# What time is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

*The 2026 parade is the 100th, and Macy's said it will carry a record 100 inflatable elements, including a reimagined Underdog in his first flight since 1984.*

- Type: Explainer
- Section: Culture
- By: Culture Desk
- Published: 2026-11-12T01:55:18-05:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T01:55:18-05:00
- URL: https://factsdesk.com/culture/what-time-is-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/

## Key facts

- The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs Thursday, November 26, 2026, on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, Macy's said. Source: [Macy's, Inc.](https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Macys-Kicks-Off-the-100-Day-Countdown-to-the-100th-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade/default.aspx). Confirmed 2026-11-12T01:54:25-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/culture/what-time-is-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/#the-100th-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade-airs-thursday
- NBC lists the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for Thursday, November 26 at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC, with a simulcast on Peacock. Source: [NBC](https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/what-to-watch-new-on-nbc). Confirmed 2026-11-12T01:54:25-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/culture/what-time-is-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/#nbc-lists-the-100th-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade-for
- NBC lists a preview special, Countdown to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, for Wednesday, November 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Source: [NBC](https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/what-to-watch-new-on-nbc). Confirmed 2026-11-12T01:54:25-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/culture/what-time-is-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/#nbc-lists-a-preview-special-countdown-to-macy-s-thanksgiving
- Macy's said the 100th parade will feature a record lineup of 100 inflatable elements, including a reimagined Underdog in his first flight since 1984. Source: [Macy's, Inc.](https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Macys-Kicks-Off-the-100-Day-Countdown-to-the-100th-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade/default.aspx). Confirmed 2026-11-12T01:54:25-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/culture/what-time-is-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/#macy-s-said-the-100th-parade-will-feature-a-record-lineup-of
- NBCUniversal and Macy's agreed in 2025 to a 10-year programming rights deal through 2034 that keeps the parade on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo. Source: [NBCUniversal](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/nbcuniversal-and-macys-expand-their-long-standing-partnership-new-10-year-rights-deal). Confirmed 2026-11-12T01:54:25-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/culture/what-time-is-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/#nbcuniversal-and-macy-s-agreed-in-2025-to-a-10-year

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Macy's [said](https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Macys-Kicks-Off-the-100-Day-Countdown-to-the-100th-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade/default.aspx) audiences can watch the 100th parade on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. A separate page covers [when Thanksgiving is in 2026](/culture/when-is-thanksgiving-2026/).

## Time and channel

| What | When | Where |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Countdown to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | Wednesday, November 25, 8 p.m. ET | NBC, Peacock |
| 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | Thursday, November 26, 8:30 a.m. | NBC, Peacock, Telemundo |

The parade row comes from the [Macy's announcement](https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Macys-Kicks-Off-the-100-Day-Countdown-to-the-100th-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade/default.aspx) of August 18, 2026, which gives the start as 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. NBC's [November schedule](https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/what-to-watch-new-on-nbc), updated October 28, 2026, lists the parade for Thursday, November 26 at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC with a simulcast on Peacock. The same NBC schedule lists the preview special for Wednesday, November 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

The Macy's announcement gives 8:30 a.m. for every time zone, and the NBC schedule states the time in Eastern.

## What is different about the 2026 parade

The 2026 parade is the 100th. Macy's [said](https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Macys-Kicks-Off-the-100-Day-Countdown-to-the-100th-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade/default.aspx) it will feature a record lineup of 100 inflatable elements. The same announcement names several of them:

- A reimagined Underdog, in what Macy's called his first flight since 1984.
- A new Disney's Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey.
- Two newcomers, Billie Brightpaw and Tom Jr., whom Macy's described as the son of Tom Turkey.
- The Blue Hippopotamus, which Macy's said will return in 2026.

Macy's also said Tony Sarg's Amazing Marionettes will bring the spirit of the parade's early years to the 100th march.

## Who holds the broadcast rights

NBCUniversal and Macy's [agreed](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/nbcuniversal-and-macys-expand-their-long-standing-partnership-new-10-year-rights-deal) in February 2025 to a 10-year programming rights deal through 2034, which keeps the parade on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo. The same release said 2026 would mark the 100th march of the parade.

## Sources

1. [Macy's Kicks Off the 100-Day Countdown to the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade](https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Macys-Kicks-Off-the-100-Day-Countdown-to-the-100th-Macys-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade/default.aspx), Macy's, Inc., 2026-08-18 (primary source)
2. [What's New on NBC in November 2026](https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/what-to-watch-new-on-nbc), NBC, 2026-10-28 (primary source)
3. [NBCUniversal and Macy's Expand Their Long-Standing Partnership With New 10-Year Rights Deal](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/nbcuniversal-and-macys-expand-their-long-standing-partnership-new-10-year-rights-deal), NBCUniversal, 2025-02-25 (primary source)