99th Macy's Parade Draws Crowds Amid High Winds

New York City's iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade returned for its 99th annual edition on Thursday, November 27, 2025, drawing millions of spectators along the streets of Manhattan's Upper West Side to Herald Square. The event, a staple holiday tradition since its inception in 1924, featured a procession of giant balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands and celebrity performers, all culminating in Santa Claus's arrival to signal the start of the festive season.

The parade began at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time and lasted three and a half hours, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock. A Spanish-language broadcast aired on Telemundo. Viewers on Peacock had access to multiview options, including a traditional broadcast, a float-specific camera from the Tom the Turkey float and a high-rise aerial perspective. Last year's telecast attracted over 31 million viewers, the largest audience in the parade's history, and organizers anticipated similar interest this year despite challenging weather conditions.

Heavy winds posed a potential threat to the parade's signature balloons, with forecasts from the National Weather Service predicting steady surface winds of 16 to 20 miles per hour...