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The holidays are finally here and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is kicking off the most festive time of year on Thursday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day.
The 99th edition of the parade will air at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC with an encore telecast at 2 p.m. ET. Those without cable or dealing with the NBC Blackout on FuboTV can watch the special for free through DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Sling and Peacock are other great options for streaming the parade and promotional offers are available. A Peacock subscription starts at just $10.99 a month and features NBC and Bravo content as well as live sports, hit films and Peacock originals.
America’s most-watched telecast of the year features spectacular balloons that take flight over the streets of New York City alongside incredible floats, marching bands and performances by stars of the stage and screen.
TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will return to host the broadcast this year.
What celebrities will be at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025?
“Wicked: For Good” star Cynthia Erivo will kick off the broadcast by performing the opening number. Country artist Lainey Wilson, who appeared in the final season of Yellowstone, is taking the stage in front of Macy’s in Midtown Manhattan’s Herald Square, where she’ll perform her hits.
Some of the other performances include EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/X from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. There will also be hits performed from the Broadway shows Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, and Ragtime.
Expect more musical and dance performances by Drew Baldridge, Matteo Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Gavin DeGraw, Meg Donnelly, Mr. Fantasy, Foreigner, Debbie Gibson, Conan Gray, Mickey Guyton, Christopher Jackson, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Darlene Love, Roman Mejia, Taylor Momsen, Tiler Peck, the Radio City Rockettes, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith, Luísa Sonza and Teyana Taylor. There will also be appearances by Nikki DeLoach, U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin, Kristoffer Polaha, U.S Paralympian Jack Wallace, and special correspondent Sean Evans.
Are there any new balloons in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
This year, four new featured character balloons will debut, including Buzz Lightyear by Pixar Animation Studios; PAC-MAN by Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Inc.; Shrek’s Onion Carriage from Universal Pictures’ DreamWorks Animation; and Mario by Nintendo.
Also, Derpy Tiger and Sussie from Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters will join the line-up as a mid-sized balloon and balloonicle, respectively.
Six new floats will also debut, including the following:
- The Land of Ice & Wonder by Holland America Line
- Brick-tastic Winter Mountain by The LEGO Group
- Master Chocolatier Ballroom by Lindt
- Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Netflix
- Friends-giving in POPCITY by Pop Mart
- The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator by Serta
The debuting floats will join a lineup of fan favorites, including Santa’s Sleigh.
Below is a look at this year’s parade from NBC News’ YouTube Channel:
How can I watch the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” without cable?
Those without cable or dealing with the NBC Blackout on FuboTV can watch the special for free through DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Sling and Peacock are other great options for streaming the parade and promotional offers are available.
What is FuboTV?
FuboTV is an over-the-top internet live TV streaming service that offers more than 100 channels, like sports, news, entertainment and local channels. It offers DVR storage space, and is designed for people who want to cut the cord, but don’t want to miss out on their favorite live TV and sports. FuboTV offers $20 off your first month.
What is DIRECTV?
The streaming platform offers a plethora of content including streaming the best of live and On Demand, starting with more than 75 live TV channels.
What is Sling?
Sling TV is the first app-based TV service letting you stream live television and on-demand content over the internet. With Sling TV, you get to choose the television option that’s right for you, including Channel Add-ons, Premiums Add-ons, DVR Plus and more.
