Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Lineup Gives Nod to Millennial Nostalgia, Internet Culture

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.

Below, The Hollywood Reporter takes a look at the 2025 lineup.

Performers

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.

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.

Characters

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.

Internet Culture

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.

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.