How to Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Online for Free

· Rolling Stone

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For many families, the turkey isn’t the headliner of Thanksgiving; it’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The annual New York City event is back on Thursday for its 99th year, delivering the usual spectacle of floats, giant balloons, and performances.

The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will kick off at 7:30 a.m. ET with an appearance by Cynthia Erivo. Other performers on the schedule include Lainey Wilson, Busta Rhymes, and Ciara, plus EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami (KPOP DEMON HUNTERS).

At a Glance: How to Watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Not sure how to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year? Read on. Ahead is a quick guide on the best ways to livestream the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade without cable, including ways to stream the Thanksgiving parade for free.

How to Watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Online

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC. If you don’t have a cable subscription, you can livestream the Thanksgiving parade online using any live TV streaming service that carries the channel or Peacock. Here’s a breakdown of the best options:

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DirecTV

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➤ $39.99/month
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 185+ channels

DirecTV carries NBC in several of its packages — all of which start with a five-day free trial. The most affordable plan with NBC access is the MyNews Genre Pack, which costs $39.99 a month after the free trial ends.

Peacock

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➤ $10.99/month
➤ On-demand and live content

Peacock will have a simulcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade available to subscribers with their Premium or Premium Plus plans. These plans start at $10.99 a month, but Peacock does not offer a free trial.

Sling

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➤ $19.99/month
➤ Short-term passes available
➤ Up to 46 channels

Sling carries NBC in select markets. The channel is available in its Select, Blue, and Blue + Orange plans, which start at $19.99 a month. Sling does not offer a free trial.

Hulu + Live TV

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➤ $89.99/month
➤ Three-day free trial
➤ 95+ channels

Another live TV streaming service that carries NBC for a Thanksgiving parade livestream is Hulu + Live TV. This one starts with a three-day free trial and costs $89.99 a month after the trial ends.

Stream Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for Free

Use a free trial from DirecTV or Hulu + Live TV to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for free.

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When Is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Live TV coverage of the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 7:30 a.m. ET.