Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023 Is Starting. Here's How to Watch

Thanksgiving 2023

It's that time of the year again, Thanksgiving festivities are here and it also marks the commencement of one of the grandest parades in the United States, the renowned Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. So instead of getting ready for your Black Friday shopping sprees, take a break and savor the parade spectacle.

Thanksgiving 2023 - Figure 1
Photo CNET

I absolutely adore this particular aspect of Thanksgiving Day. Every year, I eagerly anticipate the appearance of the floats, balloons, and performances. The broadcast for this year boasts a couple of slight adjustments to the usual Thanksgiving Day schedule. There will be an earlier commencement time (details below) and some fresh camera perspectives, but other than that, the parade will run just as it has for many years. Expect timeless parade features, such as live acts from renowned musicians, floats, bands on foot, and exhibitions from Broadway shows.

For those who are enthusiasts like me or for those who simply want to pass the time while preparing a Thanksgiving meal, you will be glad to hear that streaming the parade is quite simple. Whether you intend to view the celebrations firsthand in New York City or from the coziness (and warmth) of your own abode, this article will tell you everything you need to know.

The balloon of Pikachu is set to make a return at the 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day procession.

When Does Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Begin?

The 97th Macy's parade is scheduled to be broadcasted on Thursday, November 23rd, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific Time). However, if you prefer to sleep in on Thanksgiving Day, don't worry, NBC and Peacock will re-air the parade at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (11 a.m. Pacific Time).

The same as the previous year, Today's Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will be hosting the parade. There will be various performers such as Jon Batiste, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, Ashley Park with the cast and characters of Sesame Street, Pentatonix, and many more. Those who love Broadway can enjoy performances by & Juliet, Back to the Future: The Musical, How to Dance in Ohio, Shucked, Spamalot, and as always, the Radio City Rockettes.

This year's parade will feature a variety of performances and floats, in addition to beloved balloons such as Bluey, Grogu, and Pikachu. Joining the lineup are new balloons like Beagle Scout Snoopy and Kung Fu Panda's Po, sure to become fan-favorites.

Watch Thanksgiving Parade On Peacock

You can catch the parade on Peacock and Telemundo at the same time. This is the most affordable way to watch it and you can watch other NBC and Telemundo shows on demand here too. Once the parade ends, you can stay on Peacock to watch the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks NFL game in the evening.

Currently, during the Black Friday event, you have the opportunity to obtain a Peacock Premium membership for only $2 every month (which saves you $4 every month) if you utilize the code BIGDEAL. Alternatively, you may acquire a year subscription for $20 (thus saving you $40) with the application of the code YEARLONG.

To access Peacock content, you can subscribe to either the ad-based version for $6 a month or upgrade to Peacock Premium Plus for $12 a month. With the latter, you'll enjoy less commercial interruptions and the ability to download select content and watch it offline. It's important to keep in mind, however, that there may still be occasional ads on the Premium Plus subscription due to content licensing agreements.

If you are a Spectrum or Xfinity internet customer, you may be eligible for a reduction in cost, and it is possible that you can acquire Peacock Premium without charge. This offer extends to students also.

"Live TV Stream: Watch The Parade Now!"

In case you have decided to give up your cable subscription, there's no need to miss this year's parade. You can always opt for a live TV streaming service such as YouTube TV, Fubo, or Sling. However, it's important to note that NBC is offered only in a few cities with Sling Blue or Sling Blue + Orange subscriptions.

You can access NBC and Telemundo through the live TV streaming service. You can watch shows either as they are aired or later on. This service costs $73 per month and by entering your ZIP code, you can find out what local channels are accessible in your region. Check out our review of YouTube TV.

"Watch Thanksgiving Parade With VPN"

If you're wandering around in a foreign country and desire to watch Peacock but cannot access it, getting a VPN service can be helpful. By using a VPN, you can change your position virtually, enabling you to access the show from anywhere around the world, using your phone, tablet or laptop. There are many reasons why using a VPN for streaming is beneficial.

One of the most effective ways to prevent your internet service provider (ISP) from reducing your internet speed is by utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your online traffic. Additionally, when you're traveling and accessing public Wi-Fi networks, it's a good idea to utilize a VPN to ensure that your device and login information are protected. If you're someone who frequently streams TV shows and movies, using a trustworthy VPN that meets industry security requirements can help ensure smoother streaming experiences.

If VPNs are permitted in your country and you have a legitimate subscription to the streaming platform you want to use, then it's perfectly okay to use a VPN for streaming content. In countries such as the US and Canada, VPNs are permitted by law. However, we strongly advise against downloading or watching content from illegal torrent sites. Our top suggestion is ExpressVPN, but we also have a list of other trustworthy providers, including Surfshark and NordVPN.

If you're searching for a trustworthy and taut VPN, we highly recommend ExpressVPN as our top pick. It swiftly runs on various gadgets and grants steady broadcasts. It usually charges $13 per month, but you can enjoy a 15-month service for only $6.67 per month with ExpressVPN's yearly package, which also offers three gratis months.

If you're considering using ExpressVPN, you'll be pleased to know they have a 30-day cash back promise. Don't just take our word for it, check out our review of ExpressVPN.

To watch the parade on Peacock, you need to install a VPN and follow the provider's instructions. Choose a country where the stream is available, such as the US. Before opening the app, ensure that you are connected to the VPN using the region you selected. If you plan to use multiple devices, you may need to configure them individually to make sure you're signed in. Check your network connections in the settings to confirm that you're logged in and connected to the VPN account. Once you've completed these steps, you're good to go and can start streaming the parade on Peacock.

If you're having trouble streaming, start by ensuring that your VPN is operating correctly on its protected IP address. Confirm that you have accurately followed the installation instructions, and selected the appropriate region for viewing. If you're still facing connection issues, you may need to restart your device. To do this, shut down all open apps and windows, switch off your device, and reconnect to your VPN before trying again. Please keep in mind that certain streaming services prohibit VPN access.

To get ready for your shopping spree on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, check out these tips.

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