The Ultimate 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade TV Guide: Time, Channel, And MUST-SEE New Balloons

Get ready to set your alarms! The 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled to air on Thursday, November 27, 2025, bringing its legendary spectacle of giant balloons, elaborate floats, and star-studded performances to millions of homes across America. This year’s broadcast promises to be a spectacular three-and-a-half-hour celebration, ensuring your holiday morning is filled with festive cheer and family-friendly entertainment.

For those planning their Thanksgiving feast and morning schedule, the most crucial detail is the start time: the official live telecast begins at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) and runs until 12:00 p.m. ET. The best part? The show airs at the same local time in all time zones, meaning West Coast viewers can tune in at 8:30 a.m. PT to catch the action live from New York City.

Official 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Broadcast Details

Knowing the exact time and channel is essential to catch the most iconic moments, from the opening musical number to the grand finale arrival of Santa Claus. Here is the complete breakdown of how to watch the 2025 parade.

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The Essential Viewing Schedule and Channels

• Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
• Live Start Time: 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)
• Live End Time: 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
• Broadcast Channel: NBC
• Live Streaming: Peacock
• Encore Presentation: An afternoon replay will air on NBC starting at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT for those who missed the live show or want to watch it again while they cook.

The broadcast is a true marathon of entertainment, spanning 3.5 hours of live coverage. The show is known for its seamless production, featuring a mix of musical acts, Broadway performances, and, of course, the parade's main event: the colossal character balloons and floats.

Your Hosts: The Familiar Faces of NBC’s Today Show

Returning to guide viewers through the spectacle are the beloved hosts from the Today show. For the 99th annual event, the broadcast will be hosted by the dynamic trio: Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker. Their chemistry and on-the-spot interviews with celebrities and performers are a hallmark of the official NBC telecast.

Streaming Options: How to Watch Without Cable

In the modern age of cord-cutting, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is easier than ever, thanks to NBC’s dedicated streaming platform, Peacock.

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The Peacock live stream begins concurrently with the NBC broadcast at 8:30 a.m. ET. This year, Peacock is offering a special feature: a multiview stream. This innovative option allows viewers to watch the parade from multiple camera angles simultaneously, giving a unique perspective on the event that traditional cable viewers won't get.

Additionally, you can stream the parade live through other TV streaming services that carry NBC, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV. For those with a cable subscription, the NBC website and the NBC app will also provide a live stream of the event.

The 2025 Lineup: New Balloons, Floats, and Star Performers

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a massive undertaking, featuring a total of 34 giant character balloons, 27 floats, 33 clown groups, and numerous marching bands.

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The Must-See New Giant Balloons

The most anticipated element of the parade for many viewers is the introduction of brand-new giant character balloons. For 2025, several exciting new additions will make their debut, adding fresh characters to the iconic lineup:

• Buzz Lightyear from the *Toy Story* franchise
• Derpy Tiger from the popular animated series *KPop Demon Hunters*
• Mario from Nintendo’s video game universe
• PAC-MAN, the classic arcade character
• Shrek's Onion Carriage, a whimsical new specialty unit

These new balloons will join returning classics like Beagle Scout Snoopy, Bluey, Acorn, and the Blue & White Macy's Stars, ensuring a blend of nostalgia and contemporary pop culture.

Star-Studded Musical Performances and Entities

The floats serve as stages for some of the biggest names in music. The 2025 performer lineup is stacked with talent, covering country, pop, rock, and Broadway, guaranteeing a performance for every viewer. Key performers confirmed for the 99th Annual Parade include:

• Cynthia Erivo (star of *Wicked: For Good*)
• Lainey Wilson (Country music star)
• Ciara (Pop/R&B powerhouse)
• Gavin DeGraw (Singer-songwriter)
• Kool & the Gang (Legendary R&B/Funk band)
• Jewel (Folk/Pop icon)
• Debbie Gibson (Pop singer)
• Shaggy (Reggae/Dancehall artist)
• Foreigner (Classic Rock band)
• Matteo Bocelli (Italian singer)
• Mickey Guyton (Country singer)
• Colbie Caillat (Pop singer)
• Drew Baldridge (Country artist)
• Meg Donnelly (Actress/Singer)

These performances, coupled with the appearances of college and high school marching bands, add a vibrant musical layer to the entire procession.

The Parade Route: Where the Magic Happens

While most viewers will be watching from the comfort of their homes, understanding the route gives a better sense of the spectacle's scale. The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route remains the same as recent years, traversing the heart of Manhattan.

The parade officially steps off at 8:30 a.m. ET from West 77th Street and Central Park West. It then proceeds south along Central Park West to Columbus Circle, where it turns onto Central Park South (59th Street). The procession then travels down 6th Avenue to 34th Street, where it makes its final turn and concludes at the iconic Macy's Herald Square.

The televised coverage focuses heavily on the performances and balloon handling in the final stretch, particularly around the Herald Square area, which is where the main broadcast stage is located.

Final Tips for Your 2025 Thanksgiving Viewing

To ensure a perfect viewing experience of the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, remember these key takeaways:

1. Tune in Early: The live broadcast starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. ET. Don't wait until 9:00 a.m. or you'll miss the first half-hour of floats and performances.
2. Check Your Streaming: If you're using Peacock, confirm your subscription is active and familiarize yourself with the new multiview feature for a truly immersive experience.
3. West Coast Advantage: Remember that the parade airs live at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, allowing West Coast viewers to catch the entire event without waiting for a tape delay.

Whether you are watching for the dazzling new balloons like Buzz Lightyear and Mario, the high-energy performances from the celebrity lineup, or the traditional arrival of Santa Claus, the 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to be the perfect start to your holiday.