You Don't Even Need Cable to Watch the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Every year the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the start of the Christmas season with the grand arrival of Santa Claus to end the event. It's a can't-miss occasion that has long been broadcast on TV for those who can't make it to the chilly sidewalks of New York to watch it in person. If here's how to watch the 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade at this year's feast.
Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC
NBC shows the parade every year on Thanksgiving (which is Thursday, November 28, 2019) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST. It's hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker from the TODAY show. You can tune into the channel on your TV sets or stream the event via the NBC app on your mobile devices or smart TVs if you have cable login information.
You can also watch online at nbc.com/live if you have cable information to log in with. Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV also all offer NBC as part of their channel packages, and they also offer free trials that you can use to check out the parade without spending the hard-earned cash that we all need for Christmas presents.
Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS
Although NBC is the parade's official coverage station, CBS usually airs The Thanksgiving Day Parade On CBS with Entertainment Tonight hosts Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight. The CBS version also airs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST and features parade footage along with CBS-affiliated celebrity appearances and Broadway cast performances.
Viewers with cable can watch CBS on TV. You can also watch online or on a mobile device/a smart TV via CBS All Access. It's a paid subscription service, but you can initiate a free trial. CBS can also be found on Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV, all of which offer free trials.
The 2019 Macy's Parade Balloon Lineup Has Some Changes
According to the parade's website, notable 2019 changes to the balloon lineup include an astronaut-themed Snoopy to honor the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Smokey the Bear is also making his first appearance since 1993 to celebrate his 75th birthday.
The first few parades didn't actually have the balloons it's famous for today. According to the Washington Post, in the original 1924 Macy's parade, animals from the local Central Park Zoo were walked through the parade's six mile course. The elephants, camels, donkeys, and tigers actually scared both the other performers and the children watching, so the parade started using balloons in 1927. The parade route has also since been shortened to two and a half miles instead of six.
The 2019 Macy's Parade Performers List will be Star-Studded
The performers list hasn't yet been announced for this year, but, if it's anything like years' past, it will be chockfull of A-listers. In 2018, the likes of Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Diana Ross, and Martina McBride all performed along with casts from the year's new Broadway plays like Mean Girls, The Prom, and My Fair Lady. The parade will also feature marching bands from across the country along with circus performers, ballet dancers, cheerleaders, and more.
However you choose to tune in on November 28, you won't want to miss the parade's high-flying balloons, star-studded floats, energizing performances, and Santa's grand arrival to close out the day. 'Tis the season!
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