The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Macy’s says you can watch it on NBC or Peacock starting at 8:30 a.m. If you are going in person, check the official route and viewing rules on Macy’s parade site before you travel, arrive early, and do not camp overnight. This page does not list balloons; lineups change and belong on the official site. Plan the oven around the broadcast with the Thanksgiving cooking timeline. See the Thanksgiving table, drinks and activities guide, the Thanksgiving NFL games 2026 schedule, and the Thanksgiving guide.
Watching from home
The official Macy’s holiday guidance for 2026 is to tune in on NBC or Peacock at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 26. Spanish-language coverage is often on Telemundo; confirm your local listings the week of the holiday. If you are cooking, treat the parade as background for morning prep, not as a reason to delay the turkey. A 16- to 20-pound bird still needs its chart time plus a 20-minute rest, and it must reach 165°F.
Watching in New York
The parade moves through Manhattan and ends near Macy’s Herald Square. Public viewing areas and arrival advice are set by Macy’s and the NYPD, and they can be updated close to the date, so use the official parade pages rather than a remembered street corner from another year. Plan on an early morning, warm layers, and no overnight camping if that remains the city’s rule. Leave extra time for crowds and transit. Related: how to host Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving cooking timeline.
If you are traveling with children, pick a public viewing stretch from the official map, pack snacks and water, and have an exit plan before the final float. At home, a second adult can watch the bird while someone else stays with the broadcast.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2026?
Macy’s says to watch on NBC or Peacock at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Confirm your local listing for time zone and channel.
Where can I see the official route?
Start with Macy’s parade site and New York City’s public-safety notices. Do not rely on an unofficial map from a prior year.
How do I cook and still watch?
Use the morning for prep and the broadcast, then get the turkey into a 325°F oven on the timeline you already wrote down.
Helpful kitchen tools
- OXO Good Grips Chef’s Precision Digital Instant Read Thermometer — The parade is the morning soundtrack; the thermometer is still how you know the turkey is done.
- Cuisinart Stainless 16-Inch Roasting Pan with Rack and Deluxe Basting Set — Have the pan and rack ready before the broadcast starts so you are not hunting for tools at 9 a.m.
- OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Digital Kitchen Food Scale — Weigh the turkey the day before so cook time is not a surprise during the parade.
- OXO Good Grips 2-Cup and 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup Set — For coffee, cider or a make-ahead side you can bake after the broadcast.
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