Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off the 2025 holiday season in New York City, as the iconic balloons, floats and performers marched through Manhattan.

New characters from KPop Demon Hunters and LABUBU joined this year's lineup, along with star-studded performances from "Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo, Busta Rhymes, Lainey Wilson, Conan Gray and Taylor Momsen, among others. 

This was the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a holiday tradition dating back to 1924.

"It's magical, it's one of the best days in the city," said New York City resident Kairisti Schaut. 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 draws visitors from around the world

The parade started at 8:30 a.m. and lasted about 3.5 hours, wrapping up around noon. 

Millions of people lined up along the route -- some for the first time, and others carrying on a family tradition. 

"I love the parade, it's been a big deal my entire life," Brittany Bailey, of North Carolina, said. "It's a holiday full of happiness -- family, happiness, thankfulness -- and I think it's the best holiday." 

"This is our first year and just unlocking some core memories here," said Lane Green, of Texas. "I get a little emotional thinking about it, actually. Growing up, watching this parade and oh my goodness, this is real life  

Steady rain fell over last year's parade, which was briefly disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators for a second year in a row. This year's forecast was dry, but cold and windy.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared her gratitude for the NYPD officers keeping the parade safe.

"Spending their days away from their family, so that everyone else can be with their family, enjoying a happy parade today," she said. 

Nothing beats watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC

For many families across the country, Thanksgiving begins with turning on the parade. While many watch from the comfort of their homes, others flock to Manhattan to see all the action in person.

"I think it's cool to be part of something that all over the country people are tuning into," said New York City resident Annie Davis.

"It feels amazing, there's no other place you want to be but here today," Arizona resident Kersten Kremer said. 

Spectators could start lining up as early as 6 a.m. between West 75th and 63rd streets along Central Park West. Once the parade headed south onto Sixth Avenue, the best viewing spots were from West 59th to 38th streets.

The giant balloon characters started coming to life during Wednesday night's inflation celebration outside the American Museum of Natural History, which was also open to spectators. 

Balloons in the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

This year's lineup featured 34 balloons, including a new KPop Demon Hunters character and 28 floats, including the first ever appearance from LABUBU. 

They joined 33 clown crews, 28 performers, 11 marching bands, nine performance groups, four "balloonicles" and 14 other specialty units. 

This year's list of celebrity performers included: Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Christopher Jackson, Ciara, Colbie Caillat, Conan Gray, Cynthia Erivo, Darlene Love, Debbie Gibson, Drew Baldridge, EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami (the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPOP DEMON HUNTERS), Foreigner, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Kool & the Gang, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Spencer Smith, Lil Jon, Luísa Sonza, Matteo Bocelli, Meg Donnelly, Mickey Guyton, Mr. Fantasy, Roman Mejia, Russell Dickerson, Shaggy, Taylor Momsen, Teyana Taylor and Tiler Peck.

Then, of course, the parade wrapped up with a visit from a certain Mr. Claus.

Map shows the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route

The parade kicked off at West 77th Street and Central Park West on the Upper West Side. It turned onto 59th Street at the bottom of the park, and then over to Sixth Avenue. 

The route stretched about 2.5 miles south to reach Macy's flagship store at Herald Square on West 34th Street. 

Along the way, the parade marched by Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center, then by the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. 

Taking mass transit to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The MTA encouraged spectators to ride the subway, using the 1/2/3 station at 72nd Street, the 1 station at 79th Street or the A/B/C/D station at Columbus Circle. The agency said the 1 train and 42nd Street shuttle would be running additional service, while A/C/D trains were bypassing the 81st Street-Museum of Natural History station. 

Citywide, all subways and buses are operating on a Sunday schedule for the holiday. 

Meanwhile, the Long Island Rail Road is running on a weekday schedule, with extra trains on the Babylon, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma branches. Metro-North Railroad is on a special schedule with extra trains on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines, while the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines are on a weekend schedule.

The MTA said other service changes would also be in effect for Black Friday and the holiday weekend. 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade road closures

Whether you're traveling to the parade or just getting around Manhattan, drivers should be prepared for extensive road closures.

The NYPD said the following streets would be closed Thursday:

Formation:

• Columbus Avenue between 72nd Street and 86th Street
• Central Park West between 81st Street and 86th Street
• 86th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 85th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 84th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 83rd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 82nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 76th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 75th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 74th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 71st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 68th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 62nd Street between Central Park West and Broadway
• 61st Street between Central Park West and Broadway
• 59th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue

Route:

• Central Park West between 81st Street and East Side of Columbus Circle/59th Street
• Columbus Circle (Entire Circle)
• 59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue
• 6th Avenue between 59th Street and 34th Street
• 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue

Dispersal:

• 33rd Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
• 34th Street between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue
• 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 35th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue
• 36th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
• 37th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
• 38th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
• 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
• 40th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
• 41st Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
• 7th Avenue between 31st Street and 41st Street
• Broadway between 45th Street and 34th Street
  

Miscellaneous (Formation and Dispersal):

• 58th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue
• 40th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
• 39th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
• 38th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
• 37th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
• 36th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
• 32nd Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue
• 6th Avenue between 32nd Street and 34th Street
• 8th Avenue between 41st Street and 33rd Street
• Broadway between 33rd Street and 34th Street
• Broadway between Columbus Circle and 58th Street
• Grand Army Plaza between 59th Street and 5th Avenue