The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade promises to be a spectacular event in New York City. Scheduled for Thursday, the parade will showcase 34 balloons and 28 floats, along with a diverse lineup of talented performers.
Parade Schedule and Route
The festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. ET, broadcasting live on NBC and Peacock. The parade will end at noon, with an encore presentation at 2 p.m. Early attendees can start gathering from 6 a.m. onwards.
The parade kicks off on West 77th Street and Central Park West, covering a distance of 2½ miles. Key viewing areas include:
- Central Park West: From West 75th to West 63rd Streets.
- West 59th Street: South side between Columbus Circle and Sixth Avenue.
- Sixth Avenue: From West 59th to West 38th Streets, avoiding West 34th to West 38th Streets where views are limited.
Balloon Preparation and Public Viewing
On Thanksgiving Eve, parade enthusiasts can witness the balloon inflation from 1 to 6 p.m. ET. The public can enter the viewing area starting at noon from West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. The balloons will be displayed along West 77th Street and into Columbus Avenue.
Exciting Performers of 2025
This year’s lineup features 28 performers, including:
- Cynthia Erivo, starring in the opening number.
- Lainey Wilson, performing her hits.
- Ciara, Callum Scott, and other renowned artists.
The parade will also include 11 marching bands, 33 clown crews, and nine performance groups, ensuring an entertaining experience for all.
New Additions for 2025
Four new character balloons will debut this year:
- Buzz Lightyear (Pixar Animation Studios)
- Pac-Man (Bandai Namco)
- Shrek’s Onion Carriage (DreamWorks Animation)
- Mario (Nintendo)
Additionally, six new floats will enhance the parade experience, including:
- The Land of Ice & Wonder (Holland America Line)
- Brick-tastic Winter Mountain (Lego Group)
- Master Chocolatier Ballroom (Lindt)
- Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things (Netflix)
- Friends-giving in POP CITY (Pop Mart)
- Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator (Serta)
As always, Santa’s Sleigh will bring the parade to a festive close. Don’t miss this beloved tradition that signals the start of the holiday season!
