2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Schedule, Encore Broadcast, Performances, and More

Thanksgiving has arrived, bringing with it family gatherings, delicious meals, and the spectacle of a giant Snoopy balloon making its way to Macy's Herald Square. The 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began today at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC and was also streamed live on Peacock with a multi-angle viewing option.

This year's parade showcased 27 floats, 32 balloons, three ballonicles, and performances by Cynthia Erivo, country star Lainey Wilson, along with Broadway shows including Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, and Ragtime.

If you missed the live event, it is available to stream now on Peacock, and NBC will air an encore broadcast at 2 p.m. ET.

Parade Schedule

The 2025 Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thanksgiving morning, starting at 8:30 a.m. ET / 5:30 a.m. PT, with a replay on NBC at 2 p.m. ET/PT. The parade lasts about 3.5 hours, concluding at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT before the encore broadcast.

Where to Watch

The parade airs on NBC and streams live on Peacock. Over-the-air NBC access may allow free viewing, or you can use streaming platforms for access without cable.

Watching Without Cable

Walmart+ members receive Peacock Premium at no extra cost. An annual Walmart+ subscription is currently $49 (regularly $98) and includes benefits such as discounts on Apple Music, Cinemark movie tickets, free shipping, and gas savings. Peacock offers original shows, movies, live sports, and upcoming events including the 2026 Super Bowl. Regular Peacock subscriptions cost $80 per year, but Walmart+ members get the ad-supported version free.

Performers in 2025

The parade features a wide array of artists including Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI, 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, Radio City Rockettes, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith, Lusa Sonza, and Teyana Taylor. Broadway casts performing include Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, and Ragtime.

Floats and Balloons

The parade features 32 balloons, three ballonicles, 27 floats, 33 clown groups, and 11 marching bands. Six new floats make their debut:

• 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

Four new character balloons are introduced in 2025:

• Buzz Lightyear (Pixar Animation Studios)
• PAC-MAN (Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Inc.)
• Shrek's Onion Carriage (Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation)
• Mario (Nintendo)

Additional mid-sized balloons include Derpy Tiger and Sussie from Netflixs K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Hosts

Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker from The Today Show are hosting NBC's broadcast again this year.

Free Viewing Options

You can watch the parade and Thanksgiving football for free through trial periods on various streaming platforms:

• DirecTV Choice free trial
• Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial
• YouTube TV free trial available

Author's Analysis: Macy's 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade Highlights

The 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade delivered a mix of tradition and new attractions, emphasizing both classic spectacle and contemporary pop culture. With 27 floats, 32 balloons, three ballonicles, and multiple Broadway performances, this year's event maintained its status as a key holiday celebration.

Notably, four new character balloons—Buzz Lightyear, PAC-MAN, Shrek's Onion Carriage, and Mario—reflect a growing focus on franchises with broad fan bases. Six new floats, including themes from LEGO, Netflix, and Lindt, showcase corporate partnerships that are increasingly central to the parade experience.

From a viewing perspective, NBC and Peacock ensured accessibility, offering live streaming with multi-angle options and a replay at 2 p.m. ET. Walmart+ members gain additional access to Peacock Premium, highlighting the trend of integrating subscription services into traditional broadcast events.

The parade's roster of performers, including Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson, and Broadway casts, demonstrates a continued blend of music genres and theatrical talent. This mix ensures appeal to multiple generations, while the inclusion of new mid-sized balloons adds visual diversity along the route.

Overall, the 2025 parade balances nostalgia with modern entertainment trends, leveraging streaming platforms and corporate collaborations to reach wider audiences while retaining the core experience that has defined Macy's Thanksgiving tradition for decades.

Sources:

• What time is the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? How to watch the encore broadcast, performances and more