At the Destination D23 event at Walt Disney World, Disney revealed that Buzz Lightyear will once again soar high above New York City in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The beloved Toy Story character is set to return in balloon form, delighting fans of all ages during the annual holiday tradition.
The Buzz Lightyear balloon has appeared in the parade before, but 2025 will mark its comeback. Standing several stories tall, the larger-than-life space ranger will join a lineup of iconic balloons and floats that make the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade one of the most-watched holiday events of the year. Disney confirmed that the balloon will feature Buzz in his recognizable green and white space suit, striking a pose that captures his fearless personality.
This announcement adds to the excitement building around the 2025 parade. Each year, the event draws millions of viewers in person and on television, and the addition of Buzz ensures Toy Story will once again have a major spotlight. Fans at Destination D23 were shown the opening scene of Toy Story 5, celebrating the return of a character who has become a pop culture icon since the original Toy Story debuted in 1995.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is known for featuring Disney characters, with classic and modern favorites appearing through the decades. The return of Buzz Lightyear highlights Disney’s ongoing partnership with Macy’s and underscores the enduring popularity of the Toy Story franchise.
Audiences can look forward to seeing the Buzz Lightyear balloon take flight on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2025, as part of the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Whether watching along the parade route in New York or tuning in from home, fans will once again see the space ranger go “to infinity and beyond.”
