New Faces Floating High: 2025 Macy's Parade Balloons

The 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to dazzle with five new giant balloons, each representing beloved characters from movies, games, and TV shows. This year's parade will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with performances from a mix of country, pop, and Broadway stars, including Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson, and HUNTR/X from the hit Netflix musical "KPop Demon Hunters."

New Balloon Debuts

Buzz Lightyear

• Returning after a 12-year break
• Brand-new balloon design
• Known for his role in the "Toy Story" movies (streaming on Disney+)
• Spin-off projects: "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" and the 2022 film "Lightyear"

Derpy Tiger and Sussie

• Characters from "KPop Demon Hunters"
• Derpy Tiger: A blue tiger
• Sussie: A magpie
• Pets of Ahn Hyo-seop, leader of the Saja Boys
• Live performances from HUNTR/X

Mario

• First-ever appearance in the parade
• Celebrates the 40th anniversary of "Super Mario Bros."
• TV shows: "The Super Mario Brothers Super Show" (streaming on Prime Video)

Pac-Man

• Back after a 45-year hiatus
• Known for his arcade game
• Cartoon series and CGI show: "Pac-World"
• Celebrates the 45th anniversary of the game

Shrek and Friends

• First time the whole crew is featured
• Includes Shrek, Fiona, their three kids, and Donkey
• Usually, only Shrek flies solo
• "Shrek" movies and specials streaming on Peacock
• New movie coming out in 2027
• Holiday special "Shrek the Halls" airing on NBC in December