Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026: Time, Route, Balloons
The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: start time, route, how to watch on NBC and Peacock, and every balloon and float Macy's has confirmed so far, with unannounced details clearly marked.
- The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Nov 26, 2026 (13:30 GMT, 7:00 p.m. IST).
- It airs on NBC and Telemundo and streams on Peacock from 8:30 a.m. in all US time zones, along a 2.5-mile route to Herald Square.
- Macy's has confirmed a record 100 inflatables, including new Mickey and Joe Cool Snoopy balloons, but has not yet named performers.
The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and runs until about noon along a 2.5-mile route from Manhattan's Upper West Side to Macy's Herald Square. NBC, Peacock and Telemundo carry it from 8:30 a.m. "in all time zones," Macy's said in its August 18, 2026 announcement. For viewers in the UK and India, the parade steps off at 13:30 GMT and 7:00 p.m. IST.
This guide sticks to what Macy's has officially announced as of October 26, 2026, and marks anything not yet confirmed. That includes the performer lineup, which had not been released at the time of writing.
Parade date, start time and how to watch
- Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Start: 8:30 a.m. ET in New York; CentralPark.com lists it as running until 12 noon ET
- TV: NBC, plus a Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo
- Streaming: Peacock
- UK and India: 13:30 GMT and 7:00 p.m. IST for the live start in New York
Because NBC airs the broadcast at 8:30 a.m. in every US time zone, viewers on the West Coast see it starting at 8:30 a.m. PT, three hours after the parade begins in Manhattan. NBC has televised the parade since 1953, and Macy's signed a new 10-year deal with NBCUniversal in February 2025 covering NBC, Peacock and Telemundo, according to Parade.
Not yet announced for 2026: the hosts, any afternoon encore and any eve-of-parade special. In 2025, NBC's hosts were TODAY's Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker, an encore aired at 2 p.m. ET/PT, and a primetime countdown special ran the night before, according to NBCUniversal. Similar plans are likely, but treat them as unconfirmed until NBC announces them. For what else is open and closed on the holiday, see our Thanksgiving 2026 guide.
Parade route and where to watch in person
The route starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West and heads south on Central Park West to Columbus Circle. It then turns east along Central Park South, south down Sixth Avenue to 34th Street, and west to Macy's Herald Square at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue, per CentralPark.com. NBC's 2025 route guide described the same path, and Macy's 2025 parade release called it a 2.5-mile route from 77th Street.
Macy's has not yet published a 2026 route notice, so treat the route as expected until Macy's or the NYPD confirms it. Viewing tips from the guides:
- Central Park West, roughly between West 75th and West 61st streets, is the most popular stretch. People start lining up around 6 a.m.
- Sixth Avenue between West 59th and West 38th streets is the next best option.
- No public viewing is allowed at the start (Central Park West and West 77th), on Sixth Avenue between West 38th and West 34th, or on 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, where the Herald Square performances are staged.
Sources differ on Central Park South. CentralPark.com lists it as closed to public viewing, while NBC's 2025 guide named the south side of West 59th Street as a viewing area. Check official guidance closer to the day.
The balloon inflation viewing is another tradition. In 2025 it took place on Wednesday, November 26, the day before the parade, from 1 to 6 p.m. It was free, with entry at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue, according to NBC. Macy's has not announced the 2026 details; going by past practice, expect it on Wednesday, November 25.
Balloons and floats announced so far
Macy's says the 100th parade will feature a record 100 inflatable elements. These are the balloons and floats officially named as of October 26, 2026.
New for the 100th parade
- Disney's Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey: a brand-new giant balloon, revealed with Disney (Macy's, August 18).
- Billie Brightpaw: a new character Macy's calls the parade's "newest companion and natural-born adventurer."
- Tom Jr.: the son of the parade's Tom Turkey.
- Joe Cool Snoopy with Woodstock: unveiled on September 16 at Gansevoort Plaza in Manhattan. Macy's officials told CBS New York that his sunglasses are about 40 times the size of a normal pair.
- Tony Sarg's Amazing Marionettes float: recreates characters and drawings by Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who shaped the parade's early balloons and floats, and includes a puppet of Sarg himself.
Returning favourites
- Underdog: a reimagined balloon making his first flight since 1984. CBS Philadelphia highlighted his return on October 20.
- Felix the Cat: the parade's first character balloon in 1927. The current version debuted at the 90th parade in 2016.
- Blue Hippopotamus: lost after the 1931 parade. Macy's says details of its participation are still to come, and the hippo also stars in this year's Herald Square holiday windows, according to Macy's October 22 holiday release.
- Macy's All-Stars float: carrying Bullwinkle J. Moose, Olive Oyl, Popeye, Swee'Pea and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Some fan sites and news outlets list more balloons and floats. Until Macy's confirms them, treat those lists as unconfirmed. Macy's has also not said how the 100 inflatables split between giant balloons, novelty balloons and balloonicles. For comparison, the 2025 parade had 32 balloons, three balloonicles, 27 floats, 33 clown groups and 11 marching bands, per Macy's.
Performers: not announced yet
As of October 26, 2026, Macy's has not named the 2026 performers, celebrity guests or marching bands. Its press release feed shows no lineup announcement, and CentralPark.com still lists performers as to be announced.
Past years suggest the list is close. The AP published the 2024 lineup on November 1, 2024, with a headliner added later (NBC New York). Macy's released the 2025 lineup on November 3, 2025. That parade featured Ciara, Foreigner, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang and the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters, plus Broadway casts and the Radio City Rockettes. Santa arrived last, closing the parade (NBC New York/AP).
Why the 100th parade is in 2026
The first parade marched in 1924, but there were no parades from 1942 to 1944 during World War II, so 2026 brings the 100th edition, according to amNewYork. Felix the Cat became the first character balloon in 1927, carried on sticks by volunteers, and helium balloons arrived in 1928. In the early years, Macy's let the balloons go at the end and gave prizes to people who returned them. In 1931 every balloon came back except the Blue Hippo, Macy's says.
Macy's is marking the centennial with a countdown clock at Herald Square, archival windows in select stores, a commemorative book, Let's Have a Parade: Celebrating 100 Macy's Parades, and product collaborations with brands including Disney, Peanuts and Crocs. Its Herald Square holiday windows open on November 19, and free Santaland bookings begin on November 20. For the shopping weekend that follows, see our Black Friday 2026 guide.
Record TV audiences
The 2025 parade drew 34.3 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, its biggest combined audience on record and 8% more than in 2024, according to preliminary Nielsen data released by NBCUniversal on December 1, 2025. The 8:30 a.m. ET broadcast on NBC alone averaged 25.4 million viewers. That made it the most-watched entertainment telecast in nearly seven years. The AP reported that the 2024 parade had drawn more than 31 million viewers, a record at the time.
If you plan to stay in front of the TV, the first Thanksgiving NFL game, Bears at Lions, kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET, an hour after the parade is due to end. Our Thanksgiving NFL games guide has all three matchups.
What to watch for
- The performer and host lineup: based on 2024 and 2025, expect it in late October or early November.
- The full balloon and float list: including what the record 100 inflatables are made up of.
- Route, viewing areas and balloon inflation details for 2026 from Macy's and the NYPD.
- Broadcast extras: any NBC encore or countdown special.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade start in 2026?
The parade starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and runs until about noon. NBC and Peacock carry it from 8:30 a.m. in every US time zone, so West Coast viewers see it on a delay. The live start is 13:30 GMT in the UK and 7:00 p.m. IST in India.
How can I watch or stream the 2026 Macy's parade?
Macy's says the 100th parade airs on NBC and Telemundo and streams on Peacock, starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. NBC has not yet announced hosts or any encore for 2026; in 2025 an encore aired at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
What is the Macy's parade route?
The parade starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West, goes south to Columbus Circle, east on Central Park South, south on Sixth Avenue to 34th Street and west to Macy's Herald Square at Seventh Avenue. That is about 2.5 miles. Macy's had not issued a 2026 route notice as of October 26, so confirm it closer to the day.
Who is performing at the 2026 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
As of October 26, 2026, Macy's has not announced the performers. The lineup came out on November 1 in 2024 and November 3 in 2025, so an announcement in late October or early November is likely. The Radio City Rockettes and Santa have appeared in recent parades.
Why is 2026 the 100th parade if it started in 1924?
The first Macy's parade was held in 1924, but there were no parades from 1942 to 1944 during World War II. Those three missing years mean the 100th edition falls in 2026.
Sources
- Macy's Kicks Off the 100-Day Countdown to the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy's, Inc.
- There's Magic Inside Macy's This Holiday Season, Macy's, Inc.
- The Most Wonderful Stories Start at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy's, Inc.
- Macy's, Inc. Press Releases (RSS feed), Macy's, Inc.
- Macy's unveils countdown to 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade and balloons making their return for the celebration, amNewYork
- New Snoopy balloon to take flight in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026, CBS News
- Underdog balloon returning for 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, CBS News
- 2026 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, CentralPark.com
- 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route: When and Where It Starts and the Best Viewing Areas, NBC
- NBC's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Set All-Time Viewership Record, NBCUniversal
- America's Most Watched Entertainment Telecast of the Year, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Returns Live on NBC and Peacock Nov. 27, NBCUniversal
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Who's joining this year's lineup?, NBC New York (Associated Press)
- Who is performing at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?, NBC New York (Associated Press)
- Marching to 100! Everything to Know About the 2026 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Parade (via Yahoo)
How we wrote this
GessyMorgan explainers are built from public reporting and official sources. This post draws on the 14 sources listed above, each linked where we use it. It was drafted with AI assistance and checked against those sources before publishing. We did not test products, attend events or interview anyone for this article. Facts are current as of October 26, 2026, and we update the post when they change.
