There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who get excited to watch football on Thanksgiving, and those who get excited about watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

I happen to fall into the latter category.

• Subscribe To FloMarching Today With An Annual Pass To Watch DCI And WGI Live
• DCI 2026 Audition Dates & Location
• SCORES | 2025 BOA Indianapolis Super Regional Finals Results

Ever since I was a young kid, I would wake up every Thanksgiving morning, run downstairs, and immediately turn on the Thanksgiving Day Parade if it wasn't already on. It's a tradition that I still stick to 20+ years later. 

Along with the spectacular floats, musical acts, and high-flying balloons, a staple of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the marching band performances. Programs from across the world travel to New York City for their chance to bask in the spotlight in front of a national audience.

Here's everything you need to know about all eleven marching band programs that are attending the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

Alcorn State University Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Marching Band

Heralded as the "Showband from Southland," the story of the Alcorn State University band program starts back in 1885 with a newly formed Brass Band, under the Direction of J.M. Hicks, a student who instructed in his studies by Prof. J. C. McAdams. In 1892, William Grant Still, Sr. became the student leader of this group, and would later earn the title of “Band Master” due to his skill in music field.

"With a proud legacy stretching back to 1885 as the “Showband from Southland,” Alcorn State University’s Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Marching Band is a dynamic force in collegiate music. The 200-member band is nationally recognized & celebrated for both musical excellence and electrifying showmanship. They’ve performed at iconic venues across the country like Miami’s Orange Bowl and the Los Angeles Coliseum. They made history in 1975 as the first college band to perform in the Superdome in New Orleans. The band continue to inspire, showcasing their talents at the prestigious Honda Battle of the Bands, the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and New Orleans Mardi Gras, blending a rich tradition with innovative entertainment."

La Banda de Música La Primavera

"La Banda de Música La Primavera is the flagship musical delegation of the Bilingual Educational Center of Santiago de Veraguas in Panama. Founded in 1992, it initially started with 40 musicians playing drums and glockenspiel. Over the years, the band evolved, and in 2012, it transformed into a marching band. Its members range in age from eight to seventeen years old. As cultural ambassadors of Panama, La Banda is renowned for its majestic performances both within the country and internationally. One of their most significant moments was performing in front of His Holiness Pope Francis during the 2019 World Youth Day. Their goal is to foster ethical and holistic development in their student members, using music as a powerful tool for education and personal growth."

Catawba Ridge High School Marching Band

"Catawba Ridge High School opened in the fall of 2019 and has since developed a nationally recognized band program. The Catawba Ridge High School Marching Band is a three-time South Carolina Marching Band State Champion and was named the 2022 Bands of America Carolina Regional Champion. In 2024, the ensemble earned the Class 2A Silver Medal at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. That same year, the Indoor Winds program was awarded the WGI Scholastic Open Class Gold Medal, while the Concert Percussion Ensemble received the WGI Scholastic Concert World Class Gold Medal. The marching band performed in the 2024 London New Year’s Day Parade and has been invited to perform in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade."

Damien High School Spartan Regiment

"Damien High School, an all-boys Catholic school in La Verne, California, has a proud tradition of shaping young men of service, scholarship, and faith. Its music program includes about 100 students across a variety of ensembles and courses. The Damien Spartan Regiment features performers from Damien High School, Pomona Catholic High School, St. Lucy’s Priory High School, and Our Lady of the Assumption School. This partnership highlights a shared commitment to music excellence, personal growth, and community. The Spartan Regiment has won three California State Band Division 2A titles, two Southern California Band and Orchestra Association Division 1A titles. The Damien Spartan Regiment is proud to continue this legacy on the national stage at the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade."

L.D. Bell High School Blue Raider Band

"The L.D. Bell Blue Raider Band is a 300-member ensemble made up of students in grades 10-12 from L.D. Bell High School in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. Established in 1956, the Blue Raider Band is grounded in the mission of facilitating achievement by helping students realize their full potential through participation in band. The L.D. Bell Band has advanced to the Texas UIL State Marching Contest ten times since 2000, winning state championships in 2000 and 2004. A regular presence on the national stage, the band has been a Bands of America Grand National Finalist eight times and earned the title of 2007 Bands of America Grand National Champion."

Northern Arizona University Lumberjack Marching Band

"With a history spanning over 90 years, the Lumberjack Marching Band serves as a musical ambassador for Northern Arizona University, representing the spirit and traditions of the university through dynamic performances at football games and other university and community events. The band, composed of diverse students from various academic backgrounds, fosters a supportive and inclusive environment, emphasizing community and musical excellence. The Lumberjack Marching Band has collaborated with organizations such as United Sound, whose mission is to provide musical performance experiences for students with special needs through peer mentorship, as well as the Arizona Cardinals, Bands of America, and the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association."

Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps

"The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps is a celebrated youth music and performing arts organization now in its 70th season. Since their founding in 1955, the Spartans have become a leading force in Drum Corps International’s Open Class, capturing eight World Championship titles. The group instills discipline, teamwork, and artistry in young performers through the marching arts. Proudly representing New England, their commitment to respect, responsibility, and commitment has shaped thousands of alumni into successful musicians, educators, and professionals. The corps remains a source of regional pride and is honored to bring its award-winning performance style to our Parade."

Temple University Diamond Marching Band

"The Temple University Diamond Band, “The Pride of the Cherry and White," is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Led by Dr. Matthew Brunner, the band honors a century of musical excellence and school pride with vibrant pregame, and halftime shows. Known for their electrifying covers of today’s top artists, the Diamond Band has a huge social media presence, going viral multiple times and earning features in USA Today, Rolling Stone, and Billboard Magazine. This 200-member ensemble is a diverse, tight-knit community, with most members being non-music majors. They’ve performed at major events like the Sugar Bowl and appeared in major films like The Wolf of Wall Street. This is their first-ever appearance in our Thanksgiving Day Parade."

University of North Alabama Marching Band

"The University of North Alabama Marching Pride has recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. Located in Florence, part of The Shoals region of northwest Alabama, where music is literally “in the water,” as in the Tennessee River—known locally as the Singing River. Florence is the birthplace of the “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy, as well as the Sam Phillips the founder of Sun Records who brought stars like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and others to national predominance. Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals Sound, and many other recording studios are still actively recording and publishing hit songs today. The University of North Alabama Marching Pride is a large part of the music scene in Florence, Alabama."

Macy's Great American Marching Band

"This band is celebrating its 19th year as it marches in the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® this November. The MGAMB has been featured in our Parade since 2006, except for one year when the band didn’t march due to Covid-19. It has become one of the top honor marching bands in the country. The MGAMB honors America’s finest high school musicians, color guard members & dancers, and consists of 225 students that have been selected by audition from high school band programs from across the United States."

New York City Police Department Marching Band

"The NYPD Marching Band, originally established in 1901 and reformed in 1991, is comprised of 70 active-duty police officers from precincts across New York City. The Band includes several ensembles—such as the Jazz Band and Steel Pan Band—that reflect the city’s cultural diversity through music.

They have performed at major events around the world, including the San Jose Jazz Festival, the World Police Band Concert Series, and the D-Day commemoration in Normandy, France. As musical ambassadors, the NYPD Band promotes unity, honors public service, and represents the enduring spirit of New York City."