Thanksgiving morning in New York City once again belongs to oversized icons floating above Manhattan. For the 99th time, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade will roll through the city with its signature mix of balloons, floats, bands, and live performances, drawing millions of spectators along the route and tens of millions more watching from home.
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade features 34 balloons, with five brand-new character debuts joining a lineup spanning generations of pop culture. And according to USA Today, among the most anticipated newcomers are PAC-MAN and Super Mario Bros.’ Mario, two video game legends making their first appearance in balloon form.
Buzz Lightyear joins them from Pixar’s Toy Story, Derpy Tiger from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, and Shrek’s Onion Carriage, featuring eight characters from DreamWorks’ long-running franchise.
The new PAC-MAN balloon stands out not just for nostalgia but for its scale. Measuring more than 37 feet tall and nearly 39 feet wide, it towers over the parade like a moving arcade cabinet in the sky.
While new characters headline this year’s updates, classic balloons remain a major draw of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Over the decades, familiar faces like Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog, Underdog, and Dora the Explorer have helped define the event’s visual identity.
Beyond balloons, the parade features 28 floats, including seven new designs debuting this year. New floats include a Lego-themed winter scene, tributes tied to Stranger Things, Lindor truffles, Holland America, and Serta, along with a 16-foot-tall Labubu.
Also new is a Goldfish snack brand float, notable for being the smallest in parade history at just eight inches tall, pulled by a remote-controlled pickup truck.
Live performances remain central to the spectacle. Scheduled performers include Lil Jon, Cynthia Erivo, and singers from KPop Demon Hunters, along with artists such as Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Foreigner, Shaggy, Jewel, Gavin DeGraw, and Colbie Caillat.
Broadway productions, including Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, and Ragtime, will perform near Herald Square, joined by the Rockettes, who are marking their 100th anniversary.
The parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. from West 77th Street and Central Park West, traveling a 2.5-mile route before ending at Macy’s Herald Square flagship. Coverage airs live on NBC and Peacock, with Spanish-language broadcasts on Telemundo.