How to Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade This Year
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Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner! While the food is arguably the best part of the holiday, tuning in to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a close second (along with decorating for the season, of course!). Prior to the dog show and football games set to grace our screens in the afternoon, this Turkey Day procession is one of the best viewing experiences for the whole family. Even if you're not sitting down to watch the parade in its entirety, it's great comfort TV to leave on while you're prepping for the main event: The Feast.
While the parade itself takes place in New York City, you can watch the action from anywhere in the world. In-person visitors can see the iconic event from designated viewing areas along the route, which starts at 77th Street and Central Park West then turns east at 59th Street, leading revelers downtown along Sixth Avenue and ending at Herald Square on 34th Street. But if you won't be in the Big Apple for the holiday season, there are many different ways to watch and live stream the iconic spectacle this year.
Read on to learn everything we know about the 96th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
When Is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade happens on Thanksgiving Day in the United States. This year, the holiday falls on Thursday, November 23. The longstanding tradition started in 1924 when the parade debuted. It was televised for the first time in 1946.
How Can I Watch and Live Stream the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving parade will air nationwide on NBC from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in all time zones. Telemundo will simulcast the parade in Spanish. You can also live stream the event on Peacock.
During the three-hour event, bands from across the country, Broadway performers, and musical guests will make their way down the 2.5-mile stretch, marching and dancing on the street and riding on Macy's signature floats. As always, spectators can expect to see giant character balloons, floats, and street performers.
Who's Performing at the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
In total, there are 17 performers set to show up and show out at this year's parade.
Alex Smith
Amanda Shaw
Ashley Park
Bell Biv Devoe
Brandy
Cher
Chicago
David Foster & Katharine McPhee
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
Enhypen
En Vogue
Jessie James Decker
Jon Batiste
Manuel Turizo
Miss America Grace Stanke
Paul Russel
Pentatonix
Who's Hosting the Parade on NBC?
Today show cohosts Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker will be hosting.
What's New This Year?
The new Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons for 2023 include a Beagle Scout Snoopy and a Blue Cat & Chugs character. (Blue Cat is a digital character in the Cool Cats NFT collection, and his pal Chugs is a milk carton.) You can also expect to see 20 other balloons, 26 floats, and 6 balloonicles (balloons maneuvered by utility vehicles or motorized wheelchairs) among the performers, Broadway casts, and marching bands.
What Marching Bands Are Set to Perform?
There are a handful of recurring marching bands and musical groups that you can look forward to seeing.
Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon & White (Huntsville, AL)
The Band Directors Marching Band (nationwide)
Fishers High School Marching Tiger Band (Fishers, IN)
Greendale High School Marching Band (Greendale, WI)
Jenison High School Marching Band (Jenison, MI)
Macy's Great American Marching Band (nationwide)
Mercer Island High School Marching Band (Mercer Island, WA)
NYPD Marching Band (New York, NY)
O'Fallon Township High School Marching Panthers (O'Fallon, IL)
Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights (Piscataway, NJ)
Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment (Parkland, FL)
Texas Tech University Goin' Band from Raiderland (Lubbock, TX)
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