Overview
- The 99th edition stepped off at 8:30 a.m. along the 2.5-mile route from West 77th Street to Herald Square, airing live on NBC and Peacock with a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo.
- Forecasts called for brisk, cold conditions with gusts near 30 mph, and organizers operated under rules that ground balloons at sustained 23 mph or 34 mph gusts.
- New giant characters included Buzz Lightyear, Pac‑Man, Mario and Shrek’s Onion Carriage, joined by midsize additions such as Derpy Tiger and new balloonicles.
- The NYPD deployed heightened security with cameras, drones, blocker vehicles and extensive barricades, and outlets reported arrests of some protesters during the event.
- The lineup featured 34 balloons, 28 floats, 11 marching bands and a broad slate of performers led by Cynthia Erivo and Lainey Wilson, with Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker hosting.