How to watch the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live online or on TV, including free options

A Thanksgiving tradition since 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has not quite turned 100 years-old yet. How is this possible you might wonder? Because it was skipped for three years—1942, 1943, and 1944—during World War II.

Nevertheless, its 99th anniversary is shaping up to be spectacular. Here’s everything you need to know about the (mostly) annual event in New York City, including how to tune in.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade by the numbers

It takes many people to pull off the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Some even do the pulling literally.) There will be more than 5,000 volunteers working hard to make magic happen.

This spectacle includes 34 balloons and 28 floats. There are also four “ballonicles,” which are essentially balloons on wheels. Let’s not forget the 14 specialty units, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, and the one and only Santa Claus.

The parade route begins on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ends on 34th Street in Midtown.

Who’s performing at the 2025 Macy’s parade?

There’s a little something for everyone this year.

Elphaba Thropp herself, Cynthia Erivo, will kick things off with an opening number performance.

Much to the delight of hip children everywhere, the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters will also have a golden moment to shine.

Broadway fans can look forward to numbers from Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, and Ragtime.

Country fans will look forward to Lainey Wilson’s vocal talents, and the Radio City Rockettes will high kick their hearts out.

That’s just the beginning.

There are also performances by Drew Baldridge, Matteo Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Gavin DeGraw, Meg Donnelly, Mr. Fantasy, Foreigner, Debbie Gibson, Mickey Guyton, Christopher Jackson, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Darlene Love, Roman Mejia, Taylor Momsen, Tiler Peck, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Shaggy, Lauren Spencer Smith, Luísa Sonza, and Teyana Taylor.

It’s a jammed-packed event.

What other celebrities are appearing?

Beyond the performances, the parade will be a star-studded event, filled with athletes such as U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin and U.S Paralympian Jack Wallace. Actors Kristoffer Polaha and Nikki DeLoach will also dazzle the parade route. Sean Evans will serve as a special correspondent

What new floats will join the parade?

There are six new floats this year making their way down the parade route.

Science fiction fans look out for Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Netflix. Travel lovers can look forward to The Land of Ice & Wonder by Holland America Line. Parade lovers young and young at heart will be excited for Brick-tastic Winter Mountain by the Lego Group.

Rounding out the new floats are Master Chocolatier Ballroom by Lindt, Friends-giving in Pop City by Pop Mart, and The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator by Serta.

What new balloons will join the 2025 parade?

There are four new additions full of hot air to dazzle onlookers.

Buzz Lightyear and Pac-Man will have their time to float, as will Shrek’s Onion Carriage and Mario.

Additionally, KPop Demon Hunters fans should keep their eyes peeled for Derpy Tiger and Sussie, who will appear in mid‑sized balloon and ballonicle form.

How can I watch or stream the parade live this year?

The parade airs today (Thursday, November 27), which is Thanksgiving. No matter your time zone, the action starts at 8:30 a.m. on NBC.

NBC’s telecast covers those with traditional cable subscriptions and those with an over-the-air antenna with good reception. If you have the latter, you can watch the parade for free. 

The event will also be available on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform. 

If Peacock is not in your streaming arsenal, you can turn to a live-TV streaming platform that includes NBC in its bundle. Those include:

• Hulu + Live TV
• YouTube TV
• Sling TV

Unfortunately, due to a carriage dispute between NBCUniversal and Fubo, NBC had been removed from that streaming service as of press time. Be sure to check regional differences before you commit to yet another monthly charge.

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