Quick answer: The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, starting at 8:30 a.m. in all U.S. time zones. Watch it free on NBC with an antenna, stream it on Peacock Premium ($12.99 a month), or catch the Spanish broadcast on Telemundo.
This year’s parade is a big one. Macy’s is marking its 100th parade, with new balloons and some returning classics. Here is every way to watch without cable, what it costs, and how to plan your morning.
How to watch the 2026 Macy’s parade at a glance
| Option | Cost | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| NBC over the air | Free | A TV antenna and a TV with a tuner |
| Peacock Premium | $12.99/month | Peacock app on a TV, phone or browser |
| Peacock Premium Plus | $19.99/month | Same app, fewer ads |
| Live TV streaming service with NBC | Varies | A service that carries your local NBC station |
| Telemundo (Spanish) | Free over the air | An antenna, or a service with Telemundo |
| In person in New York City | Free | An early start and warm clothes |
Date, time and channel
Macy’s announced on Aug. 18, 2026, that the 100th parade will air on Thursday, Nov. 26. Coverage starts at 8:30 a.m. in every time zone, on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo.
“In every time zone” matters. NBC airs the broadcast on a delay in the Central, Mountain and Pacific zones. So viewers in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles also see it at 8:30 a.m. their time.
The TV broadcast usually runs about three and a half hours, until about noon.
Why is it the 100th parade in 2026?
The first Macy’s parade marched in 1924. It is the 100th parade, not the 102nd, because the parade was canceled from 1942 to 1944 during World War II.
Option 1: Watch free with an antenna
The cheapest way to watch is free, over-the-air NBC. Almost every U.S. TV market has a local NBC station.
- Buy an indoor HD antenna. Many cost less than a month of a streaming service.
- Connect it to your TV’s antenna input.
- Run a channel scan from your TV’s settings menu.
- Find your local NBC station before Thanksgiving morning.
Check which stations reach your address with the FCC’s DTV reception map. If you live far from the towers, an outdoor or attic antenna may work better.
The same antenna also gets Telemundo in many markets, for the Spanish-language broadcast.
Option 2: Stream on Peacock
Peacock is NBC’s streaming service. The parade streams live on Peacock along with NBC.
After price increases announced in August 2026, Peacock Premium is $12.99 a month and Premium Plus is $19.99 a month, as several news outlets reported. Annual plans cost $129.99 and $199.99.
Make sure you choose a Premium plan. Peacock’s lower-cost Select tier is mostly for on-demand shows and may not include live NBC events.
Peacock works on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, smart TVs, game consoles, phones and web browsers.
Option 3: Use a live TV streaming service
If you already pay for a live TV service that carries your local NBC station, you can watch the parade there. Services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream carry NBC in many markets. Sling Blue carries NBC in some cities.
Check your ZIP code on the service’s channel lookup page. Local station deals vary by market.
You can also sign in to the NBC app or NBC.com with your TV provider login to watch live.
Option 4: Watch in person in New York City
Millions of people line the route in Manhattan each year. Watching is free, but it takes planning.
- Arrive very early. Many people stake out spots well before sunrise.
- Dress in layers. Late November mornings in New York can be cold and windy.
- Check the official route and transit plan. Macy’s and the MTA post the final route, street closures and subway changes close to the date.
- Avoid the Herald Square area near the end. It is set aside for the TV broadcast.
The night before, many families visit the balloon inflation area on the Upper West Side. Check Macy’s official site for hours.
What’s new for the 100th parade
Macy’s and Disney revealed a new Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey balloon for the centennial. Macy’s also confirmed that the classic Underdog balloon returns after more than four decades away.
Macy’s usually releases the full list of balloons, floats and performers in the weeks before Thanksgiving. We will update this guide when the final lineup is out.
How to stream it on your TV, step by step
If you have never streamed live TV before, set it up a few days early. Here is the basic process with Peacock:
- Sign up for Peacock Premium on the Peacock website or in the app.
- On your TV, open the app store (Roku Channel Store, Amazon Appstore, Google Play or the App Store).
- Download the Peacock app and sign in.
- On Thanksgiving morning, open the app. Look for the parade on the home screen or in the live channels section.
On a phone or laptop, you can skip the TV steps. Just sign in at Peacock’s website or app.
Watching with kids and family
The parade is one of the most family-friendly broadcasts of the year. A few tips help it go smoothly:
- Turn on closed captions if anyone is hard of hearing. NBC, Peacock and most TV sets support them.
- Use the replay. If breakfast or travel gets in the way, NBC usually airs an encore later in the day. Check your local listings.
- Plan for the rest of the day. Thanksgiving also has three NFL games and the evening movie lineup. One streaming plan may cover more than one event.
Who should pay, and who should not
You likely do not need to pay anything if you have a TV and live within reach of an NBC station. An antenna is a one-time cost and works all year.
Paying for Peacock makes sense if you have no TV, live far from broadcast towers, or want to watch on a phone or laptop while traveling. Peacock also streams NBC’s Thanksgiving night NFL game, so one month can cover the whole day.
A made-up example of planning your morning
These are made-up examples to show how families might plan, not real people.
The Garcia family in Phoenix uses a $30 antenna they bought last year. They scan channels on Sunday, find their NBC station, and watch free at 8:30 a.m. their time.
Jordan, a college student in Ohio, has no TV. Jordan signs up for Peacock Premium for one month, streams the parade on a laptop, and then watches the Thanksgiving night football game. Jordan cancels in December.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until Thanksgiving morning to test your setup. Scan your antenna or log in to your app a few days early.
- Picking the wrong Peacock plan. Choose Premium or Premium Plus for live NBC.
- Using free “live parade stream” sites. Many are illegal or carry malware. Stick to official apps.
- Forgetting the time-zone delay. The broadcast starts at 8:30 a.m. local time, not 8:30 Eastern everywhere.
What if it rains or the wind is strong?
The parade goes on in rain or snow. Under New York City rules, giant balloons can be grounded or flown lower if winds are too strong. In that case, the TV broadcast still airs.
Check the forecast the night before if you plan to watch in person.
Recommended products
Gear that helps you watch free or stay warm on the route:
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Nexgen Headlines earns from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
What time does the 2026 Macy’s parade start?
The broadcast starts at 8:30 a.m. in all U.S. time zones on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026.
Can I watch the Macy’s parade for free?
Yes. Watch NBC or Telemundo free with a TV antenna, or watch in person in New York City.
Is the parade on Peacock?
Yes. It streams live on Peacock. Premium costs $12.99 a month after the August 2026 price increase.
How long is the parade broadcast?
Usually about three and a half hours, from 8:30 a.m. to about noon local time.
Why is 2026 the 100th parade if it started in 1924?
The parade was canceled from 1942 to 1944 during World War II, so 2026 is the 100th parade.
Bottom line
For the 100th Macy’s parade on Nov. 26, the cheapest way to watch is free on NBC with an antenna. If you would rather stream, Peacock Premium is $12.99 for a month. Test your setup a few days early, and you are set for 8:30 a.m.
Last reviewed: Oct. 27, 2026. We will update this guide when Macy’s releases the full lineup and route.
Sources: Macy’s — The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; Parade — Everything to Know About the 2026 Macy’s Parade; ConsumerAffairs — Peacock price increase; FCC — DTV Reception Maps.
