It is a traditional day of thanksgiving. The dinner menu does not change significantly from year to year. The Detroit Lions are going to play football somewhere (and probably lose, if history is any indication). And the day, in many homes, will begin with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The retailer has been a major part of this day for 98 years, and the Christmas shopping season has not officially start, until the end of the holidays until Santa arrives. Along the way, there is a cornucopia of singers, giant balloons and bands.
This year’s parade, like your Thanksgiving dinner, will have some minor changes, but it probably won’t stray too far from tradition.
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
This year’s parade will start at 8:30 am. If you’re doing other things (or if you’re on the West Coast), there will be a rebroadcast after 2pm ET.
How long will the Thanksgiving Day Parade last?
The parade generally lasts 3.5 hours, and the opening show lasts until noon. The rebroadcast is a little tighter and will end at 5:30 p.m
How can I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for free?
The annual event will be simulcast on NBC and Peacock. The best way to watch it for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. To make sure you’re getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in different locations around your home.
Can I stream the Thanksgiving Day Parade online if I don’t have a cable subscription?
Absolutely! Try one of these options…
Peacock
NBC’s streaming service will give you full access to the parade (and tonight’s NFL game). It charges $8 to $14 per month, and the service recently dropped its free trial. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)
Disney+
Disney’s Disney+ range, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 a month for all three combined (or $30 a month for ad-free Hulu).
Adding the Live TV bundle raises the price to $77 per month ($90 without ads).
Hulu with live TV
Free trial running this service it lasts three days. After that, it will cost you $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
after a free trialyou can expect monthly charges of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s lower-tier Sling “Orange” plan will cost $40 a month. Adding the more extensive “Blue” plan raises the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial is unfortunately gone.
DirecTV Stream
This was formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow, and AT&T TV a streaming service often referred to as It will pay you $80 per month and more after the free trial option.
Fubo TV
This sports-oriented cord cutter the service carried by broadcast networks in most markets, including NBC. There’s a seven-day free trial, after which monthly charges start at $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
What are the new balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Minnie Mouse is the big change this year. For the first time since his debut in 1928, Mickey’s polka-dotted friend will join the party. Disney is the last of the Fab Five to take part in the parade. Mickey Mouse balloons debuted in 1934. Pluto was part of the parade that year as well. Donald Duck followed in 1935. And Goofy made an appearance in 1992.
Also new this year are Goku, the hero of the Dragon Ball anime series and video games; the elf on the shelf; Dora the Explorer and Boots (first time in 15 years); and the new Spider-Man balloon.
There will be old Minnie favorites including Snoopy, Bluey, Minions and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Who will be at Thanksgiving this year?
A total of 24 performers will perform in this year’s parade, including Indina Menzel, Charli D’Amelio, T-Pain, The Temptations and Ellie the Elephant from New York Liberty.
What is the route of the parade?
The parade will begin on West 77thth Street and Central Park West, following a winding 2.5-mile route to the Macy’s Flagship store in Herald Square. If you plan to go in person, it’s good to know that not all places on the route are open to the public. Try Central Park West between 60th and 75th Street or Sixth Avenue between West 59thth and 38th the streets come early Real early.
