Macy's $M has been a key part of people's Thanksgiving celebrations for nearly a century. This year marks the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – and just like the menu for your turkey day meal, it's going to be a mix of traditional offerings and some new ones to keep things interesting.
While next year will be the milestone celebration, this year's warm-up for the big event will offer a cornucopia of singers, giant balloons, and marching bands.
Here's what you can expect when you wake up Thursday morning to watch the festivities.
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begin?
The 2025 parade starts at 8:30 a.m. ET. If you’re on the West Coast or will be focused on food prep at that time, a re-broadcast will run starting at 2:00 p.m. ET.
How long will the Thanksgiving Day parade last?
The parade typically lasts 3.5 hours. The live broadcast will run longer than the rebroadcast, which will wrap up at 5:30 p.m.
Can I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for free?
Absolutely. The parade is being broadcast over the air simultaneously on NBC and Peacock. The best way to watch is with a good HD antenna. Be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home to find the most reliable signal.
Can I stream the Thanksgiving Day Parade online if I don't have a cable subscription?
You've got several options.
Peacock
NBC’s streaming service charges an $8 or $14 monthly charge or $80 for an annual plan. (The service has recently done away with its free trial.)
Hulu with Live TV
This service is going away in 2026, but at the moment it's still accepting new members, who will pay $83 per month (with ads) or $95 per month without ads.
YouTubeTV
After a free trial, monthly charges of $83 will kick in.
Sling TV
The seven-day trial on this service is no more, but Dish is offering a Day Pass, giving you 24-hours of Live TV for $5. (If you're a sports fans, hoping to catch the NFL games later in the day, you can opt for the lower-tiered "Orange" plan, which costs $46 per month. Adding the "Blue" plan, which gives you more sports options, takes that monthly cost to $61 per month.)
DirecTV Stream
The streaming arm of DirecTV costs $85 per month and more after the free trial expires.
Fubo TV
Like Hulu, this standalone app is going away. For now, though, you can take advantage of a seven-day trial, after which you'll be looking at monthly charges of $85 and up.
What are the new balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
This year offers a mix of new and old pop culture when it comes to giant balloons making their debut. Buzz Lightyear will show up for the first time. And video games will be well represented with the debut of Nintendo's Mario and Pac-Man.
Derpy Tiger, Susie, and Flowerpop from KPop Demon Hunters will also be part of the parade.
Returning favorites include Spider-Man, Snoopy, Bluey, Minnie Mouse (who debuted last year), and, for the seventh time, SpongeBob SquarePants.
Who will perform in this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
There will be a lot of familiar names, especially for children of the 1980s and 1990s at this year's Macy's parade. Among the scheduled performers are Debbie Gibson, Kool & the Gang, Jewel, Foreigner, and Shaggy. Lil Jon will also be part of the show, as will Busta Rhymes and HotOnes host Sean Evans
What’s the parade route?
The parade begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West, following a 2.5-mile path to Macy’s Flagship store in Herald Square $SQ. If you’re planning to go in person, be aware that not all spots along the route allow public viewing. Macy's recommends Central Park West between 61th and 75th street, West 59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Ave. and on Sixth Avenue between West 59th and 38th Streets as the best places to watch. Be prepared to show up especially early, if you do.