The iconic balloons and creative floats are back in the Big Apple on Thanksgiving.
The 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to be held on Nov. 27—an event that brings more than 3.5 million spectators to New York City and 50 million-plus viewers at home, kicking off the holiday season. The parade will be hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker and broadcast on NBC.
This year’s lineup will feature 18 giant helium balloons, 33 mid-sized balloons, 29 floats, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, nine performance groups, and a host of musical stars.
Here’s what to know about where to watch the 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade begins at 6:30 a.m. MT/ 7:30 a.m. CT. An encore presentation will air 12 p.m. MT/ 1 p.m. CT.
How to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be televised on NBC on Thursday, Nov. 27. The event will also stream on Peacock.
How long is the parade?
The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will run for 3.5 hours.
Balloons Macy Thanksgiving Parade
While the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is bringing back its signature balloons, like Snoopy (a staple since 1968) and SpongeBob, some new characters are being thrown into the mix.
Derpy Tiger and Sussie are characters from the 2025 animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” by Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix. If you’ve seen the film, they are depicted as supernatural creatures who are first seen when protagonist Rumi takes notice of Sussie’s presence on her balcony.
There are four new balloons this year:
Here are six new floats making an appearance:
Who is performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025?
Cynthia Erivo from “Wicked: For Good” is set to open the parade.
Other performers include the singing voices of HUNTR/X from “KPop Demon Hunters, country artist Lainey Wilson, Drew Baldridge, Matteo Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Gavin DeGraw, Meg Donnelly, Mr. Fantasy, Foreigner, Debbie Gibson, Mickey Guyton, Christopher Jackson, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Darlene Love, Roman Mejia, Taylor Momsen, Tiler Peck, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith, Luísa Sonza, and Teyana Taylor.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: When does Macy’s Day Parade start? How to watch, time, new balloons
Reporting by Natassia Paloma, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
