How to Bet on Thanksgiving Day Parades: Float Order, Star Appearances & Morning Ratings

As the aroma of roasting turkey begins to fill kitchens across the country, another cherished American tradition is gearing up for its annual spectacle: the Thanksgiving Day Parade. For millions, the morning is dedicated to watching the magnificent procession of giant balloons, elaborate floats, and star-studded performances. This year, as the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade prepares to march through Manhattan, a new layer of excitement is available for those who enjoy a friendly wager. The world of parade betting is here, offering a unique way to engage with the holiday kickoff. From predicting which new balloon will get the most screen time to wagering on the broadcast’s final viewership numbers, here’s how you can get in on the action for the 2025 event.

Getting to Know the Parade Lineup

Before placing any bets, it’s essential to survey the field. The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a massive undertaking, requiring over 5,000 volunteers to bring its magic to life. This year’s event is set to be one of the most content-rich in recent memory. The lineup features a staggering 34 balloons, 29 floats, and 26 musical performers. Add to that special performances from three Broadway shows, the world-famous Radio City Rockettes celebrating their 100th anniversary, and 11 marching bands, and you have a wealth of betting opportunities. The key is to break down the parade into its core components and analyze where the most interesting action might lie.

Betting on the Balloons: Newcomers vs. Classics

The giant character balloons are often the most iconic part of the parade. This year’s lineup of 34 high-flying characters includes five brand-new additions, creating a classic betting market of newcomers versus established favorites. The new balloons for 2025 are Shrek’s Onion Carriage, Derpy Tiger (from K-Pop Demon Hunters) Buzz Lightyear, Mario, and Pac-Man.

This lineup creates several compelling betting scenarios. A popular prop bet will likely be “Which new balloon will get the most cumulative screen time?” Video game icons Mario and Pac-Man have immense multi-generational appeal, making them strong contenders. However, Buzz Lightyear is a beloved Pixar character with a long history. Another interesting wager could be on head-to-head matchups. For example, you could bet on whether the classic Beagle Scout Snoopy will get more announcer mentions than the new Mario balloon. Keep an eye on pop culture trends leading up to the parade to inform your choices.

Float Order Speculation

While the parade has a general structure, the exact order of the 29 floats is a closely guarded secret until showtime. This ambiguity creates a fantastic opportunity for speculative betting. The market for “First float to appear after the opening number” is always a hot one. This year, a strong candidate for an early appearance is the new “Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things” float. Placing a culturally relevant and visually dynamic float near the beginning is a smart move to capture and hold the audience’s attention.

Conversely, everyone knows that Santa’s Sleigh is the grand finale. This creates another betting market: “Which float will appear directly before Santa’s Sleigh?” Often, this is a float with a classic winter or holiday theme, like Macy’s “Winter Wonderland Central Park” or the new “The Land of Ice and Wonder.” Analyzing the themes of the floats can give you an edge in this particular market.

Wagering on Performer Appearances

With 26 performers scheduled to appear, the opportunities for prop bets are nearly endless. The 2025 roster is a vibrant mix of genres and generations, featuring artists like Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Foreigner, Jewel, Kool & The Gang, and Shaggy.

Simple bets could include “First performer to be shown on screen” or “Will Foreigner perform ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’?” More complex wagers might involve over/under bets on the number of holiday-themed songs performed versus original hits. Another popular bet revolves around the hosts. A fun wager could be, “Which of the main performers will Al Roker interview first?” History shows that performers on more accessible floats often get the first sideline chat.

The “K-Pop Demon Hunters” Phenomenon

Special attention should be paid to the debut of K-Pop Demon Hunters. This intellectual property is making a multi-pronged debut at the parade, which is a rare and notable event. It includes a new giant balloon, Derpy Tiger, and a performance by the singing voices of the group HUNTR/X, featuring Audrey Nuna, EJAE, and Rei Ami.

This concentrated push makes K-Pop Demon Hunters a unique betting subject. You could place a wager on whether the performance will be one of the top three most-discussed moments on social media during the parade. Another potential bet is an over/under on the duration of their musical number. Given the investment in both a balloon and a performance, it’s likely to receive a prime spot and significant airtime, making it a focal point for viewers and bettors alike.

Which Performance Will Steal the Show?

The parade always serves as a major promotional platform for Broadway. This year, audiences will see numbers from “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Just in Time,” and the classic revival “Ragtime.” This sets up a direct competition for the most memorable theatrical performance. Betting on this category requires a bit of research. “Buena Vista Social Club” will likely feature a vibrant, high-energy dance number. “Ragtime” offers powerful vocals and dramatic staging. “Just in Time” is the wild card as a newer production. A good bet would be on which show receives the most enthusiastic on-air praise from the hosts immediately following its performance.

Predicting Viewer Numbers

For those who prefer to bet on the bigger picture, the television ratings offer a compelling market. The official broadcast on NBC and Peacock, hosted by the familiar trio of Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, is the main event. Betting sites will offer an over/under on the total number of viewers, typically based on Nielsen data from previous years.

To make an informed bet, consider the strength of the 2025 lineup. The inclusion of universally recognized characters like Mario and Pac-Man, combined with a diverse and popular slate of musical artists, could drive viewership up. You might also find smaller markets, such as the viewership for the Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo, which offers its own set of variables.

A New Way to Watch

Placing a few friendly wagers can add a fresh and exciting dimension to the annual tradition of watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade. It transforms passive viewing into an active, engaging experience where every float and performance carries a little extra weight. As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving morning, you’ll have more than just the turkey to get excited about. Good luck, and enjoy the show.