'KPop Demon Hunters' and 'labubus' to join Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27. Here's how to watch it live

The upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City this year will feature prominently two major cultural phenomena of 2025 — the character line-up Labubu and the hit film/music franchise KPop Demon Hunters. Fans of the Netflix film "KPop Demon Hunters" will be able to see two of its characters take flight during this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 27. A preview video released by Macy's shows characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie being tested ahead of the 99th edition of the parade.

The animated film about a pop girl group that protects South Korea from demons, which garnered over 325 million views globally in 91 days, is the most popular film of all time on Netflix, according to the streaming giant. The parade will set off at 8:30 a.m. ET, beginning on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and ending at the flagship store of Macy’s at Herald Square on 34th Street.

ALSO READ: Cloudflare outage: Company issues latest 'fix' update after X, ChatGPT, Canva suffer massive disruption. Check details

Labubu and 'KPop Demon Hunters' for Thanksgiving parade

This year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade lineup will feature 32 balloons, three balloonicles, 27 floats, four specialty units, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, performance groups and musical stars, “all welcoming Santa Claus and the holiday season,” according to Macy's. Among the highlights, Labubu and other characters from Pop Mart make their first appearance in a dedicated float, and characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie from “KPop Demon Hunters” will be among the balloons.


The pop-culture crossover is significant and organisers say Labubu and “KPop Demon Hunters” have both made “massive cultural splashes” this year. Performers will include Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami of the fictional girl group HUNTR/X from “KPop Demon Hunters”, alongside established names such as Ciara, Busta Rhymes, Kool & the Gang, Lil Jon and Mickey Guyton. Broadway casts from shows such as A Chorus Line and other performance groups including the legendary Radio City Rockettes will also join the procession.

ALSO READ: Clay Higgins' controversial post calling Haitian migrants 'thugs, slapstick gangsters' in spotlight after he opposes Epstein files' release

When is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade begins at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 27. The event will be telecast on NBC starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. It will also stream on Peacock, and Fubo subscribers will also be able to watch. An encore on NBC will follow at 2 p.m. ET/PT. For audiences in India and abroad, the broadcast will be accessible live via NBC and streaming service Peacock, with a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo.

Weather could be a factor in balloon operations. Forecasts suggest a high around 52 °F (about 11 °C), partly cloudy with winds of 6-10 mph. Under New York City regulations, full-size balloons cannot fly if sustained winds exceed about 23 mph or gusts over 35 mph.

There will be four new featured balloons this year:

Buzz Lightyear by Pixar Animation Studios

PAC-MAN by Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Inc.

Shrek’s Onion Carriage from Universal Pictures’ DreamWorks Animation

Mario by Nintendo

As well as six new floats:

The Land of Glaciers, Wildlife & Wonder by Holland America Line

Brick-tastic Winter Mountain by The LEGO Group

Master Chocolatier Ballroom by Lindt

Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Netflix

Friends-giving in POPCITY by Pop Mart, the makers of Labubu

The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator by Serta