Millions Line Manhattan Streets for the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Felicia Guo

NEW YORK — Giant balloons floated above Manhattan, marching bands filled the streets with music and millions of spectators gathered behind police barricades Thursday as the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brought one of New York City’s most celebrated holiday traditions back to the streets.

The Nov. 27, 2025 parade began at 8:30 a.m. at West 77th Street and Central Park West before traveling south along Central Park West, turning onto Central Park South and continuing down Sixth Avenue toward its traditional finish outside Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street. City officials estimated that more than 3.5 million spectators would line the route.

The 2.5-mile procession featured thousands of participants, giant character balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, dancers, clowns and performers from across the country. Macy’s said the 99th edition included 34 balloons, 28 floats, more than 700 clowns, 11 marching bands and nine performance groups, supported by more than 5,000 volunteers.

Among the most recognizable sights above Manhattan were balloons depicting Pac-Man, Buzz Lightyear, Mario and other popular characters. New additions included characters connected to “Shrek” and Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” while floats featuring Labubu and Lego joined the procession.

The parade also featured performances by Cynthia Erivo, Conan Gray, Lainey Wilson, Lil Jon and other artists, along with the Radio City Rockettes and casts from Broadway productions including “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Just in Time” and “Ragtime.”

Despite chilly temperatures and strong winds, spectators began gathering along the route early in the morning. Temperatures remained in the 40s, while wind gusts reached approximately 25 to 30 mph. Officials closely monitored conditions because New York City rules restrict the flight of full-size parade balloons when winds exceed established safety limits. The balloons were ultimately allowed to fly.

Security was highly visible throughout Midtown and the Upper West Side. Thousands of NYPD officers were deployed along the parade route and surrounding streets, supported by Emergency Service Unit personnel, mounted officers, K-9 teams, the Bomb Squad, Harbor and Aviation units. Police helicopters and drones were also used as part of the security operation.

The NYPD positioned hundreds of police and sanitation blocker vehicles around the event and installed approximately 14,000 metal barricades to separate spectators from the parade route and protect viewing areas. A restricted zone extended along both sides of the route, while numerous streets across the Upper West Side and Midtown were closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Bags carried into viewing areas were also subject to inspection.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said before the parade that there were no known specific credible threats to the event, but described the security presence as extensive. The NYPD also maintained a joint operations center with city, state and federal partners monitoring the event.

The annual parade has been a New York holiday tradition since 1924 and has grown from a local celebration into an event watched around the world. The 2025 edition carried additional significance as the 99th parade, setting the stage for its 100th celebration in 2026.

As the final floats traveled through Midtown and Santa Claus arrived at Herald Square, the parade once again marked the unofficial beginning of New York City’s holiday season.

For spectators lining Central Park West and Sixth Avenue — many bundled against the cold behind rows of NYPD barricades — the morning offered a familiar New York scene: towering balloons moving between Manhattan skyscrapers, packed sidewalks and generations of families gathering for a tradition approaching its second century.