Macy's 99th Thanksgiving Parade Unveils Stranger Things, Mario, and PAC-MAN Debut

The Macy's Incorporated is set to turn Manhattan into a living holiday storybook on November 27, 2025, as the 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls down its iconic 2.5-mile route from the American Museum of Natural History to Macy's Herald Square. At 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, the sky will fill with balloons, the streets with music, and the hearts of millions with nostalgia — this isn’t just another parade. It’s the last grand pre-centennial spectacle before the 100th anniversary in 2026, and this year’s lineup is packed with surprises that blur the line between childhood dreams and pop culture reality.

What’s New in 2025? Pop Culture Takes Over the Streets

This year, the parade doesn’t just celebrate tradition — it rewires it. The most talked-about addition? An 8-foot-tall Demogorgon puppet from Netflix’s Stranger Things, lumbering down Broadway in a surreal, neon-lit float that’s already trending on TikTok. It’s the first time the horror-fantasy series has made its way into the parade’s hallowed lineup, and it’s not alone. PAC-MAN, the arcade legend turning 45, is finally getting his due with a glittering, maze-shaped float that will roll past children who’ve never played an arcade cabinet — but know his face from memes and merch.

Then there’s Mario. Yes, Mario — Nintendo’s mustachioed icon — is making his parade debut, perched atop a float from Serta Simmons Bedding LLC, waving from a floating Super Mushroom. It’s a quiet revolution: video game characters now share equal billing with classic cartoon icons like Snoopy and the Pillsbury Doughboy. And don’t miss the LEGO® float, where penguins play hockey and Yetis fish through ice, or the Master Chocolatier Ballroom from Lindt Chocolate USA Inc., a shimmering, candy-scented wonder that looks like a chocolate fountain came to life.

And then there’s the tiny one: The Littlest Float by Goldfish®. At just 18 inches tall, it’s the smallest float in parade history — a whimsical, cracker-shaped marvel that’s already drawing crowds just to snap a photo. "It’s not about size," said a parade producer off-record. "It’s about surprise. And this year, we’re serving it by the bucketful."

The Balloons, the Bands, and the Backstory

The sky will be crowded with 16 giant balloons — from the evergreen Snoopy and Spider-Man to the newly minted Frost Pips, baby Scout Elves that look like they stepped out of a Nordic fairy tale. The Shrek’s Onion Carriage returns, now with Donkey and Fiona waving from a float that smells faintly of onion and nostalgia. And yes, Bluey is back — because if there’s one thing that unites parents and toddlers, it’s a blue heeler with boundless energy.

On the ground, 11 marching bands will shake the pavement. The Alcorn State University 'Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite' Marching Band will bring Southern soul to Central Park West. The New York City Police Department Marching Band — a fixture since 1924 — will honor fallen officers with a solemn, trumpet-led rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." And the Northern Arizona University Lumberjack Marching Band? They’ll be the ones with the ax-wielding drum majors. Yes, really.

And the performers? Russell Dickerson will belt out country holiday hits. Shaggy — yes, the reggae legend — will drop a surprise remix of "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Tiler Peck, the New York City Ballet principal, will dance atop a floating ice rink, and Taylor Momsen and Teyana Taylor will bring pop and R&B energy to the 34th Street stage. The music isn’t just background noise — it’s the heartbeat of the parade.

Why This Matters: A Tradition That Outlived Wars and Pandemics

Let’s not forget: this parade survived three years of wartime silence during World War II, when helium and rubber were rationed. It survived the 2020 cancellation due to the pandemic — and came back harder in 2021, with fewer crowds but more heart. Today, it draws an estimated 3.5 million spectators lining the streets and another 50 million watching from home. That’s not just entertainment. That’s cultural glue.

"It’s the one day every year when New York stops being a city of rush hour and becomes a stage for wonder," said longtime parade watcher Evelyn Ruiz, 72, who’s attended every parade since 1965. "Even when the weather’s awful, even when you’re freezing — you’re still there. Because you remember your kid’s face the first time they saw Snoopy fly."

What’s Next: The Centennial Countdown Begins

With 2026 looming — the 100th anniversary — the pressure is on. Expect fireworks, a celebrity-studded finale, and possibly a balloon shaped like a giant clock counting down to 2026. But for now, the focus is on 2025: the last parade before the milestone, the one where Mario dances beside the Doughboy, where a Demogorgon casts a shadow over the Empire State Building, and where a 18-inch Goldfish float reminds us that magic doesn’t need to be big to be unforgettable.

The route? 2.5 miles. The time? 8:30 a.m. to noon. The broadcast? Live on NBC and Peacock. The message? Come as you are. Bring your kids. Bring your grandparents. Bring your skepticism. And just watch.

Behind the Scenes: The Mechanics of Magic

Each balloon requires 150 handlers and 200 pounds of helium. The Demogorgon puppet alone needed 14 months of design, testing, and safety reviews. The floats? Each weighs between 8 and 12 tons. And the clowns? 1,200 of them — yes, 1,200 — are trained to interact with children, hand out candy, and keep the energy up even when the wind howls. "It’s not just a parade," said veteran handler Marcus Delgado. "It’s a three-day operation that starts before dawn and ends when the last balloon is deflated. We’re not just moving fabric and air. We’re moving memories."