You’ve got the turkey in the oven, the house smells like sage and butter, and someone is already asking when the "big balloons" start. It's the classic holiday panic. Nobody wants to miss the opening Broadway numbers or that first glimpse of Snoopy floating above the Manhattan skyline.
If you’re wondering what time is the thanksgiving day parade on this year, the short answer is 8:30 a.m. sharp. But as anyone who’s ever tried to coordinate a holiday meal knows, "the time" is a little more complicated than just a single number on a clock.
The Official 2025 and 2026 Kickoff Times
Timing is everything. For the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, 2025, and the massive 100th-anniversary milestone on November 26, 2026, the schedule is staying consistent.
The broadcast officially begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 12:00 p.m. across all time zones on NBC.
Wait. Let me clarify that.
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If you are watching on NBC or Peacock, the show is localized. This means if you are in New York, it starts at 8:30 a.m. ET. If you are in California, it also starts at 8:30 a.m. PT. You don't have to wake up at 5:30 a.m. in Los Angeles unless you’re trying to catch a specific live-streamed feed that isn't time-delayed.
What about the encore?
Life happens. Maybe the dog got into the trash or the rolls burned. If you miss the morning magic, NBC almost always runs an encore presentation at 2:00 p.m. local time. It’s the exact same footage, just perfect for that post-turkey food coma.
Why the 8:30 a.m. Start Matters
For decades, the parade started at 9:00 a.m. It was a staple. But recently, the organizers bumped it up by thirty minutes to squeeze in even more performances. Honestly, those extra thirty minutes are usually filled with the heavy hitters—the Broadway casts of Wicked or The Lion King usually perform right at the start, standing on the brown carpet in front of Macy’s Herald Square.
If you tune in at 9:00 a.m., you’ve already missed the opening number. Don't be that person.
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The 2025 Lineup Highlights
This year is shaping up to be pretty wild. We're looking at:
- New Balloons: Expect to see Mario from Nintendo and a fresh Buzz Lightyear.
- Performers: Rumors and early confirmations point to big names like Ciara and Teyana Taylor.
- The Route: It starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, then snakes down to 34th Street.
If you’re watching in person, "what time is the parade on" means something totally different. For the folks on the street, the parade technically "starts" for them when the first float passes their specific block. If you’re at the very end of the route near 34th Street, you might be standing around until 9:30 a.m. before you see a single sequin.
How to Watch Without a Traditional Cable Box
Kinda over cable? Same. You don't need a massive Comcast bill to see Santa arrive at the end of the show.
Peacock is the primary home for the parade now. Since it’s an NBCUniversal property, they stream the whole thing live. It’s usually tucked right on the home screen the moment you open the app on Thanksgiving morning.
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If you don't have Peacock, you can use:
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes your local NBC affiliate.
- YouTube TV: Great for recording it if you want to skip the commercials later.
- An Antenna: Seriously. A cheap $20 digital antenna picks up NBC in high definition for free. It’s the most "retro" but reliable way to watch.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Timing
There’s a common misconception that the parade is "live" for everyone at the same second. It isn't.
NBC uses a "tape delay" for the Central and Mountain time zones to ensure everyone sees it at 8:30 a.m. their time. This is why you should stay off social media if you want to be surprised by which balloon gets caught in a gust of wind or which singer is clearly lip-syncing (we all know they do it, it’s too cold for real vocals!).
By the time the parade "starts" in Chicago, it’s actually already halfway over in New York.
Actionable Tips for Parade Day
To make sure your morning goes smoothly, keep these three things in mind:
- Set the DVR for 8:25 a.m.: Give yourself a five-minute buffer. Sometimes the local news cuts to the parade a minute or two early for "pre-show" fluff.
- Check your Peacock login the night before: There is nothing worse than hunting for a password while the kids are screaming that they missed the Pokémon balloon.
- Don't forget the National Dog Show: It starts immediately after the parade at 12:00 p.m. It’s the unofficial "part two" of Thanksgiving morning.
Mark your calendar for 8:30 a.m. on November 27, 2025. Whether you're watching for the marching bands or just to see Santa Claus usher in the Christmas season, being on time is the only way to catch the full spectacle.