You’re waking up to the smell of coffee and maybe a turkey already sweating in the oven. The kids are hovering, waiting for that first giant inflatable to peek around the corner of a New York City skyscraper. It’s a tradition that’s basically woven into the American holiday DNA. But if you’ve ditched the expensive cord and the clunky cable box, figuring out where to stream Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 can feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt.
Honestly, it’s easier than it used to be. You don’t need to be standing in the freezing cold on 34th Street or paying a massive monthly Comcast bill to see Minnie Mouse make her debut or watch the Rockettes do their thing.
The 98th annual march kicked off at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on November 28, 2024. If you missed the live window, don't sweat it. There are still ways to catch the spectacle, the performances, and Al Roker’s legendary commentary.
The Best Way to Watch: Peacock is the Home Base
If you want the most direct route, Peacock is where it’s at. Since NBC owns the broadcast rights, their streaming service is the primary hub.
You’ve got a couple of options here. Peacock Premium (the one with some ads) usually runs around $7.99 a month. If you want to skip most of the fluff, Premium Plus is $13.99. The cool thing about the 2024 broadcast on Peacock was the "Multiview" feature. It basically let you switch between different camera angles, like a high-rise view or a street-level shot, which is way more immersive than just watching the standard TV feed.
One thing to keep in mind: Peacock is a live simulcast. That means you’re seeing exactly what the people on NBC are seeing, commercials and all. It’s the easiest "set it and forget it" option for cord-cutters.
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Live TV Streaming Services: The "Cable Without Cable" Options
Maybe you already pay for a live TV replacement. If you do, you probably already have access to the parade without even knowing it. Most of these services carry your local NBC affiliate.
- Hulu + Live TV: This is a big one. It’s pricey—around $76.99 a month—but it includes NBC. If you’re already a subscriber, just search for "Macy's Parade" in the app on Thanksgiving morning.
- YouTube TV: Very popular for a reason. It’s $72.99 a month and carries NBC in almost every market. The DVR feature is a lifesaver here. You can set it to record the parade and start watching at 10 a.m. while skipping all the "Happy Thanksgiving from [Brand]" segments.
- Fubo: This one is usually for the sports fans, but it carries NBC too. They often have a free trial, which some people (cleverly) use just for the holiday weekend.
- Sling TV: This is the "kinda-maybe" option. You need the Sling Blue package to get NBC, and even then, it’s only available in certain big cities like New York, LA, Chicago, and Philadelphia. If you live in a smaller market, Sling might not show your local NBC station, so double-check before you sign up.
What If You Missed the Live Broadcast?
Sleeping in is a valid Thanksgiving tradition. If you missed the 8:30 a.m. start, NBC usually runs an encore presentation at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Peacock also typically keeps the full broadcast available for on-demand viewing for a short window after the event. It’s not there forever, though. Usually, after a few days, the full three-hour block disappears and gets replaced by highlight clips of the best balloons and the Broadway performances.
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Speaking of highlights, the NBC YouTube channel is a goldmine. If you just want to see the Wicked cast or the new Spider-Man balloon inspired by John Romita Sr.’s art, you can find those clips for free without a subscription to anything.
The 2024 Lineup: Why It Was Worth Watching
The 2024 parade was actually the largest one yet. They had 17 giant character balloons and 22 floats.
The star power was pretty high this year, too. We saw Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, and Billy Porter performing in front of Macy's Herald Square. For the Broadway nerds, the casts of Death Becomes Her and Hell’s Kitchen showed up. It’s those specific performances that usually make people go searching for the stream in the first place.
And let’s be real, the balloons are the main event. Seeing Minnie Mouse finally get her own balloon (it’s wild it took this long, right?) was a big deal for Disney fans. Plus, the new Wednesday float from Netflix added a bit of a moody, gothic vibe to an otherwise very bright and cheery morning.
Technical Tips for a Smooth Stream
Nothing ruins a holiday morning like a "Buffering..." circle right when Santa is supposed to show up.
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If you’re streaming on a smart TV or a Roku, try to hardwire your internet connection with an Ethernet cable if you can. Wi-Fi can get spotty when everyone in the house is on their new phones or tablets at the same time.
Also, if you're using a service like YouTube TV or Hulu, make sure your "Home Area" is set correctly in the settings. These apps use your location to give you the right local NBC station. If the app thinks you're in a different city, you might get a "blackout" message.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your current subscriptions: If you have Peacock, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV, you're already set.
- Verify local NBC on Sling: If you use Sling Blue, enter your zip code on their site to see if NBC is included in your area.
- Download the apps now: Don't wait until 8:25 a.m. to download the Peacock app and realize you forgot your password. Get it logged in and ready on your TV today.
- Set the DVR: If you have a cloud DVR with your streaming service, hit "Record" on the parade now so you can pause it when the turkey needs a baste.