From towering balloons to Broadway moments, our 2025 guide to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings you everything you need to welcome Thanksgiving in true NYC style.

As November deepens and the last amber leaves cling to the branches in Central Park, New York begins its quiet shift into the holiday season. The air sharpens, the mornings brighten a little earlier, and a familiar anticipation settles in. The kind that stretches across the city from the Upper West Side to Herald Square. It is the feeling that Thanksgiving is near, and with it, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Now entering its 99th year, the parade remains one of New York’s most treasured rituals. Part tradition, part spectacle, part childhood memory come to life. What began in 1924 as a small procession created by Macy’s employees has grown into a cultural landmark, an annual moment when millions line the streets or gather around their televisions to watch the city transform into a stage of wonder.

The floats are grander now, the performances more ambitious, the balloons impossibly taller. Shifting and swaying between skyscrapers like characters lifted straight from a child’s imagination. Some faces return each year like old friends, while others make their debut for a new generation. And woven through it all is the city itself: the cheers rising from Central Park West, the quiet hum of early-morning setup crews, the way families tuck into blankets and thermoses of hot chocolate before the first balloon even appears.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is not simply watched—it is felt. A shared moment that marks not just the start of the holiday season, but a reminder of how New York gathers, celebrates, and builds tradition year after year.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is More Than Meets the Eye

What most people never see is the machinery behind the magic. The designers sketching through the summer heat, the welders and sculptors shaping each float, the balloon crews training in the early morning darkness. Thousands of people build this parade long before a single spectator arrives. That quiet, unseen work gives the spectacle its soul. And whether you are watching for the first time or returning with your own family traditions, the 2025 parade carries the same promise it always has: a morning when New York gathers, breathes in the cold, and lets itself believe in wonder again.

A Brief History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

The Humble Beginnings

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began with far simpler intentions than the spectacle it has become. In 1924, long before the television cameras and the worldwide attention, Macy’s immigrant employees imagined a celebration that felt joyful, communal, and distinctly New York. They wanted to usher in the holiday season with something bigger than a sale. Something that invited the entire city into the magic.

That first parade, then called the Macy’s Christmas Parade, moved through Manhattan as a lively procession of marching bands, papier-mâché floats, clowns, and animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. Elephants lumbered beside costumed performers, camels and bears followed musicians, and more than 250,000 New Yorkers lined the streets to watch a tradition quietly take root.

The finale arrived with Santa Claus, welcomed at Herald Square by crowds of cheering children as he took his place atop a makeshift winter wonderland. It was a simple gesture, but it carried the emotional weight of a city ready to step into the season together. The iconic giant balloons had not yet made their debut, that innovation would arrive a few years later—but the spirit that defines the parade was already unmistakable.

What began as a heartfelt offering has since grown into a fixture of American culture. The early parades, humble in scale but rich in imagination, continue to echo through the modern celebration, keeping the charm of that very first march alive in the city’s collective memory.

Evolution Over the Years

As New York transformed through the decades, so did its Thanksgiving parade. The turning point came in 1927, when Macy’s partnered with visionary puppeteer Tony Sarg to reimagine the procession’s scale. His idea to replace live animals with enormous, helium-filled characters changed the parade forever. When Felix the Cat drifted above Manhattan for the first time, spectators looked up in collective astonishment, unaware they were witnessing the birth of an American icon.

The balloons multiplied as the years moved forward. Mickey Mouse arrived in 1934, offering a bit of light in the middle of the Depression. Snoopy followed in 1968, beginning a long-standing love story between the beagle and the parade. Each version mirrored its moment in pop culture. These characters did not just entertain. They became part of the city’s holiday vocabulary, familiar faces returning each November.

The parade’s evolution has not been without interruption. During World War II, rubber and helium were urgently needed elsewhere, grounding the beloved balloons in 1942. Macy’s donated the material to the war effort, a gesture that reflected the era’s sense of unity and sacrifice. But New York’s traditions have a way of resurfacing, and when the parade returned in 1945, it did so with renewed exuberance. A reminder that celebration has always been part of the city’s resilience.

What began with a single balloon floating above a cautious crowd has grown into a spectacle woven into the cultural fabric of the country. The parade continues to evolve with each generation, but the magic of looking up and feeling small in the most wonderful way remains unchanged.

A Cultural Icon

By the 1950s, the parade had stepped fully into its role as a national holiday ritual. The floats grew more elaborate, the performances more theatrical, and a steady stream of celebrities began to fold themselves into the spectacle. When the parade first aired on television in 1948, millions of Americans who had never set foot in New York suddenly felt part of the morning tradition. That broadcast changed everything. It transformed a local celebration into a piece of shared national memory.

Today, an estimated 50 million viewers tune in each year. And on the streets, the experience feels both timeless and new. State-of-the-art technology blends seamlessly with nostalgia: classic character balloons glide past digital displays, Broadway casts perform alongside marching bands, and the city’s skyline becomes the parade’s unofficial stage. The modern parade reflects New York itself, past, present, and future, woven together in a single, joyful procession.

What to Expect at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Date and Time

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 will take place on Thursday, November 27, beginning at 8:30 AM and concluding around 12 PM ET. Now in its 99th year, the parade carries the same unmistakable excitement. A blend of nostalgia, anticipation, and city-wide celebration, as spectators gather along the route before dawn, waiting for the first balloons to rise between the buildings.

This year’s parade brings a refreshed lineup of giant character balloons, new floats, returning favorites, and live performances that reflect the spirit of New York during the holiday season. Whether you are watching from the sidewalk or from home, this is the moment that unofficially begins winter in the city.

What to Expect: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2025

This year’s parade brings a refreshed lineup that blends tradition with new cultural touchpoints. Organizers have confirmed roughly 32 giant balloons, seven balloonicles, 27 floats, and 11 marching bands, along with a full roster of Broadway casts, celebrity guests, specialty performance groups, and the dozens of clown crews that have become part of the parade’s charm.

New balloons making their debut in 2025 include Buzz Lightyear, Mario, and Pac-Man, each tested earlier this month at MetLife Stadium before preparing to take flight over Manhattan. On the float side, the parade introduces a whimsical Pop Mart Labubu creation, a cinematic Stranger Things: Upside-Down Invasion float, and an unexpected moment of delight, a miniature Goldfish float, the smallest in parade history. Together, they join longtime favorites to create a celebration that feels both familiar and newly alive.

The Route

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Route Highlight

The 2025 parade follows its classic path through Manhattan, beginning at 77th Street and Central Park West before journeying south toward Herald Square. While there is no public viewing at the starting point, early risers traditionally gather along Central Park West from West 75th Street down to West 61st Street, where the balloons appear at their most dramatic as they clear the treetops and glide past the park’s stone walls.

The route continues through Columbus Circle, where viewing is restricted, before turning onto Central Park South and moving down Sixth Avenue. The stretch between 59th Street and 38th Street remains one of the most reliable places to watch the parade unfold, offering clear sightlines for floats and performances.

As always, viewing is limited between 34th and 38th Streets on Sixth Avenue—the broadcast zone. And there is no public access at the parade’s finale in front of Macy’s Herald Square, where performers and cameras gather for the televised show. For most spectators, the magic lives in the middle of the route: the slow reveal of floats against the morning light, the balloons cresting above the crowds, and the rhythm of the city moving in step with the parade.

The Spectacle of Floats and Balloons

Part of the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade lies in the moment the first balloon rounds the corner and begins its slow, towering glide over the crowd. The city shifts, camera phones rise, children press against barricades, and the morning feels suddenly weightless. No matter how many years you have watched, that lift is unmistakable.

The parade’s floats and balloons have always carried the emotional center of the day. They mix nostalgia with the thrill of the new, giving the city a reason to look up and remember what wonder feels like.

Iconic Balloons

Some balloons return year after year like familiar holiday guests, figures so woven into the tradition that Thanksgiving morning would feel incomplete without them.

Snoopy remains the parade’s unofficial mascot, a role he has held since 1968. Each iteration marks a moment in pop culture, from Flying Ace to Astronaut, and his arrival always draws a collective smile from the crowd.

Mickey Mouse, first introduced in 1934, continues to float with the ease of a character who needs no introduction. His grin may evolve from decade to decade, but the joy he brings is constant.

Spider-Man, added in 1987, still commands the kind of reaction that ripples through the avenue—proof that certain heroes never lose their pull, especially in a city built on resilience.

The Grinch, who first appeared in 1998, brings an annual bit of mischief. Children laugh, adults lean into the nostalgia, and the balloon’s exaggerated expression reminds everyone of the season’s softer lesson: that the holidays, at their core, are about heart.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: New Additions for 2025

Each year, a few newcomers join the tradition, giving the parade that blend of memory and discovery. For 2025, parade officials have confirmed:

• Buzz Lightyear, returning after a multi-year hiatus with a newly redesigned suit
• Mario, in a brighter, more animated form, in celebration of the character’s continued cultural resurgence
• Pac-Man, making his parade debut in a retro-inspired balloon that has already gone viral from inflation-day previews
• Additional character balloons that will be announced the week of Thanksgiving

These arrivals were tested earlier this month at MetLife Stadium. An annual ritual that gives the public an early glimpse of which characters will dominate social feeds on Thanksgiving morning.

The mix feels unmistakably 2025: a blend of classic animation, 80s nostalgia, and family-friendly icons that resonate across generations.

Impressive Floats at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

If the balloons bring the parade’s sense of wonder, the floats deliver its storytelling. They move down the avenue like rolling stages. Self-contained worlds built with the kind of craftsmanship that rewards both a quick glance and a second, lingering look. Sculptors, engineers, painters, and designers work for months behind the scenes, creating pieces that must feel magical from a distance yet detailed enough to captivate anyone who finds themselves close to the curb.

Some floats have become part of the parade’s shared memory.
The Big Apple Float, with its playful sweep of the skyline and its unmistakably New York spirit, feels like a love letter rising above the crowd. It shrinks the city into a single whimsical scene. A reminder that New York can be both enormous and intimate in the same breath.

Others showcase the city’s cultural pulse.
The Broadway Spectacular Float transforms a stretch of Sixth Avenue into a moving theater, complete with musical excerpts and choreography that bounce between the buildings. For a few fleeting moments, the energy of Times Square arrives at street level, reminding spectators that New York’s stages beat at the heart of its identity.

What makes these floats enduring is not just their scale but their intention.
Each one is a blend of nostalgia and invention, carried forward by the parade’s nearly century-long tradition of imagination. Whether a float nods to the city, celebrates pop culture, or brings a beloved story to life, it does more than entertain. It invites New Yorkers and visitors alike into a shared moment of delight.

They are moving postcards of the holiday season, crafted to be remembered long after they roll out of sight.

New Floats For the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Each year, the parade stretches the edge of tradition, rolling forward with a fresh fleet of floats that reflect where pop culture, design, and festive spirit collide. In 2025, the parade welcomes seven new floats, each one crafted to dazzle along the route, drawing eyes upward as much as they draw cheers.

The lineup includes:

• Brick-tastic Winter Mountain by LEGO – A sweeping nod to snowy peaks, penguin hockey, and yetis on ice.
• Master Chocolatier Ballroom by Lindt – Chocolate tones, glittering confection details, and dancers swirling as if in a cocoa-dust fog.
• Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Stranger Things – Fans of Hawkins will spot the Demogorgon silhouette peering through stylized woods, a clever twist on wonder and nostalgia.
• Friends-giving in POPCITY by Pop Mart [featuring Labubu] – A bright, collectible-culture float turning street-level joy into parade spectacle.
• The Littlest Float by Goldfish – Less than eight feet long, it offers a playful miniature experience in a sea of giant stages.
• The Land of Glaciers, Wildlife & Wonder by Holland America Line – Celebrating 80 years of Alaskan voyages, this float brings the north’s grandeur to mid-Manhattan.
• The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator by Serta – A whimsical tribute to sleep, featuring floating mattress clouds and animated sheep soaring above.

The Craft Behind the Magic

These floats join perennial favorites like the Big Apple and Broadway Spectacular, but each new addition brings a distinct visual language. Skills honed over months of designers, sculptors, and engineers at work behind the scenes. What you see for a few dazzling minutes is the result of hundreds, even thousands, of hours of craft.

When you’re standing along Sixth Avenue on parade morning and a float glides by, give yourself a moment to watch the tiny details. The grain of the faux wood, the subtle shadow beneath an elk’s hooves, the expression on a toy-inspired character. In that instant, you feel the link between yesterday’s tradition and today’s imagination.

Entertainment and Performances

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is not just about balloons floating overhead and floats rolling by. It is a live spectacle set to the rhythm of music, dance, and New York vigor. For 2025, organisers have assembled a lineup that bridges multiple generations and genres: from hip-hop legends to timeless rockers, from Broadway casts to the precision artistry of the Rockettes.

This year’s broadcast will feature performances by Ciara, Busta Rhymes, Lil Jon, Debbie Gibson, and classic rockers Foreigner, along with Darlene Love and Kool & The Gang. Broadway voices will echo through the morning as casts from shows such as Wicked and & Juliet take the route. And of course, the iconic Radio City Rockettes return, their high-kicks now parading down Sixth Avenue alongside choreographed units and dance crews spread throughout the crowd.

From the curbside excitement to the television audience watching millions deep, the live musical moments turn Manhattan’s early morning into a stage, shifting seamlessly from glittering pop to precision drill, from horn sections to Broadway belt-outs. If the floats and balloons shape the visual spectacle, the performers infuse it with pulse. Together, they transform one city block into a moment of shared joy, broadcast and street-level alike.

Special Appearances

Beyond the floats, balloons, and musical acts, the 99th edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature an array of notable guests, athletes, and cultural figures who add unexpected moments and personal connection to the spectacle. Unlike reserved seats or televised spots, many of these guests serve as balloon handlers or join marching units, weaving themselves into the fabric of Manhattan’s early-morning celebration.

Among those confirmed for 2025 are U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin and Paralympic medalist Jack Wallace, bridging elite sport with holiday cheer. Special correspondent Sean Evans, of Hot Ones fame, will report live from the parade route, bringing an on-the-ground perspective often reserved for late-night broadcasts. Actress and producer Nikki DeLoach is also listed as a guest, demonstrating the parade’s ability to connect entertainment, athleticism, and civic celebration in a single morning.

Together, these appearances add depth to the parade’s narrative. They remind viewers that the holiday tradition is not about spectacle. It is about shared experience, unexpected crossover, and the city’s ability to bring together disparate worlds under one festive sky.

Best Tips for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025

Arrive Early

If you are planning to watch along the route, think of Thanksgiving morning as a marathon, not a sprint. Crowds begin forming before sunrise, and the most popular stretches, Central Park West and Sixth Avenue, can fill by 6:30 AM. For a clear, unobstructed view, aim to arrive 2–3 hours before the 8:30 AM kickoff. The earlier you settle in, the more space you will have to actually enjoy the magic rather than fighting for it.

Dress for the Weather

Late November in New York can be unforgiving. Temperatures hover in the low 40s, but the wind along the avenues makes it feel colder. Layer intentionally: thermal base, warm sweater, insulated coat, hat, scarf, gloves. Comfortable shoes are essential, as you may be standing for several hours. Hand warmers are a small luxury that feels like a gift from the heavens.

Bring Essentials

Once you have claimed your spot, leaving it becomes nearly impossible. Bring the basics: snacks, a warm drink, a portable phone charger, tissues, and whatever else keeps you comfortable. Vendors are scattered along the route, but lines grow long and offerings can be inconsistent. Arriving prepared allows you to stay fully present.

Use Public Transportation

Avoid driving at all costs; road closures, reroutes, and heavy congestion make it stressful and impractical. The subway is the most reliable option, with stations close to nearly every viewing zone. Expect crowds but smooth service; Thanksgiving morning is one of the few major holidays when the MTA genuinely shines.

Know the Best Viewing Locations

The route for the 2025 parade remains the same, and certain stretches consistently offer better visibility and atmosphere:

• Central Park West [75th–61st Streets]
  The classic viewing zone. Spacious sidewalks, wide sightlines, and the most peaceful segment of the parade.
• Central Park South & Sixth Avenue
  As the parade turns and begins its downtown descent, the energy builds. This area offers excellent views for photography. The buildings create a canyon that makes the balloons feel even larger.
• Sixth Avenue [59th–38th Streets]
  Reliable visibility, predictable spacing, and strong crowd energy. Avoid 34th–38th Streets due to restricted broadcast zones.
• Herald Square [TV Zone – No Public Viewing]
  This is where the televised performances occur, but not where the public can stand.

Stay Safe

The parade is festive but crowded. Keep valuables secured, stay aware of your surroundings, and choose a designated meeting point in case your group separates. Cell service can be spotty due to the volume of people; do not rely on texts to go through immediately.

Consider Watching From Home

If standing outside for hours is not appealing or if you prefer a front-row seat to the performances, watching from home is a worthy option. NBC, Peacock, and local stations will broadcast live beginning at 8:30 AM. The televised experience includes exclusive performances you will not see along the route.

Additional Activities in NYC on Thanksgiving

If you’re in New York City for Thanksgiving, there’s much more to experience beyond the parade.

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

When the parade wraps and the crowds drift south, the city opens into a quieter, still-festive rhythm. One of the most quintessential post-parade rituals is ice skating at Rockefeller Center, where the rink glows beneath the early-season lights and the plaza hums with holiday anticipation. The tree will not be lit until the following week, but the atmosphere is unmistakably New York: crisp air, gold flags, and the soft echo of blades on ice.

Holiday Markets

Thanksgiving also marks the unofficial start of holiday market season across the city. The Union Square Holiday Market is the most beloved, a maze of vendors offering handcrafted ceramics, artisanal chocolates, small-batch skincare, ornaments, textiles, and every warm drink imaginable. Closer to Midtown, the stalls at Bryant Park’s Winter Village spill out beneath the city’s skyline, surrounding the rink with everything from jewelry and home décor to global street foods.

Enjoy a Thanksgiving Meal

After the parade winds its way to Herald Square and the last notes of the marching bands fade into the crisp November air, the city shifts into a quieter, more intimate rhythm. Families, visitors, and locals slip into warm dining rooms across Manhattan for long lunches, celebratory dinners, or a lingering glass of wine before heading home.

Whether you are coming straight from the parade route or planning a festive meal later in the evening, here are a few thoughtful places to consider for Thanksgiving 2025. Each offering its own version of comfort, indulgence, and holiday charm.

Where to Eat Near the Balloon Inflation Event [Upper West Side]

Bella Luna

📍 Location: 574 Columbus Ave — Upper West Side, Manhattan

A comforting, family-friendly Italian restaurant just blocks from the balloon inflation area. Bella Luna has been a neighborhood favorite for decades, and on Thanksgiving week, it feels even more welcoming — a mix of locals, families with small children still buzzing from seeing the balloons, and visitors seeking a warm place to unwind.

Expect all-day classics: signature meatballs, house-made lasagna, Bella Luna pizza, and one of the Upper West Side’s most beloved tiramisu. Seasonal specials, thoughtful cocktails, and an approachable Italian wine list round out the experience.

Make a Reservation: Resy

Where to Eat After the Parade

Thanksgiving at The Times Square EDITION — The Terrace & Outdoor Gardens

📍 Location: 701 7th Avenue — Theater District, Manhattan | Price: $115++ per guest

Chef John Fraser reimagines traditional Thanksgiving dishes through a refined, contemporary lens. Think French Onion Focaccia, Black Truffle Taglierini, Roasted Heritage Turkey, Loch Duarte Salmon, and Pumpkin Cheesecake—all enjoyed amid lush greenery perched above the electric atmosphere of Times Square.

Make a Reservation: OpenTable

Olio e Più – A Cozy Italian Thanksgiving in the West Village

📍 Location: 3 Greenwich Ave — West Village

If your idea of Thanksgiving leans toward an Italian feast, Olio e Più’s holiday menu is warm, generous, and beautifully executed. Menu highlights include:

• Zuppa di Zucca Violina – butternut squash soup with fried sage
• Insalata di Mele – apples, pomegranate, gorgonzola, apple cider vinaigrette
• Tortelloni di Zucca – brown butter, sage, Parmigiano
• Tacchino Arrosto – roasted turkey with fried Brussels sprouts and cranberry gravy
• Pecan Cheesecake with praline

Their full à la carte menu is also available, making it an excellent option whether you are celebrating with family or slipping into a favorite booth for a more intimate holiday meal.

Make a Reservation: OpenTable

NEW: Bossa Brunch at Berimbau Brazilian Table

📍 Location: 3 West 36th Street — Midtown West | Date: Weekends in November & December | Time: 11:30 AM – 4 PM

If you are looking for something lively and culture-forward, Berimbau’s new Bossa Brunch blends Brazilian classics with New York rhythms. Expect dishes like Pão de Queijo Waffles, Focaccia Lox, and the cult-favorite Picanha Burger.

Live samba and bossa nova add to the atmosphere, making it an unexpected but joyful way to spend Thanksgiving weekend, especially if you are in Midtown for the parade.

Signature Caipirinhas [classic or tropical] keep the celebration going.

Make a Reservation: Resy

The Flatiron Room — A Jazz-Lit Thanksgiving Dinner

📍 Location: 37 West 26th Street — Nomad, Manhattan | 9 East 37th Street —Murray Hill, Manhattan | Price: $135 per person [five-course prix fixe]

For those who want Thanksgiving wrapped in a little mood and glamour, The Flatiron Room delivers. Floor-to-ceiling whiskey walls, live jazz, and one of the most atmospheric dining rooms in the city set the tone.

Menu offerings include:

• Oysters with Osetra caviar or cheese & charcuterie
• Butternut squash bisque, scallop crudo, or spiced meatballs
• Turkey two ways, 30-hour short ribs, grilled branzino, miso-glazed cauliflower steak, or dry-aged ribeye [+$40]
• House-made sides served family-style
• Apple strudel or pumpkin cheesecake for dessert

A stylish, grown-up way to end the holiday.

Make a Reservation: NoMAd | Murray Hill

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 Guide

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is more than a holiday ritual. It is New York’s great seasonal exhale, a moment when the city slows just enough for wonder to take up space again. The floats glide past like moving vignettes, the balloons rise against the November sky with familiar faces in tow, and the bands carry a kind of optimism that feels uniquely American, uniquely New York.

The magic is not just in the scale. It is in the small, human moments, the child on someone’s shoulders pointing toward a balloon with both hands, the stranger who shifts to make room at the barricade, the brief hush before a performance begins. These are the moments that shape Thanksgiving in this city; the moments people carry home long after the last float disappears into Herald Square.

As you map out your morning, whether you are staking out a spot along Central Park West, watching from a Midtown hotel window, or settling in at home with coffee and a blanket—let this guide anchor your plans. And remember: the day doesn’t end when the parade does. Thanksgiving in New York continues in the glow of Rockefeller Center, the hum of holiday markets, and the warmth of long lunches that stretch into late afternoons.

So bundle up, step into the day with a little softness, and let the city reveal the parts of the holiday that feel timeless.

Here is to creating your own quiet, joyful memories in the heart of New York.