The Ultimate Guide To Watching The 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Channels, Streaming, And Start Time Revealed
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the quintessential start to the holiday season, a beloved American tradition that has captivated millions since 1924. This year, on Thursday, November 27, 2025, the 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will once again take to the streets of New York City, and securing your viewing plan is essential before the Thanksgiving feast begins.
For 2025, the official and exclusive home for the live television broadcast remains the same, ensuring a familiar and high-quality viewing experience for families across the country. Whether you rely on traditional cable, a digital antenna, or a modern streaming service, we have the definitive guide to guarantee you catch every giant balloon, celebrity performance, and show-stopping float.
The Official Channel and Start Time for the 2025 Parade
The question "what channel is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on?" has a straightforward answer that has held true for decades, but the details about the exact time and new streaming options are crucial for 2025.
The 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast live and exclusively on NBC.
The live coverage of the parade begins at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) and runs until 12:00 p.m. ET.
Crucially, the broadcast is synchronized to air in all time zones simultaneously, meaning viewers in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones will also start watching at 8:30 a.m. local time.
Broadcast Details at a Glance (November 27, 2025)
- Official Broadcast Channel: NBC
- Live Start Time (All Zones): 8:30 a.m. Local Time
- End Time (ET): 12:00 p.m. ET
- Spanish-Language Broadcast: Telemundo (Simulcast)
- Replay/Encore: An afternoon replay is typically shown on NBC, starting around 2:00 p.m. ET.
How to Stream the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Live in 2025
For those who have cut the cord and rely solely on digital platforms, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is easily accessible through NBC's official streaming partner, offering a seamless way to watch the spectacle on your smart TV, tablet, or phone.
Peacock: The Exclusive Streaming Home
The only official, dedicated streaming platform for the live 2025 parade is Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.
A Peacock subscription is required to stream the parade live. The coverage on Peacock mirrors the live NBC broadcast, starting at 8:30 a.m. ET.
In a fresh development for 2025, Peacock viewers may be able to enjoy the parade in a special multiview mode, offering different camera angles or perspectives of the floats and performances—a first for the annual event.
Alternative Streaming Methods (Cable Replacements)
If you subscribe to a live TV streaming service that carries the local NBC affiliate, you can also watch the parade through that platform. These services act as cable replacements and typically include NBC in their channel lineups:
- FuboTV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Sling TV (in select markets)
- YouTube TV
Checking your local market's channel availability on these services is recommended to ensure the NBC feed is included before Thanksgiving Day. This is a great option for viewers seeking a complete cable experience without the traditional subscription.
Meet the Hosts and Star-Studded Lineup of the 99th Annual Parade
A significant part of the parade's appeal is the star power, from the on-air hosts to the celebrity musical acts. The 2025 broadcast will feature familiar faces providing commentary and guiding viewers through the three-hour event.
The Official NBC Broadcast Hosts
The hosting duties for the parade are traditionally handled by the dynamic and beloved team from NBC's *Today* show.
The confirmed hosts for the 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are:
- Savannah Guthrie
- Hoda Kotb
- Al Roker
This trio provides the perfect blend of enthusiasm, on-the-ground reporting, and festive cheer that viewers have come to expect as the parade travels its famous route through Manhattan.
Anticipated Performers and Parade Entities
The parade is a massive undertaking, featuring a spectacular array of entertainment that ensures there is something for everyone. The 2025 lineup is set to be one of the biggest yet, incorporating musical theatre, pop stars, and massive inflatable characters.
Musical and Celebrity Performers (Entities):
While the full lineup is always finalized close to the date, the initial announcements for the 2025 parade included a diverse group of artists set to perform on the various floats:
- Drew Baldridge (Country Music)
- Matteo Bocelli (Italian Tenor)
- Colbie Caillat (Pop/Folk Singer)
- Ciara (R&B/Pop Star)
- Gavin DeGraw (Singer-Songwriter)
- Meg Donnelly (Actress and Singer)
- Cynthia Erivo (Star of *Wicked: For Good*)
Parade Elements and Spectacle (Entities):
The real stars of the show are the massive, iconic balloons and the elaborate floats. The 99th Annual Parade will feature a staggering collection of elements, all of which contribute to the parade's topical authority and visual impact:
- Giant Helium Balloons: Approximately 18 iconic giant helium balloons, including returning favorites and new character debuts.
- Floats: A total of 27 uniquely designed floats, often sponsored by major brands and featuring the musical performers.
- Balloons/Novelty: About 33 mid-sized or novelty balloons and balloonicles.
- Clown Corps: Over 33 separate clown groups, providing comedic relief along the parade route.
- Marching Bands: Numerous high school and college marching bands from across the nation.
- Santa Claus: The traditional arrival of Santa Claus, marking the official start of the Christmas season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watching the Parade
Can I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade without cable TV?
Yes. The most direct way to watch the parade without a traditional cable subscription is by using the Peacock streaming service. Alternatively, you can use a digital antenna to pick up your local NBC affiliate's broadcast for free, or subscribe to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV that includes NBC.
Is there a Spanish-language broadcast of the parade?
Yes. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is simulcast in Spanish on Telemundo, providing coverage for Spanish-speaking audiences.
What time does the parade end?
The live NBC broadcast concludes at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Since the broadcast starts at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, the parade will typically finish at 12:00 p.m. local time everywhere.
Where does the parade take place?
The parade takes place in New York City, starting near Central Park West and proceeding down to Macy's Herald Square flagship store. The route is approximately 2.5 miles long.
Detail Author:
- Name : Tyshawn Block III
- Username : wcrona
- Email : alycia77@hickle.com
- Birthdate : 1978-08-03
- Address : 6572 Reilly Knoll Schusterberg, IN 95667-3357
- Phone : +1 (574) 478-2331
- Company : West, McGlynn and Buckridge
- Job : Health Services Manager
- Bio : Est laudantium voluptatem culpa dolores distinctio. Dolores similique non sed qui aut a voluptate. Et rerum eum incidunt est occaecati dolorem. Eos ab rerum et explicabo provident sapiente aut.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/gunner.mayert
- username : gunner.mayert
- bio : Assumenda non deleniti et. Unde sed et consectetur suscipit odio aut voluptatem eos.
- followers : 1291
- following : 255
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/gunnermayert
- username : gunnermayert
- bio : Beatae aut molestias eos impedit. Aut ullam repudiandae numquam nihil.
- followers : 3871
- following : 353
