Each Thanksgiving, thousands gather on the streets of New York (and millions tune in on TV) to celebrate the joy, color, and creativity of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 2025 edition brough both nostalgia and surprise in a blend of floats, balloons, and entertainment.
This year, they introduced many new floats designed to surprise longtime fans and appeal to younger generations:
Friends‑giving in POPCITY by Pop Mart: This marks the first appearance of the popular toy-brand characters from Pop Mart. On the float, you’ll spot characters like Labubu (the centerpiece), along with Skullpanda, Peach, and more all perched on a cityscape.
Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Netflix: A float inspired by Stranger Things, featuring a life-size puppet of the monstrous Demogorgon, representing the show’s eerie vibe. Organizers promise “a feast for the eyes,” with the Demogorgon coming to life as the float moves down the parade route.
The other new floats this year include festive additions from LEGO, Lindt chocolates, Serta, and Holland America Line (“Land of Ice & Wonder”). There’s also a tiny float by Goldfish, which is the smallest float in parade history.
Alongside the new floats, people watching the parade will also get to enjoy several returning favorites. Among these:
Tom turkey: the iconic Thanksgiving turkey float
Santa’s Sleigh: the grand sleigh marking the start of Christmas celebrations
Returning floats help generations come together to enjoy memories of past parades while also enjoying the fresh new additions of the 2025 parade. Whether you love the familiarity of Tom Turkey and Santa, or you’re excited for a giant Demogorgon, 2025’s Macy’s Parade promises something for everyone.
