly a century, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has captured the nation’s imagination—not just as a spectacle, but as a vessel for community, nostalgia, and the shared start of the holiday season. It’s a tradition that bridges the familiar (Santa’s arrival, iconic floats) with the contemporary—from cultural touchstones like Stranger Things and the enduring Toy Story franchise to new musical acts that speak to a younger generation.
Behind the scenes, the parade handles extraordinary logistical challenges. Creating new balloon characters requires artistic collaboration with pop culture giants, as well as technical expertise due to complexities like wind and urban navigation. The event also drives economic and tourism surges throughout New York City, and it’s a yearly reminder of Manhattan’s unique ability to bring spectacle to the world stage (NBC Insider).
Cultural Impact & The Lifelong Fan Community
The parade remains embedded in the American consciousness, a launch point for young talent, beloved nostalgia for older viewers, and a social event that gets families talking. Fans debate the best floats and balloons year after year, while musicians, Broadway troupes, and viral stars all see the parade as a career milestone.
For fans, there’s also the joy of tradition: favorite spots to line the route, pre-show balloon inflation, and the shared excitement in discovering old favorites and unexpected new themes in every edition.
Stay Engaged for Ultimate Holiday Coverage
After the parade concludes, NBC immediately shifts to the National Dog Show, hosted by John O’Hurley and David Frei, a double-feature broadcast that highlights why Thanksgiving morning coverage is unmatched for fans of pageantry and performance.
For the fastest, most definitive takes on American pop culture events, keep exploring onlytrustedinfo.com for expert breakdowns, inside scoops, and all the essential news you won’t find anywhere else first.
