How to Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for Free
Catch the Nov. 26 parade free on NBC at 8:30 a.m. and use the 2 p.m. encore if you miss the live show.
You can watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the annual holiday procession in New York City, for free on your local NBC station. Bee Bulletin update reports the 100th parade steps off Thursday, November 26, 2026, with TV coverage starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones.
NBC Insider guide lists the live broadcast from 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones, with an encore at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
Set your TV for the morning show if you want floats, bands, and performances live. Use the afternoon encore if morning plans run long.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
Should you pick the live show or the encore?
Pick the morning telecast if you want the parade as it happens. You get balloons, floats, and performances in order. Family and early guests can watch together before dinner prep.
Pick the encore if mornings are busy. You still see the same NBC telecast in a later slot. Record the morning show as backup if your TV allows it.
How do you watch on a regular TV?
Use your local NBC station. Find its channel number in your TV menu or printed guide. Tune directly to that channel on Thanksgiving morning.
An indoor antenna can pull in nearby broadcast stations. Place it near a window and rescan for channels. Keep the volume up so you hear cues from another room.
Can you stream it for free?
Peacock simulcasts the NBC parade live, but Peacock event page lists Premium at $12.99/month and Premium Plus at $19.99/month, so it is not a free option. Do not count a Peacock login as a free backup. Plan to watch the NBC telecast instead.
Other apps may carry live NBC if they include local stations. Access varies by location and plan. Confirm what your app includes before Thursday.
How do you lock in your plan?
Confirm your NBC channel before the holiday. Local channel numbers differ by city and provider. A quick check avoids searching during the opening number.
Do these three checks Wednesday night: Check your local listing Wednesday night and keep the antenna in place for Thursday morning.
- Find your local NBC channel number
- Set a reminder for the morning start
- Note the afternoon encore time as backup