The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches through New York City on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and airs live from 8:30 a.m. in every time zone on NBC and Peacock, with a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo. This guide has the broadcast details, the new balloons and floats announced so far, why this is the 100th parade, and what Macy’s has not revealed yet.
Last updated on November 9, 2026. Macy’s has not yet announced the performers, and this page is updated when it does.
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | 2026 parade |
| Date | Thursday, November 26, 2026 |
| Start time | 8:30 a.m. in all time zones |
| Runs until | About noon Eastern |
| Where to watch | NBC, Peacock and Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Edition | 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| Performers | Not announced yet |
How to Watch the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NBC has been the parade’s official broadcaster since 1953. In February 2025, Macy’s signed a new 10-year rights deal with NBCUniversal covering the parade and the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks across NBC, Peacock and Telemundo. For 2026 that means:
- NBC: live on Thursday, November 26, from 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, so it starts at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time
- Peacock: streams the parade live alongside the NBC broadcast
- Telemundo: carries the Spanish-language simulcast
The broadcast moved up 30 minutes to the 8:30 a.m. start in 2023, and it has kept that time since.
Why Is It the 100th Parade in 2026?
The parade started in 1924, which would make 2024 the 100th year. It is the 100th parade in 2026 because it was cancelled in 1942, 1943 and 1944 during World War II, so the count runs two years behind the calendar.
The first parade ended with Santa Claus arriving at Macy’s Herald Square, and character balloons first appeared in 1927. Macy’s director of creative production, Brendan Kennedy, told Parade that the centennial would bring both new balloons and classic ones.
New Balloons in the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy’s has revealed its new character balloons, and NBC News reported that crews inflated and flew them at Balloonfest at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday, November 7. These are the new balloons named by at least two outlets:
| Balloon | What to know |
| Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey | Mickey Mouse in his Fantasia role. Macy’s and Disney revealed it on D23 Day, and this is its debut in the parade. |
| Joe Cool and Woodstock | Snoopy in his laid-back campus persona, with his pal Woodstock. |
| Hello Kitty | The Sanrio character returns with a brand-new balloon, holding an apple as a nod to the Big Apple. |
| Underdog | Back in his blue cape for the first time in more than 40 years. |
| Bluey | The Australian cartoon pup, whose first parade balloon appeared in 2022. |
| Buckaroo Bob the Minion | A new Minions balloon for the centennial. |
Macy’s lineup page lists more balloons and floats than the ones above, and some outlets count them differently, so we only include what two or more reports agree on.
Floats Announced for the 100th Parade
Two new floats have been named in more than one report:
- Hogwarts Holiday: a Harry Potter float inspired by HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone series. It features the Great Hall, with the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin houses all represented. Our Harry Potter HBO series guide has the release date and cast.
- Purina Dog Chow Salute to Service Dogs: a float featuring a real-life veteran and service dog team.
Who Is Performing at the 2026 Parade?
Macy’s has not announced the performer lineup for the 100th parade. The parade usually mixes music stars with Broadway casts, marching bands, the Rockettes and a finale with Santa. We will add the names here as soon as the lineup is official.
What to Watch Next
Once Santa has arrived at Herald Square, the holiday season is officially on. Our guide to new Christmas movies and where to watch them covers the streaming and TV lineup, and our best TV shows to watch in November 2026 roundup has the rest of the month.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 FAQ
When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2026?
Thursday, November 26, 2026. It is the 100th parade.
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start in 2026?
8:30 a.m. in all time zones, and it runs until about noon Eastern.
What channel is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on?
NBC, with a live stream on Peacock and a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo.
Why is 2026 the 100th Macy’s parade?
The parade began in 1924 but was cancelled in 1942, 1943 and 1944 because of World War II, so the 100th parade falls in 2026.
What are the new balloons in the 2026 parade?
Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Joe Cool and Woodstock, Hello Kitty, Underdog, Bluey and Buckaroo Bob the Minion.
Who is performing at the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The performer lineup has not been announced yet.
Is there a Harry Potter float in the 2026 parade?
Yes. A Hogwarts Holiday float inspired by HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series will debut in the parade.
Sources: broadcast details, balloons and floats are from Macy’s announcements as reported by Parade, NBC News and Mickey Visit. Photo credits, via Wikimedia Commons: Felix the Cat, Bill Smith collection (public domain); balloon inflation by Rhododendrites (CC BY-SA 4.0), images cropped and resized. If you are the rights holder of an image on this page and would like it removed or credited differently, see our Terms of Service or contact us and we will act promptly.
