The 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Your Complete Guide To Watching Live On TV And Streaming

The 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to bring spectacular floats, colossal balloons, and world-class performances to the streets of New York City, and you can watch every moment from the comfort of your home. As of today, December 13, 2025, the official broadcast and streaming details for the 2025 parade are confirmed, ensuring you know exactly where to tune in for this beloved holiday tradition. The massive 2.5-mile procession will feature new character balloons, dazzling celebrity appearances, and the thrilling arrival of Santa Claus to kick off the holiday season.

The highly anticipated event will take place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, Thanksgiving morning, and the official three-hour broadcast will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET in all time zones. The only official way to watch the parade live on television is through the long-time broadcasting partner, NBC, with the exclusive live stream available on the Peacock streaming service.

The Ultimate Guide to Watching the 2025 Macy's Parade Live

For millions of Americans, the parade is the official start of the Thanksgiving holiday, and getting the broadcast details right is crucial. The telecast is known for its exclusive coverage, close-up shots of the performers, and expert commentary from the hosts. The 2025 event promises to be one of the biggest yet, celebrating nearly a century of tradition.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

TV Broadcast Details: NBC's Exclusive Coverage

The 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will air exclusively on NBC. If you have a traditional cable or satellite subscription that includes NBC, you will be able to watch the entire parade live. The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. ET and conclude at noon.

The three-hour event is typically hosted by the familiar faces of TODAY show anchors, including Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and veteran weatherman Al Roker, who provide commentary, interviews, and historical context throughout the morning.

Streaming Options: How to Watch Without Cable

For cord-cutters and those who prefer to stream, the 2025 parade will be available to watch live on Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming platform. This is the exclusive streaming home for the event and requires a paid subscription.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Other live TV streaming services that carry the NBC channel will also be an option for viewing, including:

• FuboTV
• Hulu + Live TV
• Sling TV (in select markets with local NBC)
• YouTube TV

Check your local listings to ensure your package includes the live NBC feed for your time zone. The broadcast will air from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in all time zones, with an encore airing often scheduled later in the day.

The 99th Annual Lineup: Balloons, Floats, and Star-Studded Performers

The Macy's Parade is defined by its spectacular lineup of giant character balloons, imaginative floats, and A-list musical talent. The 2025 parade is set to feature a massive collection of 34 Balloons, 28 Floats, 29 Performers, 11 Marching Bands, and 33 Clown Crews, ensuring a non-stop spectacle for viewers.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

Must-See New Floats and Colossal Balloons

Each year, Macy's introduces new entries to its iconic fleet. The 99th parade will feature several exciting debuts, adding to the anticipation for both in-person and at-home viewers.

• New Giant Balloons: Look out for the massive Buzz Lightyear balloon and the debut of the Derpy Tiger from the *K-Pop Demon Hunters* series, which promises to be a fan favorite.
• New Novelty Balloons/Balloonicles: Keep an eye out for the new novelty balloon Bob the Minion from Illumination Animation and the new Aflac Duck balloonicle.
• New Floats: The procession will feature several new floats, including the highly-anticipated Thousand Sunny float from the popular anime *One Piece/Toei*, the Mario float, and Pac-Man.
• Returning Favorites: Long-time favorites like Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants, and the iconic Santa's Sleigh float will also be making their return.

Celebrity Performances and Musical Guests

The 2025 lineup is packed with musical talent performing live from the floats in Herald Square. The star-studded roster includes a diverse mix of genres and generations, adding immense entertainment value to the telecast.

Confirmed and rumored performers for the 99th Annual Parade include:

• Cynthia Erivo (star of *Wicked: For Good*)
• Kool & the Gang
• Jewel
• Foreigner
• Debbie Gibson
• Mickey Guyton
• Ciara
• Shaggy
• Gavin DeGraw
• Conan Gray

Experiencing the Parade In-Person: Route and Best Viewing Spots

While millions will watch on NBC and Peacock, experiencing the parade live in New York City is an unforgettable experience. The parade route is a 2.5-mile journey through Manhattan, drawing massive crowds that require early arrival.

The Official 2025 Parade Route

The parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET and follows a consistent route that maximizes public viewing access:

1. Start: West 77th Street and Central Park West (Upper West Side).
2. Travels: South along Central Park West.
3. Turns: East at Columbus Circle onto Central Park South.
4. Proceeds: South down 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas).
5. Ends: At Macy's Herald Square (West 34th Street).

Best Public Viewing Areas

If you plan to attend in person, finding a spot requires dedication, often involving arriving before 6:00 a.m. Public viewing is generally prohibited in the area immediately surrounding Macy's Herald Square, as these spots are reserved for the official telecast, employees, and VIP guests.

• Central Park West: The stretch from West 77th Street down to Columbus Circle offers excellent views, especially the west side of the street. This area is often less crowded than midtown.
• 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas): The best public viewing section is along 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 38th Street. This is where the parade spends the most time in midtown.

Bonus Event: The Annual Balloon Inflation

For a unique, behind-the-scenes look, consider attending the annual Balloon Inflation event the night before Thanksgiving, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. This event takes place around the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side, with public access typically running from 77th Street and Columbus Avenue. This is a fascinating opportunity to see the giant balloons come to life as they are slowly inflated by the Macy's team.

Whether you choose to brave the cold in New York City or enjoy the warmth of your home, the 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, 2025, is a can't-miss event. Tune into NBC or stream live on Peacock starting at 8:30 a.m. ET to catch all the festive action.