The Ultimate 5-Step Guide To Stream The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Live (No Cable Required!)

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the annual, colossal kickoff to the holiday season, and for millions, watching the giant balloons and dazzling floats is a non-negotiable family tradition. Thanks to modern streaming technology, you no longer need a bulky cable subscription to catch every moment of the 99th Annual Parade on Thursday, November 27, 2025. This guide breaks down the absolute best, most current, and most reliable methods to stream the entire event, whether you’re at home or traveling.

The 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will air live from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET in all time zones. The official broadcast home is NBC, which means your streaming options are centered around the NBC ecosystem—primarily its dedicated streaming service, Peacock, and various live TV streaming platforms that carry the network. Here is your definitive guide to streaming the spectacle.

Your Essential 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Streaming Checklist

Before you commit to a service, here are the key details you need to know about the 2025 event.

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• Event Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
• Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET (The broadcast is generally tape-delayed for West Coast viewers to start at 9:00 a.m. local time, but Peacock offers a live stream in all time zones).
• Official Broadcast: NBC
• Official Streaming Home: Peacock
• Hosts: The beloved trio of Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will return to host the broadcast.
• Route: The parade follows its traditional 2.5-mile route, starting near the American Museum of Natural History and concluding at Macy's Herald Square.

Step 1: The Official, Easiest Streaming Option (Peacock)

The simplest and most direct way to stream the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is through NBC’s own subscription streaming service, Peacock.

Peacock has been the exclusive streaming partner for the parade, offering a high-definition, commercial-free (for premium subscribers), and reliable live feed. This is the recommended option for viewers who want a seamless experience.

How to Watch on Peacock:

• Subscription Required: You will need a paid Peacock subscription (Peacock Premium or Premium Plus).
• Device Compatibility: Peacock is available on virtually all major streaming devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, smart TVs, gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), and mobile devices.
• Time Zone Advantage: Unlike the NBC television broadcast, which is often tape-delayed on the West Coast, Peacock typically streams the event live across all time zones, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Step 2: Leveraging Your Live TV Streaming Service (The Cable-Free Alternatives)

If you already subscribe to a live TV streaming bundle to replace cable, and that service carries your local NBC affiliate, you are all set. These services are excellent alternatives to Peacock, especially if you want to watch other live Thanksgiving programming.

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The best live TV streaming services that carry NBC are:

• YouTube TV: A popular choice with a wide range of channels, including NBC.
• Hulu + Live TV: Offers NBC alongside its massive library of on-demand content.
• Fubo: Often focused on sports, Fubo also includes NBC in most markets.
• DIRECTV Stream: A premium option that carries NBC.
• Sling TV (Blue Package): The Blue package includes NBC in select markets, making it one of the most cost-effective options.

Pro Tip: Many of these services offer a free trial period. If you are a first-time subscriber, you may be able to sign up for a 7-day free trial just before Thanksgiving and cancel after the parade, allowing you to stream it for free.

Step 3: The Free, Traditional Method (Digital Antenna)

If you prefer a completely free, one-time purchase solution, a digital over-the-air (OTA) antenna is a great investment. Since the parade is broadcast on NBC, an antenna can pick up the local NBC affiliate signal in high definition, provided you live within range of the broadcast tower.

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• No Subscription: This method requires no monthly fees.
• Crystal Clear Quality: The signal quality is often superior to cable, offering true HD.
• One-Time Cost: Antennas are an upfront purchase, but they pay for themselves after just a month or two compared to a streaming subscription.

Step 4: Watching Internationally (Using a VPN)

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a distinctly American event, and the official streams on Peacock and NBC are geo-restricted to the U.S. If you are traveling abroad on November 27, you will need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access the U.S. stream.

How to Stream with a VPN:

1. Choose a Reliable VPN: Select a service known for fast speeds and working with streaming platforms (e.g., ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark).
2. Connect to a U.S. Server: Open the VPN app and select a server location within the United States.
3. Access Peacock: Once connected, open your Peacock app (or other streaming service) as usual. The service will now recognize your location as being in the U.S., granting you access to the live parade stream.

Step 5: Catching the Star-Studded Lineup and New Attractions

To deepen your viewing experience, know what to look for! The 2025 parade is set to be one of the biggest yet, with an incredible lineup of entertainment and new floats.

New Balloons and Floats for 2025:

Keep an eye out for the new additions joining the massive cast of 34 balloons and 28 floats.

• Buzz Lightyear: A giant character balloon from Pixar's Toy Story.
• Mario: The iconic Nintendo character makes his return in a new form.
• Derpy Tiger: A highly anticipated new character balloon from the popular film KPop Demon Hunters.
• PAC-MAN: The classic arcade hero will be floating down the route.
• New Floats: Look for dazzling new float designs like the "Birds of a Feather Stream Together" and the "Brick-tastic Winter" float.

Confirmed 2025 Performers:

The parade’s entertainment is always a highlight, featuring Broadway casts and major musical acts. The 2025 lineup includes:

• Cynthia Erivo (star of Wicked)
• Lainey Wilson (Country music star)
• Ciara
• Gavin DeGraw
• Colbie Caillat
• Matteo Bocelli
• Drew Baldridge
• Debbie Gibson
• Foreigner
• Meg Donnelly
• Mr. Fantasy

With so many ways to stream, from the official Peacock app to a variety of live TV services, you have no excuse to miss the spectacular 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Choose your preferred method, set your alarm for 8:30 a.m. ET on November 27, 2025, and get ready for the biggest show on the streets of New York City.