The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 marches on Thursday, November 26, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM ET — and this year is the historic 100th parade. It steps off at West 77th Street and Central Park West, travels 2.5 miles down Sixth Avenue to Macy’s Herald Square, and airs live on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, with an NBC encore at 2 PM ET.

Key Facts: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026

• Date and time: Thursday, November 26, 2026, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM ET — a half hour earlier than 2025’s 9:00 AM start.
• The milestone: The 100th march. The first parade was held in 1924; it was suspended 1942–1944 during World War II.
• How to watch: Live on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo at 8:30 AM in all time zones; NBC encore at 2 PM ET.
• The route: West 77th St & Central Park West → Columbus Circle → Sixth Avenue → Macy’s Herald Square, about 2.5 miles.
• 2026 scale: 26 floats, 6 balloonicles, 29 clown crews, and a record 100 inflatable elements, including new balloons like Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey and a Christmas-themed Bluey.
• Cost: Watching from the street is completely free. Arrive by 5:30–6:00 AM for a prime viewing spot.

When Is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026?

The 2026 parade takes place on Thursday, November 26, 2026 — Thanksgiving Day itself — running from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern Time. The 2026 edition steps off a half hour earlier than the 9:00 AM start used in 2025. Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and our Thanksgiving date guide explains exactly how that date is set each year.

This is the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a centennial milestone. Macy’s is treating it accordingly, with a record number of inflatable elements and several brand-new balloons debuting along the route.

The 2026 Parade Route: 2.5 Miles Through Manhattan

The parade begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West, swings through Columbus Circle, heads south down Sixth Avenue, and finishes at Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street — roughly 2.5 miles, about three and a half hours from first balloon to Santa’s sleigh.

Sixth Avenue offers the longest continuous viewing stretch with a straight sightline as the balloons approach. The area around Herald Square is the most restricted, with grandstand seating and broadcast infrastructure.

If you are traveling into the city, our Thanksgiving travel tips for 2026 cover the best times to arrive, where to stay near the route, and how to dodge holiday traffic.

How to Watch the Parade on TV and Streaming

The 100th parade airs live on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo starting at 8:30 AM in all time zones. NBC also airs an encore at 2 PM ET. For cord-cutters, Peacock carries the full live broadcast; Telemundo serves Spanish-language viewers.

One quotable truth about parade day: the television broadcast shows you every float in close-up, but it cannot show you what it feels like when a five-story balloon turns the corner onto your avenue.

Best Places to Watch the Parade in Person

Street-level viewing is completely free — be skeptical of anyone selling “official” grandstand tickets. Arrive between 5:30 and 6:00 AM for a front-row spot.

Top viewing spots along the route

Central Park West (West 60s to 70s): The opening stretch — fills earliest, some arrive before 5 AM.

Columbus Circle: The parade’s big turn — dramatic photos, brief gaps between elements.

Sixth Avenue (50s down to 40s): The sweet spot — long straight views, slightly smaller crowds, nearby coffee shops.

What to bring: Dress warmer than necessary, bring a portable phone charger and snacks. Leave folding chairs at home.

The 2026 Lineup: New Balloons, Floats, and a Record 100 Inflatables

For its centennial: 26 floats, 6 balloonicles, 29 clown crews and a record 100 inflatable elements.

New balloons for 2026: Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, a Christmas-themed Bluey, Derpy Tiger, Sussie, Billie Brightpaw, and Tom Jr. On the float side, GEICO debuts with a road-trip-themed float, while the PLANTERS brand and Mr. Peanut return for the 100th march — noted in the official PLANTERS centennial announcement.

The Balloon Inflation Event: Wednesday Before Thanksgiving

On Wednesday, November 25, 2026, from 1 PM to 6 PM, Macy’s holds its free public balloon inflation event near the American Museum of Natural History (West 77th–81st Streets). The crowds are thinner, the pace relaxed, and kids get remarkably close. If your schedule allows only one parade-related outing and you dislike 5 AM alarms, make it this one.

100 Years of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The first parade marched in 1924 — the parade was suspended 1942–1944 during World War II, which is why 2026 is the 100th march. That first parade featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo; giant character balloons came a few years later.

The parade is the unofficial opening ceremony of the American holiday season, ending every year with Santa’s sleigh. It belongs on any serious list of Thanksgiving traditions.

Tips for First-Time Parade Goers

1. The subway is your only sane option. Streets around the route close to traffic for hours.

2. Pick your spot by 6 AM or accept the second row.

3. The west side of Sixth Avenue gets morning sun — better for backlit balloon photos.

4. Have an exit plan. When Santa passes, tens of thousands move at once.

5. Combine it with the inflation event. Wednesday’s inflation viewing plus Thursday’s parade is the full centennial experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026

What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 start? 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, November 26, 2026.

What channel is the parade on? NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo live at 8:30 AM in all time zones, with an NBC encore at 2 PM ET.

Is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade free to watch? Yes — street viewing is free; Macy’s does not sell official grandstand tickets to the public.

Why is the 2026 parade the 100th? The first parade was held in 1924 and suspended during WWII (1942–1944), making 2026 the 100th edition.

Can I see the balloons before the parade? Yes — the free balloon inflation event runs Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 1–6 PM near the American Museum of Natural History.

What is new in the 2026 parade? New balloons include Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Christmas-themed Bluey, Derpy Tiger, Sussie, Billie Brightpaw, and Tom Jr.; GEICO’s float debuts; a record 100 inflatable elements.

Make the 100th Parade Your Year

A centennial only happens once. Whether you brave the 5:30 AM sidewalk, wander the balloon inflation on Wednesday afternoon, or watch from your couch, the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the kind of shared national moment that becomes a family story.