The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade may have featured classics and old favorites in its lineups like Snoopy and Spider-Man but this year featured a variety of floats and performers that gave a sense of nostalgia for the audience.
This year’s lineup was seemingly shaped by pop and internet culture with the addition of new floats that highlighted nostalgic franchises, global icons and mainstream obsessions. New additions included Labubu, Mario, Pac-Man and even Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters and Stranger Things.
Among the performers were Busta Rhymes, Lil Jon, Ciara, Jewel, Conan Gray, Cynthia Erivo and Teyana Taylor. Mr. Fantasy, who is heavily speculated to be RiverdaleactorKJ Apa‘s TikTok alter ego, even made an appearance.
Below, The Hollywood Reporter takes a look at the 2025 lineup.
Performers
Busta Rhyme at 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Cynthia Erivo opened the show for the 2025 parade with a performance of Nina Simone’s, “Feeling Good.”
Lil Jon brought energy to the Toys“R”Us float with a performance of “Turn Down for What.”
Busta Rhymeshit the stage on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chocolate Factory float wearing anall-white quilted puffer jacket amid the cold weather.
Ciara rode the Colossal Wave of Wonder float by Kalahari Resorts & Conventionsfor her performance.
All’s Fair star Teyana Taylor rode through the parade on thePeacockfloat.
Other performers included Jewel, Conan Gray and Foreigner.
Ciara at 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.
TV Favorites
Netflix’s Stranger Things and Kpop Demon Hunters made an appearance in the parade.
EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI from KPop group HUNTR/X of KPop Demon Hunters performed for the first time at the parade. The new Stranger Things float made its debut just hours after thefirst four episodesof the final season were released on Netflix. Foreigner performed on the float.
Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Netflix (performance by Foreigner) participates in the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.
Characters
The Shrek’s Onion Carriage balloon floats the route during 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Notable characters featured in various floats include a new Shrek and Mario float, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Buzz Lightyear, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and parade staples SpongeBob SquarePants and Snoopy. Dora the Explorer, Spider-Man and Stuart the Minion also made appearances.
The new Mario float debuted amid Nintendo celebrating 40 years since the first Super Mario Bros. game was released. Pac-Man also made a debut at this year’s parade.
The Buzz Lightyear balloon floats the route.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
‘The Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ float
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Gabby’s Dollhouse
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The Super Mario balloon
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Pac-Man float during the 2025 Thanksgiving Parade.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.
Internet Culture
Mr. Fantasy
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.
TikTok sensation Mr. Fantasy, who is heavily speculated to be RiverdaleactorKJ Apa‘s TikTok alter ego, performed aboard a pirate-themed float.
POP MART’S viral creature Labubu made its debut during the parade with a float that included Labubu, Mokoko, Skullpanda, Dimoo, Molly, Duckoo and Peach Riot. Labubu and Mokokomarked the first furry inflatables in the parade’s history per Today.
