Thanksgiving Day is finally here, and besides the pie and turkey, one of the highlights of the day is the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off Thursday, Nov. 27, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ends at Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square in New York City. This year’s lineup will feature more than 5,000 volunteers, 34 balloons, four balloonicles, 29 floats, 15 specialty units, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, performance groups and musical acts, according to Macy’s website.
“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the official kickoff to the holiday season and has been part of the nation’s stories and traditions for generations,” Will Coss, executive producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, told NBC. “The most wonderful stories start at the parade.”
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s parade, including where to watch and which balloons to look out for.
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs live on Nov. 27 at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC, and will be available to stream on Peacock.
Who is hosting the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
“Today” show hosts Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, as well as former co-anchor Hoda Kotb, will host the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
How to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to air on NBC from 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones on Thursday, Nov. 27. The event will also stream on Peacock. An encore on NBC will follow at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
A Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by the network’s Andrea Meza, Clovis Nienow and Aleyda Ortiz.
Watch the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Peacock
How long is the parade?
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will run for a full 3-and-a-half hours between 8:30 a.m. to noon.
New 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons
The annual parade will feature 34 balloons, including the debut of five all-new balloons:
New floats at the 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade
Six new floats will also debut during the 2025 parade, including:
Who will perform at the 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The following stars are scheduled to perform at this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
Also making appearances at the 2025 parade are Nikki DeLoach, U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin, Kristoffer Polaha, U.S Paralympian Jack Wallace and Sean Evans in a special correspondent role, according to NBC.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has five new balloons. How to watch
Reporting by Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
