2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment 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 Riverdale actor KJ Apa's TikTok alter ego, even made an appearance. Related Stories TV 'Stranger Things' Creators Break Down the Final Season's Biggest Twists So Far TV Netflix Crashes as 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Premieres 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 Rhymes hit the stage on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chocolate Factory float wearing an all-white quilted puffer jacket amid the cold weather. Ciara rode the Colossal Wave of Wonder float by Kalahari Resorts & Conventions for her performance. All's Fair star Teyana Taylor rode through the parade on the Peacock float. Other performers included Jewel, Conan Gray, Lainey Wilson, 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. KPop Demon Hunters characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie were also featured. The new Stranger Things float made its debut just hours after the first four episodes of 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 Riverdale actor KJ 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 Mokoko marked the first furry inflatables in the parade's history per Today. Labubu and Mokoko Michael Loccisano/Getty Images The Smallest Float in Parade History Cracker maker Goldfish created the tiniest float in the history of the parade. The debut float measured at less than eight inches tall and the length of 14 Goldfish crackers. The Littlest Float by Goldfish at the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy's THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Live Feed 'Stranger Things' Stars Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp Reveal How That Wild Twist Sets Up Volume 2 PAW Patrol 'A Paw Patrol Christmas': When and Where to Stream the Animated Holiday Special Live Feed 'Stranger Things' Creators Break Down the Final Season's Biggest Twists So Far Sesame Street Danny Seagren, 'Electric Company' Star and the First Live-Action Spider-Man, Dies at 81 Live Feed Why President Trump Will Never Attack 'South Park' Live Feed 'South Park' Thanksgiving Episod