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Kevin Mazur / Getty Images (Big Image) | Cynthia Erivo at Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade. Credit : NBC(Small image)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: Erivo's Epic Opener, Huntrxho Magic
& KJ Apa Surprise
Dive into the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade highlights from November 27, 2025, in NYC. Cynthia Erivo's powerhouse "Feeling Good" kicked things off despite vocal challenges, Huntrxho (HTR/X) brought K-pop fire on a Demon Hunters float, and KJ Apa delivered "Mr. Fantasy" vibes. With 34 balloons, 28 floats like new Labubu debut, and stars like Shaggy, Ciara, this parade blended holiday cheer with pop culture magic.
Key Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 Highlights
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Cynthia Erivo opens with Nina Simone's "Feeling Good," chatting Wicked: For Good post performance
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HTR/X (EJ, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI) energizes KPop Demon Hunters float debut
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KJ Apa rocks "Mr. Fantasy" on Jolly Polly Ship amid diverse lineup
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Route from Central Park West to Herald Square, 3.5 hours live on NBC/Peacock
Why This Parade Felt Fresh and Unmissable
Imagine this: Thanksgiving morning, the streets of New York City were bustling under clear sky; there was no rain this year, only wind and awe. Pop stars with enormous balloons and floats floated through the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025. What lifted these moments above the typical turkey trots, from K-pop trio HTR/X energising the crowd to Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo overcoming voice loss to belt a spectacular opener?
Star Performers Who Owned Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025
Just days after missing interviews, Cynthia Erivo, fresh off the commercial for Wicked: For Good, began the 99th parade with Nina Simone's "Feeling Good," coughing through recent vocal pain. Her parade spot was highlighted by Rolling Stone, and Parade.com verified that she was the top Tony/Grammy winner. The new KPop Demon Hunters float, a pop culture homage that links anime vibes to Christmas anticipation, included HTR/X EJ, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI killing it, according to Billboard.
According to information from the Hollywood Reporter, Riverdale star KJ Apa surprised with "Mr. Fantasy" on the Jolly Polly Ship float. In contrast, sources agreed on diversity but prioritised new stars like Apa over veteran actors, as evidenced by confirmations of Foreigner on Stranger Things balloon and Lainey Wilson doing country riffs. 33 performers, including Shaggy, Ciara, Lil Jon, and others, maintained a high level of excitement.
From Herald Square, hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker laughed around; Kotb's comeback brought warmth to the Today show. Updates have been hinted at on Macy's roster page, but USA Today's live recaps caught the magic of the 2.5-mile journey via Radio City.
Fan Frenzy Lights Up Social Media
"Cynthia Erivo slayed despite everything!" became viral on X, and videos of her scatting received millions of views. Over HTR/X, Reddit's r/popculture erupted: "K-pop at Macy's? The chef kissed the Demon Hunters float. Fan forums on Riverdale were triggered by KJ Apa's "Mr. Fantasy": "From Archie to parade king who saw that coming?" Shares were driven by viral energy that combined new faces with memories.
Bigger Picture: Parade's Pop Culture Evolution
Amid wider developments, the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade mirrored Hollywood's leak-proof show. No spoilers here, but Spongebob and Stranger Things were references to consuming empires. Newcomers like Labubu and seven enormous balloons marked Macy's entry into international fandoms, ranging from anime to K-pop. Dangers? The weather held, but balloon handlers were put to the test by windy circumstances that echoed previous rain disruptions without any mishaps.
Related to entertainment epidemics, the parade avoided the piracy issues that plague Marvel movies and other shows, instead creating excitement. See how it stacked up in our [2024 Parade Recap](link-to-past-post).
What Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 Means for Holiday Traditions
Did Erivo's roughness or HTR/X's fusion steal your heart? Could emerging stars like KJ Apa predict more actor-singers? This parade demonstrated how Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade changes without losing its appeal. Fallout? Expect 2026 to strengthen K-pop and Wicked tie-ins, boosting viewership as families desire that blend of inflated beats, and Santa. Hurt or hype? No, just fuel for the festive mood in the United States. Will your favourite float come back? Tradition has just been remixed, so stay tuned.
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