On the eve of the centennial anniversary, the team—made up of painters, carpenters, animators, sculptures, welders, designers, engineers, and electricians—is honoring its roots, by reimagining elements from the parade’s earliest years, like the trouts and wigglefoot balloons and Happy Hippo Triple Stack balloonicles. Keen eyed viewers will also find that the new Buzz Lightyear balloon has “Andy” written on the bottom of the spaceman’s boot, an homage to the young boy in Toy Story on its 30th anniversary. “The team at Macy’s Studios works year-round to make this historic parade bigger and better for our audiences every year, finding new ways to surprise and delight audiences,” Coss says.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025.
How did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
When Macy’s first debuted its one-million-square foot New York City flagship store at 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenues in 1924, the retailer threw a Christmas parade on Thanksgiving morning to boost holiday sales—with a much longer route starting at 145 Street and Covent Avenue. Balloons joined the lineup in 1927, starting with Felix the Cat, and the festivities were first broadcast nationally in 1947.
What is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s route now?
These days, the festive parade follows a 2.5-mile path from the Upper East Side to Midtown Manhattan. Starting at the corner of 77th Street and Central Park West, the route heads south to Columbus Circle and then turns east, heading along 59th Street to Sixth Avenue. From there, it goes straight down Sixth Avenue to 34th Street, ending in front of Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square.
What’s the best way to see the parade in person?
Coss recommends arriving early to get a great view, with parade-goers starting to arrive as early as 6 a.m. along the beginning of the route on Central Park West (approach from the west!) from 61st to 75th Streets. Other prime spots include the south side of 59th Street between Columbus Circle and Sixth Avenue and the entire stretch of Sixth Avenue between 38th and 59th. Spectators should be aware there is no viewing on Central Park West between 59th and 60th Streets, or anywhere south of 38th Street.
Coss also reminds those bringing children to dress warmly for the chilly weather, and to be prepared to entertain the young ones for a few hours while waiting to make eye contact with the first float. He suggests avoiding strollers, large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas.
What’s on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 lineup?
TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will reunite to host the live broadcast of the 99th Macy’s Parade. Following tradition, the parade will kick off with the Tom Turkey float with members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. This year’s lineup will feature 34 balloons (including new Buzz Lightyear, Mario, Shrek, and Pac-Man characters), plus 28 floats (look for the debuts of POPCITY’s Labubu Friendsgiving and Goldfish crackers’ littlest float—less than 8 inches tall!), 33 clown crews, 11 marching bands, 9 performance groups, and 4 balloonicles (that’s a balloon-vehicle hybrid).
