The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade got people talking thanks to some of its delightfully random — and admittedly bizarre — moments.
The 99th annual parade, hosted by Al Roker, Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, kicked off on Thursday, November 27, with its usual series of super-sized floats and star-studded performances. While some appearances from singers like Lainey Wilson, Ciara, Colbie Caillat and Gavin Degraw were infused with typical holiday cheer, other aspects of the event took viewers by surprise.
The introduction of the first-ever Labubu float, a series of late ‘90s and early 2000s hit medleys and a rave-themed Toys “R” Us float were just a few of the parade additions that sent social media ablaze.
“Among the many things I love about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is what an insanely commercial pop culture mashup it is,” one person wrote via X on Thursday. “Truly everything everywhere all at once.”
When it comes to deciding who will appear at the parade, director of creative production at Macy’s Studios Brendan Kennedy recently opened up about how he and his team make decisions and take chances, noting that he ensures whoever participates has no reservations of getting a little kooky.
“We have conversations with anybody who wants to be part of the parade, to ask questions like, ‘Is this the right moment in time to do this? Are we compatible?’” he told the New York Times earlier this month. “I’m always asking the question, ‘Are they down to be creative? Are they down to clown?’ Because we only have a few moments to tell a really good story coming down the street.”
Keep scrolling for the most bizarre moments from the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
Labubu Float
Some viewers were surprised to see that the new popular toy Labubu garnered a float all its own for the parade. The float’s title and theme was “Friendsgiving in Pop City,” which featured Labubu and her other Pop Mart friends celebrating the holiday together with a performance by the virtual K-pop girl group HUNTR/X.
“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade announcer saying ‘the debut of Labubu is up next’ sent a chill up my spine!” one person quipped via X, while another added, “Ain’t no way they had a Labubu float at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade playing PinkPanthress lmao.”
A third wrote, “I am the first in my bloodline to witness a Labubu float at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
Shaggy Sings a Medley of Hits With Questionable Lyrics for Kids
Shaggy performed a medley of his biggest hits from the early 2000s while on the Jennie-O Big Turkey Spectacular float, including “Mr. Bombastic,” “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel.” But while some millennials were thrilled about the throwback moment, some questioned the choice to perform songs with lyrics like “Honey came in and she caught me red-handed / Creeping with the girl next door / Picture this, we were both butt-naked / Banging on the bathroom floor,” with children cheering on in the background.
“Having Shaggy sing ‘It Wasn’t Me’ in between children’s floats at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” one person tweeted alongside a GIF of Jonah Hill signaling to cut the music. Another viewer confessed, “Last place I expected to hear Shaggy sing “it wasn’t me” was the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
“Having Shaggy perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is certainly a CHOICE,” a third added.
Lil Jon Dances With a Giraffe to ‘Turn Down for What’
Eyebrows raised when Lil Jon hopped on the Toys “R” Us float to perform a high-energy rendition of his 2014 hit “Turn Down for What.” Elsewhere on the float were a series of animals, one of which was the Toys “R” Us giraffe, decked out in a fur-lined jacket and red sunglasses, dancing their hearts out. Just typical 9 a.m. things.
Busta Rhymes Raps With the Ninja Turtles
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a Busta Rhymes and Ninja Turtles team up! The rapper joined the World of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles float to deliver a medley of hits as all four turtles — Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo and Leonardo — performed choreographed dance numbers behind him.
“Where were you when the Busta Rhymes and the Ninja Turtles collab dropped on the macys Thanksgiving day parade?” one person wondered via X.
A second added, “Busta rhymes singing break ya neck on the teenage mutant ninja turtle float…lil jon signing turn down for what on the toys r us float…idk wtf is going on….give whoever is in charge of this parade a raise!”
Girl With Golden Ticket Already Saw the Rockettes Yesterday
NBC hyped up Al Roker gifting a young girl with a “golden ticket” to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall this holiday season. But when he revealed the surprise and asked if she was excited to see the famous group dance, the girl unexpectedly confessed, “I did that yesterday,” leaving Roker and the Rockettes — who were present for the awkward exchange — not sure how to respond. Oops!
Mr. Fantasy Performs As a Pirate
Mr. Fantasy, which many believe is actor KJ Apa’s alter ego, jumped on the Jolly Polly Pirate Ship float to perform a new song. Rocking plaid pants, green sunglasses and his signature black bob, Mr. Fantasy gyrated and climbed the ship as the kids on the float cheered.
“WHY THEY GOT MR FANTASY PERFORMING AT THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE,” one person asked, while another theorized that the persona was made up just for the event. “My conspiracy theory is that Macy’s occasionally just invents characters for the Thanksgiving Day Parade and pretends they’re actual celebrities or musicians. Mr. Fantasy ???,” the wrote via X.
Conan Gray Sings a Good — But Very Depressing — Song
No one would argue that Gray’s “Vodka and Cranberry” is a banger, and the singer sounded and looked incredible when performing the single midway through the parade. The tone of the track, however — which includes lyrics like “Speak up, I know you hate me / Looked at your picture and cried like a baby / Got way too drunk off a vodka cranberry” — felt like a downer to some in contrast to the rest of the high-energy performances.
The moment makes this list, however, because of what happened next. The broadcast cut from Gray to a close up of Queen Latifah — who was not involved in the performance at all — seemingly shedding tears after the song was finished. “Why’d they show queen latifah after conan gray’s macy’s thanksgiving parade performance like she was his mom,” one person wrote via X.
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