Spectators gather along Manhattan streets as giant balloons and floats make their way down Sixth Avenue during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025 (Photo: File)
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025: The Thanksgiving holiday in the United States is not only a time for feasting but also for celebrating community and tradition. One of the most iconic events of the entire holiday, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, has a total viewership of millions on television across the nation.
The 2025 event will no doubt send colorful floats, giant balloons and entertaining performances to keep crowds of viewers at home and outdoors.
The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will occur on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The festivities kickoff at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time and run for upwards of noon for several hours of live entertainment for families and viewers across the nation.
NBC will air the parade live across the United States, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. If you miss it in the morning, an encore presentation will air at 2:00 p.m. ET/PT, allowing everyone an opportunity to experience the parade.
For those on-the-go viewers or others who might prefer to watch online, Peacock will have the parade streaming live at 8:30 a.m. ET. Live streaming allows flexibility for families and tourists alike to take part in the event in real time, whether from home or traveling.
It is to provide quality entertainment, bringing children & families together on this most cherished national holiday. The objective has remained consistent since the first Holiday Parade in 1924. The parade is a mix of music, performance and spectacle. Following are some highlights:
Weather forecasts predict cold temperatures for Thanksgiving morning. Those that attend will want to be warmly dressed to remain as comfortable as possible since the crowd size is expected to reach 3.5 million. Skies will be clear, providing the best viewing of the balloons and floats.
The parade follows a traditional route through Manhattan:
Access to the balloon inflation area at West 72nd Street & Columbus Avenue closes at 6:00 p.m. To enter the viewing area, you must arrive before 6:00 p.m. Plan your arrival accordingly to ensure entry.
Central Park West: Closed from West 72nd Street to West 86th Street from 12:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, through 12:00 p.m. Thursday, November 27.
West 72nd Street to West 85th Street: Closed between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue from 12:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, through Thursday, November 27.
79th Street Transverse: Closed from 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, through 12:00 p.m. Thursday, November 27.
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Disclaimer: Parade details, times and routes are subject to change. Check official Macy’s sources for the latest updates before attending or streaming.
