What Time Is the Macy’s Parade 2026? Start Time, Route & TV
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 AM ET on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at West 77th Street and Central Park West in New York City. It ends at Macy’s Herald Square around noon ET. NBC, Telemundo and Peacock air it starting at 8:30 AM in every time zone.
In your time zone ():
So what time is the Macy’s Parade where you live? It depends on whether you watch the live street event or the TV broadcast. Both are below.
Macy’s Parade Start Time by Time Zone
| Time zone | Live in New York | On TV (NBC) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 8:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Central (CT) | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Mountain (MT) | 6:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Pacific (PT) | 5:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Alaska (AKST) | 4:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Hawaii (HST) | 3:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Mexico City (CST) | 7:30 AM | Not broadcast |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | 1:30 PM | Not broadcast |
The NBC broadcast starts at 8:30 AM local time in every US time zone, so viewers in Central, Mountain and Pacific time watch it after it happens. Canadian viewers follow the time of their matching US zone.
Macy’s Parade Route and Schedule
| Time (ET) | Where the parade is |
|---|---|
| Wed, Nov 25 | Giant balloons are inflated near the American Museum of Natural History |
| About 6:00 AM Thu | Early crowds start lining the route |
| 8:30 AM | Steps off at West 77th Street and Central Park West |
| About 9:30 AM | Lead units reach Sixth Avenue at 59th Street |
| About 12:00 PM | Finishes at Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street |
The route is about 2.5 miles. It runs down Central Park West, along Central Park South, then down Sixth Avenue to Herald Square. The farther south you stand, the later the first balloons arrive.
How Long Is the Macy’s Parade?
The parade lasts about three and a half hours, from 8:30 AM to around noon ET. The TV broadcast runs for the same window.
What Channel Is the Macy’s Parade On?
NBC airs the parade, with a Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock. A same-day encore airs at 2:00 PM ET/PT.
The 100th Macy’s Parade
First held in 1924, the parade marches for the 100th time in 2026. It was not held from 1942 to 1944. Macy’s has announced new balloons for the centennial, including Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, and the return of Underdog for the first time since 1984. The full list of performers is announced closer to the day.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade FAQ
What time does the Macy’s Parade end?
The parade reaches Macy’s Herald Square and ends around 12:00 PM ET (noon).
What time is the Macy’s Parade on TV in California?
NBC airs the parade at 8:30 AM PT. The live event in New York starts earlier, at 5:30 AM PT.
Is the Macy’s Parade live on the West Coast?
No. The NBC broadcast starts at 8:30 AM local time in every time zone, so West Coast viewers see it three hours after it happens.
Is there a replay of the Macy’s Parade?
Yes. NBC airs an encore the same day at 2:00 PM ET/PT.
What time should I arrive to watch the parade in person?
Crowds start gathering around 6:00 AM. Arrive early for a curbside spot, especially on Sixth Avenue.
Is the 2026 Macy’s Parade the 100th?
Yes. The 2026 parade is the 100th edition. The first was held in 1924, and there was no parade from 1942 to 1944.
So, what time is the Macy’s Parade? It starts at 8:30 AM ET on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and ends around noon. After the parade, see the Thanksgiving football game times.
Last updated November 2, 2026, by WTIT Time Desk. Times checked against Macy’s and NBC announcements.
