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NEED TO KNOW
The 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is happening on Nov. 27
New balloons include Buzz Lightyear, Mario and Derpy Tiger from KPop Demon Hunters
Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo will open the parade with a "show-stopping" performance
Gobble gobble, it's almost time for Tom Turkey!
The holiday season is about to officially kick off with the 99th annualMacy's Thanksgiving Paradeon Nov. 27.
Every year,over 3 million peoplegather in New York City to watch the spectacle, and more than 31 million tuned in last year from the comfort of their homes, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. It's a time-honored tradition filled with live performances, larger-than-life balloons and unforgettable floats.
In addition to new sights, there will be performances by theRadio City Rockettes— who are celebrating their 100th anniversary — the singing voices behind HUNTR/X fromKPop Demon Huntersand of course, Santa Claus.
Here's everything to know about the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
When is the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
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The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
As in years past, it will start at West 77th Street and Central Park West, making its way to Macy's Herald Square via Sixth Avenue, according toits route.
How can I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
ara Howe/NBC via Getty
The three-and-a-half-hour event will air onNBCandPeacockfrom 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be hosted byTodayshow'sSavannah GuthrieandAl Roker, who will be joined by former co-anchorHoda Kotb.
For those busy preparing the turkey at that time, there will be an encore presentation at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
Simultaneously,Telemundois offering coverage of the parade exclusively in Spanish, hosted by Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow.
Who is performing at the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
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As is tradition, the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature a stellar lineup of performers.
Wicked: For Good starCynthia Erivowill open the festivities with a "show-stopping opening number," according toNBC.
Meanwhile,Busta Rhymeswill be making his Macy's Thanksgiving Parade debut, performing on the World of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chocolate Factory float, per theevent's lineup.
The singing triobehind HUNTR/X from the animated sensationKPop Demon Hunters— EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI — will also wow the crowd.
In addition, there will be numbers from the Radio City Rockettes, as well as the casts of Broadway musicals, such asBuena Vista Social Club,Just in TimeandRagtime, perPlaybill.
Other notable acts includeCiara, Mickey Guyton, Christopher Jackson,Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Darlene Love, Taylor Momsen, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Teyana Taylor and more.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade roster will be comprised of 26 performers, 11 marching bands and nine performance groups.
What floats will appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
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Float masterJohn Cheneyand a team of over 30 others work at the Macy's Parade Studio in Moonachie, N.J., ahead of Thanksgiving to create out-of-this-world rolling masterpieces.
On Nov. 27, audiences will see new floats grace N.Y.C.'s famous streets.
Parade creative director Brendan Kennedy tookNBC's Dylan Dreyerbehind the scenes at the Moonachie warehouse, where he shared the first looks of a Pop Mart float, complete with a giant Labubu, and aStranger Thingsfloat with a life-size Demogorgon.
"It's magic to have our friends [from]Stranger Thingsjoin us at the parade and spook the guests a little bit," Kennedy said.
During the interview, Dreyer also highlighted a few jaw-dropping material statistics, revealing that 2,000 gallons of paint, 300 lbs. of glitter and 200 lbs. of confetti were used for the 2025 floats.
"We think of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as this sort of snapshot of pop culture," Kennedy toldABC7 Eyewitness News. "This is truly the yearbook of what's going on out there, so we're always trying to plus-up the parade experience."
He also noted that the Pop Mart's Labubu and Lacoco inflatable furry balloons are "a first ever in parade history."
What balloons will appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
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There aren't just more floats in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; there are more balloons, too.
This year's parade features familiar faces like Snoopy and Spider-Man, as well as some exciting new additions, including Buzz Lightyear, Mario, PAC-MAN and Shrek's Onion Carriage.
Derpy Tiger fromKPop Demon Hunterswill also make its balloon debut.
For those who are lifetime parade fans, Pikachu, Smokey Bear and the Pillsbury Doughboy will also be floating through the streets of Manhattan.
Read the original article onPeople
