The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 5 Ways You Can Watch The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Live (Even For Free)
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is America's most cherished holiday tradition, and for the 99th Annual event on Thursday, November 27, 2025, watching the spectacle is easier than ever, whether you are at home or planning to brave the New York City crowds. This comprehensive guide, updated for the current season as of December 13, 2025, breaks down every single official viewing option—from the traditional broadcast to multiple digital live streams and even the best spots to watch in person.
The key to catching every giant balloon, dazzling float, and star performance is knowing exactly when and where to tune in. The parade officially runs from 8:30 a.m. ET to 12:00 p.m. ET, and while NBC remains the official network, the rise of streaming services like Peacock has opened up new possibilities for viewers across all time zones. Get ready to plan your perfect Thanksgiving morning around this iconic New York event.
2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Essential Viewing and Event Details
To ensure you don't miss the 99th annual celebration, here is the complete, up-to-date breakdown of the event's key details and official viewing options for the 2025 parade. This list serves as your definitive guide to the official broadcast, start times, and featured attractions.
- Event: The 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
- Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET (Broadcast is in all time zones)
- Official Broadcast Channel: NBC
- Official Streaming Platform: Peacock (NBCUniversal's streaming service)
- Total Balloons: 34 featured balloons
- Total Floats: 28 unique floats
- Total Performers: 28 musical and dance groups
- Featured Balloons (New and Returning): Mario, Buzz Lightyear, PAC-MAN, Shrek's Onion Carriage, and Derpy Tiger From K-Pop Demon Hunters
- Featured Performers (Past and Expected Entities): Cynthia Erivo, HUNTR/X, Busta Rhymes, Mickey Guyton, Lil Jon, Luísa Sonza, Russell Dickerson, Shaggy, and Debbie Gibson
The 3 Best Ways to Watch the Parade from Home (TV & Streaming)
For the vast majority of Americans, the best way to experience the parade is from the comfort of your living room, where you can enjoy the full spectacle, including the Broadway performances and the final Santa Claus appearance, without the cold. The 2025 broadcast offers three main, reliable methods to watch the parade live.
1. The Traditional Broadcast: NBC
The longest-running and most reliable method is tuning into your local NBC affiliate. The network has been the official broadcast home for decades, offering the full, high-quality production, complete with announcers and exclusive live performances, including those from Broadway shows.
- Cable/Satellite: Simply find your local NBC channel in your TV guide.
- Over-the-Air (OTA) Antenna: If you do not have cable, you can watch NBC for free using a simple digital antenna. This is the only guaranteed "free" method of watching the official broadcast without a paid subscription.
- Coverage: The broadcast runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET, and critically, it is shown in all time zones, meaning West Coast viewers will see it at 8:30 a.m. PT as well.
2. The Official Live Stream: Peacock
The most popular modern viewing option is the live stream provided by NBCUniversal's platform, Peacock. This is the network's official digital home for the parade and is a must-have for cord-cutters or anyone who prefers to watch on a tablet, phone, or smart TV app.
- Subscription Required: The live feed of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is typically available to Peacock subscribers.
- Benefits: The Peacock stream is a full, simultaneous feed of the NBC broadcast, ensuring you don't miss any of the star-studded entertainment or the giant character balloons, such as the new Buzz Lightyear or the returning PAC-MAN.
- How to Access: Download the Peacock app on your preferred device and sign up for a subscription plan before Thanksgiving morning.
3. Live TV Streaming Services (The Cord-Cutter's Choice)
If you have already cut the cord and subscribe to a live TV streaming package, you likely have access to the NBC channel. These services carry the local affiliate feed, meaning you get the exact same broadcast as cable subscribers.
Services that typically include NBC in their package are major players in the streaming wars and include:
- YouTube TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- FuboTV
- Sling TV (in select markets)
Checking your service's channel lineup for your local NBC affiliate is the only step you need to take to confirm your viewing plan. This method is ideal for those who want a complete, traditional TV experience without the hefty cable bill.
The 2 Best Ways to Watch the Parade in Person (The NYC Experience)
For those who want to experience the 2.5-mile route in New York City, the atmosphere is electric, but securing a prime viewing spot requires preparation and a very early start. The parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. ET, but crowds begin to gather hours before dawn.
1. Along Central Park West (The Early Bird Gets the View)
The parade begins on the Upper West Side at West 77th Street and Central Park West. The best public viewing along this stretch is from West 75th Street down to West 61st Street.
- Why it's Good: The crowds are typically less dense here than in Midtown, and you get to see the giant balloons—such as Shrek's Onion Carriage and Derpy Tiger—freshly inflated and taking off.
- When to Arrive: To secure a front-row spot, you must arrive before 6:00 a.m. ET.
- The Route: The parade travels south along Central Park West.
2. Along 6th Avenue (The Midtown Spectacle)
After leaving Central Park, the parade turns onto Central Park South (59th Street) and then heads south down 6th Avenue, which is a massive public viewing area. This is where the energy peaks, and the floats, marching bands, and performers like Cynthia Erivo and Busta Rhymes truly shine.
- Best Stretch: The most recommended public viewing is along 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 38th Street.
- Areas to Avoid: Steer clear of 6th Avenue between 34th and 38th streets, and the area around Columbus Circle, as these are often reserved for grandstand seating or are closed to the public.
- Final Destination: The parade turns onto West 34th Street and ends at Macy's Herald Square.
No matter if you choose the warm comfort of your home with a live stream on Peacock or the exhilarating cold of a Central Park West sidewalk, the 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade promises to be a spectacular start to the holiday season. The blend of traditional television on NBC and modern streaming options ensures that this American tradition remains accessible to everyone, everywhere, on Thanksgiving morning.
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