Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: The Best, the Worst, the In-betweens

Thanksgiving feels real for many once the big parade rolls through New York City. Giant balloons drift between tall buildings as bands play and cast members from hit shows bring a bright rush of energy. This year marks the 99th run. It airs live on NBC and also streams on Peacock starting at eight thirty in all zones. An encore airs at two for anyone who wants to watch the magic again.

Thanksgiving feels real for many once the big parade rolls through New York City. Giant balloons drift between tall buildings as bands play and cast members from hit shows bring a bright rush of energy. This year marks the ninety-ninth anniversary run of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It airs live on NBC and also streams on Peacock starting at 8.30 in all zones. An encore airs at two for anyone who wants to watch the magic again!

Now that you have got the watching situations sorted, here is the best, the worst, and everything in between that happened at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Santa Claus brings big holiday energy to the route

Santa’s ride into Herald Square always feels like the real start of Christmas. He arrives with Mrs Claus and a sleigh packed with gifts. They close the parade and set the mood for the season. Their helpers move with them and bring a warm rush of joy to everyone watching. Once Santa reaches the end of the route, he slips back to the North Pole. He still has work to do before the big night arrives.

HUNTR/X brightens up the parade

The cheers for HUNTR X on TV felt strong, but the sound in person was on a whole other level. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI took the stage with their single Golden and brought a bright rush of energy to the front of Macy’s. They voiced Rumi, Mira, and Zoey in the animated hit and carried that same pulse into the parade. Their street uniform looks and sharp style made the whole moment feel alive.

The Radio City Rockettes kicked off their hundredth anniversary

 The Radio City Rockettes hit a huge moment at the 2025 Thanksgiving Parade. They have joined the parade since 1957, and this year marked one hundred years of their craft. They moved through the route with clean high kicks and a routine that felt polished and bright. The group began in St Louis in 1925 and grew into a steady part of American entertainment. They have performed at many major events, and they draw huge crowds each season at their Christmas show in New York City. Their work still carries a kind of joy that feels strong and timeless.

The Rockettes stay known for their sharp high kicks and a dance style that blends jazz and tap, and ballet into one clean line. Russell Markert shaped that style long ago, and it still stands as a sign of unity and strength. Their hundred-year run feels big, and this season brings new moments to match it. The Christmas Spectacular now uses a sound system built with tech inspired by the Sphere in Las Vegas. It gives the show a deep and full feel. The group also shared a four-part video series that looks back at their long path. A funny moment in the parade came when a girl told Al Roker she had already seen the show after he gave her a ticket. The Christmas Spectacular runs through early January.

MariskaHargitay and Christopher Meloni enlightens the parade

People at Herald Square got a fun surprise when two stars from a well known crime show appeared in a Starbucks ad during the parade. They joked about bringing drinks to the crowd and then made it happen. Hot cups showed up outside like a small holiday trick, and then the pair stepped out too. Many at home wished those warm drinks could reach their living rooms as well.

KPop Demon Hunters’ Derpy Tiger makes an appearance

The parade opened a fresh world when Derpy Tiger from a popular animated hit made his first balloon appearance. His bright blue coat, glowing eyes and wide grin stood out as he moved through New York City. The balloon reached twenty one feet in height and stretched far above the crowd. Derpy Tiger comes from Korean folk art where the tiger appears in playful paintings made to bring good luck. The balloon carried that same spirit, it mixed myth and music with a bold look that felt new and full of color. It also gave the holiday skyline a hero who felt lively and fun.

HUNTR/X performs ‘Golden’ live

The parade lit up with a big K pop moment when EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami brought HUNTR X to Herald Square with a live performance of Golden. They voice Rumi, Mira and Zoey in the animated hit and stepped into the parade with the same pulse and color from the film. Their street uniform look matched the vibe as dancers filled the space around them. The choreography hit clean and sharp and the crowd felt every move. The mix of hooks, Korean and English lines and strong harmonies turned the whole set into a bright scene that carried through the street and into homes. For fans, it felt like the group walked straight out of the movie. The film is streaming on Netflix.

Cynthia Erivo shows love to Queen Latifah

Right after opening the parade, CynthiaErivo spotted Queen Latifah in the stands and sent her a warm hug from a distance. Queen Latifah lit up and sent one right back. It was a sweet moment between two strong performers. Erivo had just started the event with a smooth take on ‘Feeling Good’ by Nina Simone. She sang with only a piano behind her and still held the crowd, and this came only days after she had lost her voice.

 PAC-MAN celebrates 45th anniversary

The parade brought a hit of old school joy when PAC MAN floated through Manhattan for the first time. The bright yellow icon has been eating dots and fruits since 1980 and now he took that hunger to the sky above New York City. The balloon kept his classic look with the big open mouth and red cherries in hand. He stood more than thirty seven feet tall and stretched wide across the street, which was a fun and bold sight.

Stranger Things brings its signature upside-down world

 Stranger Things pulled off a double debut this week. Just hours after the new season dropped its first part on Netflix, the Upside Down arrived at the Thanksgiving Parade with its first float. Matt and Ross Duffer helped shape the design, and their vision shows. Brendan Kennedy said, “The Duffer Brothers have been on it the whole time,” and added, “What we’re doing here is creating a world. This is fully experiential.“

 The float brought fans straight back into Hawkins National Laboratory. Smoke and lights set the scene as a huge Demogorgon puppet rose above the crowd. Kennedy called it “the laboratory come to life,” and that feels true. Even better, the float didn’t crash any streaming apps the way the new season did. Foreigner joined the moment, performing Cold as Ice while the Demogorgon lurked behind them. The new season is streaming now, with the next part arriving on Christmas Day and the finale on New Year’s Eve.

Mario makes a super debut

Mario made a loud entrance at the parade as he took to the sky for the first time. The moment marked forty years of Super Mario Bros., and the balloon felt like a real tribute to that history. Macy’s artists teamed up with Nintendo of America to shape the design, giving Mario his blue overalls, red cap and a flying pose inspired by Super Mario Galaxy. The balloon stretched more than fifty one feet and stood taller than many buildings along the route. Fans were reminded of how far the series has come since 1985 as Mario and his friends continue to shape new games and worlds. The new movie arrives in April 2026.

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