The 2025 holiday season is underway as the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took over New York City on Thursday (November 27), with an estimated 3.5 million spectators watching the spellbinding procession of balloons, floats, marching bands, and musical performances.
As per tradition, Today‘s Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, and a returning Hoda Kotb hosted the NBC coverage of the parade. This marked a reunion for the Today hosts, following Kotb’s exit from the long-running daytime program in January 2025 after a 26-year career at NBC News.
“It’s so good to have you back where you belong,” Guthrie told Kotb as the pair shared a hug at the start of the event.
Before the parade got underway, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay surprised Guthrie and Kotb. The Emmy-winning actress snuck up on the duo and asked to take a selfie with them.
The parade took its usual route, beginning at West 77th Street and Central Park West, passing through Columbus Circle before crossing Central Park South to Sixth Avenue. As always, the festivities end at Herald Square, home of Macy’s flagship store.
This year’s parade featured 8 giant helium balloons, 33 mid-sized balloons, 29 floats, 33 clown crew, 11 marching bands, nine performance groups, and, of course, an appearance from Santa Claus. This year’s new new floats include Labubu, Buzz Lightyear, and Super Mario.
The parade also included a host of guest performances, including from Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who kicked the event off alongside the Rockettes with a stunning rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.” Following her performance, Erivo spoke with Guthrie and Kotb about the release of Wicked: For Good and her new memoir, Simply More.
“It’s the most wonderful experience, the most wonderful feeling,” the Oscar-nominated actress said.
Other performers on hand included Lainey Wilson, Ciara, Callum Scott, Colbie Caillat, Russell Dickerson, Darlene Love, Busta Rhymes, Lauren Spencer Smith and “Hamilton” star Christopher Jackson.
There were also performances from EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, the singing voices behind the Netflix smash hit KPop Demon Hunters.
Debbie Gibson wowed fans with one of her classic hits.
The stars of Broadway also took to the stage, including the cast of the musical Buena Vista Social Club, the revival of Ragtime, and Just In Time, featuring a captivating performance from Jonathan Groff.
Of course, the floats and giant character balloons were what people came to see, which this year included six new floats: Brick-tastic Winter Mountain, Friends-giving in POPCITY, Master Chocolatier Ballroom, The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator, The Land of Ice & Wonder, and Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things.
Former favorites also made their return, including 1-2-3 Sesame Street, Big Turkey Spectacular, Camp Snoopy, Candy Cosmos, arvest in the Valley, Heartwarming Holiday Countdown, Jolly Polly Pirate Ship,Magic Meets the Seas, Palace of Sweets, Pasta Knight, PINelope, Santa’s Sleigh, World of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more.
Hoda also gave a shoutout to a a dear friend from the Today show….
A memorable parade ended with the traditional arrival of Santa Claus.
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