The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Macy's said 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.
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 of August 18, 2026, which gives the start as 8:30 a.m. in all time zones. NBC's November schedule, 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 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 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.