The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a long-standing holiday tradition, so how can people watch it with their loved ones this year? First taking place in 1924, the parade is as much a Thanksgiving staple as turkey dinners and NFL football. It's defined by its trademark giant inflatable balloons and performances from some of today's hottest music artists. With families all gathered together to celebrate the occasion, the parade is the ideal way to start the day, serving as a kickoff to the holiday season. There's a reason it ends with Santa Claus waving joyfully to the adoring crowd.
It's no secret Thanksgiving is quite the busy time, but lots of people across the country like to settle down for a few hours and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, taking in all the sight and sounds. For those wondering how they can watch the 2018 Thanksgiving Day parade, we're here to help with a handy guide.
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How to Watch The Thanksgiving Day Parade On TV
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade has been a part of NBC's programming schedule dating back to since 1952 and the network will once again broadcast the event in 2018. NBC's live telecast runs from 9 am to 12 pm EST. If you're traveling during that time and still want to watch it, you're in luck. There will be a special encore presentation of the parade airing at 2 pm EST.
CBS will also air "portions" of the Macy's parade on their network. People should check their local listings for the right channel.
How to Watch The Thanksgiving Parade Online
Of course, TV isn't the only avenue available to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. In keeping with the current trends, there are multiple ways to catch it online.
NBC's Website: People can visit nbc.com/live during the broadcast window to see the parade on any connected device. When visiting the site, users will need to select their TV provider before being able to watch the parade.
NBC App: The parade can also be seen on the official NBC app, which is free to download on the Android and App stores. The app is primarily used to watch NBC's various scripted and late night shows on-demand, but linking your TV provider to the app allows you to watch live broadcasts as well.
Verizon's YouTube Channel: For the cord-cutters who have sworn off cable, there's still a way to watch the parade - in a completely different experience, no less. Verizon's official YouTube channel will show a 360-degrees live stream, hosted by BuzzFeed's Keith Habersberger and E!'s Zuri Hall.