The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 5 Ways To Watch The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Live On TV And Streaming

The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of America's most cherished holiday traditions, and for the 99th Annual celebration on Thursday, November 27, 2025, you have more ways than ever to catch the iconic balloons, floats, and performances. Whether you prefer the traditional live television broadcast or the convenience of modern streaming, knowing the exact channel and platform is crucial to ensuring your holiday morning starts with a spectacular view of the festivities from New York City.

This year’s broadcast promises to be epic, featuring all-new floats, massive character balloons, and star-studded musical performances, all hosted by some of your favorite television personalities. Below is the definitive, up-to-date guide on every official channel and streaming service carrying the parade, ensuring you don't miss a moment of the action.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: Official Broadcast Details and Schedule

The 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The live broadcast begins early to ensure viewers across the country can tune in before their own Thanksgiving celebrations kick off. This schedule is essential for planning your viewing experience, whether you are on the East Coast or watching from the Pacific.

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• Parade Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
• Live Start Time: 8:30 a.m. in all time zones (Eastern Time, Central Time, Mountain Time, and Pacific Time)
• Official TV Channel: NBC
• Official Streaming Service: Peacock
• Duration: The parade typically runs until 12:00 p.m. EST.
• Replay/Encore: An encore presentation of the entire parade will be replayed on NBC at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT for those who missed the morning show.

Hosts and Special Features for the 99th Annual Parade

For decades, the parade has been synonymous with the anchors of the Today show, and 2025 is no different. The broadcast will be helmed by your favorite Today show stars, providing commentary, performer interviews, and a seamless viewing experience as the massive character balloons and elaborate floats make their way down the route to Herald Square. The NBC broadcast is known for its high-quality production, capturing the energy of the New York City streets and the excitement of the marching bands and performers.

A major highlight for this year is a new streaming feature. For the first time, the parade will be available to stream in a Multiview mode on Peacock, allowing viewers to customize their experience and watch multiple angles of the parade simultaneously. This innovative viewing option is a game-changer for dedicated parade fans.

5 Essential Ways to Tune In to the Macy's Day Parade 2025

With the rise of cord-cutting and streaming services, viewers have a variety of platforms to choose from. Here are the five primary, official methods to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live this year.

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1. The Traditional Broadcast: NBC Television Network

The most straightforward way to watch remains the official network home: NBC. If you have a traditional cable or satellite subscription, simply tune into your local NBC affiliate channel at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. This is the classic, high-definition viewing experience that over 50 million viewers at home rely on annually to kick off the holiday season. The NBC coverage will include exclusive interviews and in-depth looks at the new floats and giant balloons.

2. The Premium Streaming Experience: Peacock

Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, is the official digital home for the parade. A Peacock subscription (Premium or Premium Plus) is required to access the live stream. This is arguably the best option for cord-cutters and those who want the new Multiview streaming feature. You can watch the full, live parade broadcast on the Peacock app via your smart TV, phone, tablet, or web browser. This platform offers a reliable, high-quality stream, often with fewer commercial breaks than traditional TV during the performances.

3. Live TV Streaming Services (OTT Platforms)

If you have already cut the cord but subscribe to an Over-The-Top (OTT) live TV streaming service, you are in luck, as most carry NBC. These services are excellent alternatives to cable and include the official NBC channel in their packages. You can access the live parade telecast through any of the following:

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• FuboTV
• YouTube TV
• DirecTV Stream
• Hulu + Live TV

Check your local channel lineup on these services to ensure NBC is included in your subscription tier. Many of these services offer free trials, which could be a perfect way to watch the parade for free, provided you cancel before the trial period ends.

4. Digital Antenna (Free Over-the-Air)

For those who want to watch the parade for free without a subscription, a simple digital antenna (sometimes called an HD antenna) is a fantastic option. Since NBC is a major network, its signal is broadcast over the air in most metropolitan and suburban areas. By connecting an antenna to your TV, you can receive the live NBC broadcast in high definition at no cost. This is the most budget-friendly way to enjoy the America's favorite tradition.

5. The Official Replay: NBC Encore Presentation

If your Thanksgiving morning is packed with cooking, travel, or other family obligations, you can still catch the magic. NBC will air an encore presentation of the entire 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT. This is a perfect way to wind down after the main meal and enjoy the full spectacle of the balloons, celebrity performances, and new floats without the early morning rush. Set your DVR or streaming service to record the 2:00 p.m. slot if you can't watch live.

Topical Authority: Key Entities of the 2025 Parade Broadcast

To fully appreciate the scope of the event, it helps to understand the key players and components that make the broadcast a success year after year. The entire production is a massive undertaking involving numerous entities and historical traditions.

The Broadcast Entities

• NBCUniversal: The parent company that owns the exclusive broadcast rights for the parade.
• Peacock: The exclusive streaming partner, offering the live feed and the new Multiview option.
• The Today Show: The morning news program whose anchors traditionally host the event, providing continuity and familiar faces.
• Macy's: The department store that has sponsored and organized the parade since 1924, making this year the 99th anniversary celebration.

The Parade Components and Themes

The parade is a celebration of American culture and holiday spirit, featuring a consistent list of iconic elements:

• Character Balloons: The massive, signature helium balloons (e.g., Snoopy, SpongeBob, Grogu) that are the parade's most recognizable feature.
• Elaborate Floats: Artistically designed platforms carrying performers and often sponsored by major companies (e.g., Santa's Sleigh, Tom Turkey).
• Marching Bands: High school and college bands selected from across the nation to perform on the route.
• Broadway Performances: Live snippets from current Broadway musicals performed in front of the Macy's store at Herald Square.
• Celebrity Performers: A rotating lineup of musical artists and celebrities who perform on the floats.
• Santa Claus: The traditional finale of the parade, whose arrival officially marks the start of the Christmas shopping season.
• Balloon Inflation: The popular pre-parade event held the day before in the streets near the American Museum of Natural History.

By utilizing the NBC channel or the Peacock streaming platform, you are guaranteed a front-row seat to this spectacular holiday kickoff. Whether you are focused on the new balloons and floats or the star-studded performances, make sure your viewing method is set up well in advance of the 8:30 a.m. start time on November 27, 2025.