U.S. Thanksgiving Day parade draws millions in New York

Participants attend the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

NEW YORK, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events.

Millions of spectators lined the 4-km route to take in the annual spectacle, which ran for more than three hours and featured large helium balloons, themed floats, marching bands and music performances.

Several new balloons and floats made their debut this year, including Pac-Man, Shrek's Onion Carriage, Buzz Lightyear and Mario. Each balloon stood roughly two to four stories tall. Among the biggest crowd-pleasers was a 16-foot-tall fuzzy Labubu by Pop Mart, accompanied by its pixie-like friends.

According to Macy's Inc., the parade included more than 5,000 volunteers, 34 giant balloons, 28 floats, 33 clown crews and 11 marching bands. Disney's Minnie Mouse, at 60 feet (about 18 meters) tall, was the tallest balloon in the lineup, while Marvel's Spider-Man, stretching 77.5 feet, was the longest.

First held in 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has become an icon of the U.S. holiday season. It has been staged every year regardless of weather, except for a three-year pause during World War II from 1942 to 1944.

A marching band performs during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

Performers interact with spectators during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

Performers interact with spectators during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

Participants attend the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

The balloon of Goku is seen during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

Performers interact with spectators during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

The balloon of Buzz Lightyear is seen during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

Participants attend the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

The balloon of Monkey D. Luffy is seen during the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 27, 2025. The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade brought holiday cheer to New York City on Thursday morning, as giant character balloons floated above Manhattan in one of the United States' most watched holiday events. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)