Macy’s Thanksgiving parade: Country icon Lainey Wilson performs fan favorite before Santa closes celebrations
The parade featured dozens of performers, including Jonathan Groff, Conan Gray and Cynthia Erivo
The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has come to a close.
The 99th annual parade featured dozens of iconic floats and balloons — including Beagle Scout Snoopy, Super Mario and Spider-Man — along a 2.5-mile route stretching from the Upper West Side to Midtown. Country music star Lainey Wilson helped close out the show with a stunning performance of her hit song “Somewhere Over Laredo.” Minutes later, Santa Claus made his grand entrance, marking the end of the annual celebration.
Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo opened the parade with a rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.”
Halfway through the event, rapper Busta Rhymes amped up the crowd with performances of his hit songs, including “Break Ya Neck.” Minutes later, the crowd was cheering for Lil Jon as he performed “Turn Down for What” on the Toys “R” Us float.
“Gossip Girl” actress Taylor Momsen, who starred as Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, also stunned the internet when she performed “Where Are You Christmas?” to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary.
Earlier, Broadway star Jonathan Groff — joined by Bowen Yang for a brief dance — performed songs from the new musical, “Just in Time.” Pop icon Conan Gray also wowed the audience with a performance of his new song, “Vodka Cranberry.”
Live coverage begins
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Follow along for live updates on the parade, which is set to feature dozens of iconic floats, balloons and big-name performers.
Wintry weather and cold conditions expected throughout the festive parade
Weather watchers have warned that the spat of warm weather which has swept across the East Coast will have cleared by the time that the parade kicks off.
According to the National Weather Service, a strong cold front from Canada will bring an “abrupt change” which will send temperatures plunging below seasonal averages.
East Coasters can expect daily highs of between 5 and 15 degrees in most areas, with heavy snow expected across the Great Lakes.
The NYPD has ramped up security ahead of the parade amid 'increasing polarization' about Israel-Hamas war
The NYPD has ramped up security at the Macy’s Parade according to a bulletin obtained by ABC News.
The police department has identified the event as being “a potentially attractive opportunity for acts of obstruction, destruction and violence," but has not named any specific threats.
However, the NYPD did point to increasing polarization about the Israel-Hamas war being a potential security concern,
In both 2023 and 2024, pro-Palestine protestors were arrested at the Macy’s parade.
"The intense polarization of significant international developments including the Israel-Hamas war-even amid a tenuous ceasefire-political flashpoints such as recent nationwide immigration enforcement efforts, and the harboring of other individualized grievances, raises the potential for some demonstrators to clash with law enforcement officers assigned to protective details at major events, which could prove disruptive and pose public safety risks, including-but not limited to-route obstruction and property damage," the bulletin read.
There will be fixed cameras and aerial drones monitoring the parade this year, alongside hundreds of blocker vehicles and 1,400 metal barricades to secure the perimeter of the parade route.
What time does the Macy's parade kick off and where is it?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will kick off at 8.30 am ET and will run until 12pm.
The entire event will be broadcast live, as the incredible floats drift down West 77th Street and Central Park West in New York City.
From there, the balloons will go around Columbus Circle and head east on Central Park South.
After turning down 6th Avenue, the parade will finish at Macy’s Herald Square on West 34th Street.
There will be 28 floats, 11 marching bands, clown groups and musical performances in the parade.
Breaking down the parade: The iconic Macy's event in numbers
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to be one of the biggest yet.
According to Today, there will be an estimated 3 million spectators in attendance at the parade with an additional 8,000 people taking part in the event.
There will be 34 giant balloons, 28 floats, 11 marching bands and 33 clown crews.
To make the parade as beautiful as possible, 2,000 gallons of paint, 300 pounds of glitter and 200 pounds of confetti will be used in the Macy’s event.
Singers including British songstress Cynthia Erivo, rapper Busta Rhymes, 80s band Foreigner and Kool & the Gang are also set to perform during the parade.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seen serving Thanksgiving meals to the homeless in LA yesterday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as their two children, were seen serving Thanksgiving dinners to homeless people in Los Angeles yesterday.
"As we head into the holiday season, we celebrate those working every day to ensure that no one is left behind and where the needs of our neighbors are met,” a statement on Archewell’s website read.
Holly Patrick has the full story...
Archie and Lilibet make rare public appearance in sweet Thanksgiving gesture
See it: Performers rehearse for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Performers gathered in New York City on Tuesday night to rehearse for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is set to begin later this morning.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: How can I watch?
The 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.
Viewers can watch the parade on NBC, stream it live on Peacock, or catch a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo, with an encore telecast at 2 p.m. EST/PST. You can also follow along here for live updates from The Independent.
Last year's parade attracted over 31 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, marking its largest audience ever.
Flashback: The M&M disaster of 2005
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is on its 99th iteration, is famously watched by millions of Americans each year.
While there have been many successful processions, the iconic parade has also seen its fair share of mishaps.
One famous incident includes the M&M disaster of 2005.
Witnesses reported that the parade’s M&M balloon was punctured when it hit a light pole near 43rd Street, according to The New York Times. The balloon then collapsed as a crowd looked on.
Two sisters, 26 and 11, were injured. They were both taken to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for cuts and bruises and released hours later, the Times reported.
Flashback: The Barney incident of 1997
One infamous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade mishap includes an incident from 1997 involving Barney the Dinosaur.
The Barney balloon “suffered extensive damage” amid high winds during the 1997 parade, according to The New York Times.
At one point, the balloon was punctured and crashed onto its handlers.
''Barney attacked us,'' Isabella Fasciano told the Times.
Video of the unforgettable mishap often goes viral on social media around Thanksgiving. The incident has also sparked colorful headlines, including Esquire’s “Barney Died a Violent Death at the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
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