Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Start Time and Broadcast Details
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade traditionally begins at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thanksgiving Day in New York City, with NBC airing the broadcast live from 9:00 a.m. to noon ET. Viewers can watch the parade on NBC and Peacock, with live streaming available through the Peacock app and website, which is owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. For the most current schedule, including any changes to the start time or broadcast window, check the official NBC page for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade here.
The parade route runs along Central Park West and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, ending near Macy's flagship store at Herald Square. NBC typically provides pre-show coverage starting at 8:30 a.m. ET, with the main parade broadcast starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. ET. Local CBS affiliate WCBS-TV also airs the parade in the New York market, but the primary national broadcast remains on NBC.
How to Watch Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Live
To watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live, tune in to NBC or stream it on Peacock starting at 9:00 a.m. ET. Peacock offers live streaming of NBC content, including the parade, with both free and premium subscription tiers available. The live broadcast includes performances, floats, balloons, and musical acts, with the broadcast typically concluding around noon ET.
For cord-cutters, Peacock is the primary streaming destination for the parade, accessible on mobile devices, smart TVs, and web browsers. NBC also provides live coverage on its website through TV Everywhere authentication for pay-TV subscribers. International viewers can check local NBC affiliates or streaming services that carry NBC content.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade History and Key Facts
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an annual tradition since 1924, making it one of the oldest and most-watched holiday events in the United States. The parade is produced by Macy's, Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol M, and is a major promotional event for the retailer. The parade features large character balloons, floats, performances, and concludes with Santa Claus, marking the unofficial start of the holiday season.
The parade draws millions of in-person spectators along the route and millions more television viewers nationwide. NBC has broadcast the parade since 1952, and the event remains a cornerstone of the network's Thanksgiving Day programming. The parade route and broadcast logistics are coordinated with the New York City Mayor's Office and local authorities to manage crowd control and public safety.