Teddy Swims will perform at the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, joining Megan Moroney for a featured appearance at Macy’s Herald Square on Thursday, Nov. 26.
Macy’s announced the lineup on Friday, Nov. 13, confirming that the Grammy Award-nominated singer will take part in the landmark parade, which will travel through Manhattan on Thanksgiving morning.
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Teddy Swims added to centennial parade lineup
The performance will take place at Macy’s flagship location in Herald Square as part of the televised celebration.
Megan Moroney is also scheduled to deliver a featured performance from the same location, while other performers will appear on floats along the parade route.
The 2026 event marks the parade’s 100th march and is expected to combine musical performances, marching bands, character balloons, floats and the traditional arrival of Santa Claus.
The parade was first held in 1924 and paused for three years during the Second World War before returning as an annual holiday tradition.
Macy’s said more than 11,000 volunteers and participants will help stage this year’s event.
Who else is performing at the Macy’s parade?
The announced float performers include Baha Men, Natasha Bedingfield, Blues Traveler, DEVO, Feid, Mckenna Grace, Icona Pop, Il Volo and the Indigo Girls.
Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, JoJo, Wyclef Jean, Queen Latifah, Natalie Merchant, Jamie Miller, Ryan Peter Murphy, Leslie Odom Jr., Keke Palmer, Anthony Ramos, RIIZE and Smash Mouth are also scheduled to appear.
The lineup additionally includes special appearances by Melissa Joan Hart, Jack McBrayer, Janet McTeer, Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete.
Megan Hilty will lead a tribute to Dolly Parton, while EJAE is scheduled for a featured performance.
Macy’s said additional talent, including Broadway performers, will be announced in the coming weeks.
New balloons and floats planned for 2026
The centennial parade will feature a record 100 inflatable elements in the Manhattan sky.
New balloons and inflatable characters include Bluey, Buckaroo Bob the Minion, Earl the Squirrel, Hello Kitty Big Apple, Joe Cool and Woodstock, Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey and Underdog.
Levi’s will introduce a new balloonicle called Fuzzyeti’s Fur Wheel Drive, while Macy’s Studios will debut Billie Brightpaw, a bear created specifically for the parade.
New floats include Dashing All the Way with DoorDash, Hogwarts Holiday with HBO, Mr. Peanut Power Plant with Planters, Purina Dog Chow Salute to Service Dogs, Road Trip to Parade with GEICO and Macy’s Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes.
A new Macy’s All-Stars float will feature characters associated with previous parades, including Bugs Bunny, Curious George, Popeye, Scooby-Doo, Sonic the Hedgehog and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
When and where to watch the parade
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, in all time zones.
The broadcast will air live on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo, with an encore scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on NBC.
Today hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will return to lead the English-language broadcast.
The parade route will cover 2.5 miles from Manhattan’s Upper West Side to Macy’s Herald Square.
Viewers who want additional background on the event can watch the documentary America’s Parade: 100 Years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is scheduled to air on NBC on Nov. 20 at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time before streaming on Peacock the following day.
NBC will also air its annual Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade special on Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time.
Why Teddy Swims’ appearance matters
Teddy Swims’ inclusion gives the parade a contemporary pop and soul presence alongside established performers, legacy acts and family-focused entertainment.
His appearance also reflects the event’s broader effort to use the centennial broadcast as a showcase for performers from several musical generations and genres.
The Herald Square performances are expected to form part of the nationally televised portion of the parade, while many of the other artists will perform from floats moving along the route.
For audiences in Canada, the U.S. broadcast schedule means the parade will air on Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Thursday, Nov. 26, rather than on the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday observed earlier in October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Teddy Swims perform at the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Yes. Teddy Swims is scheduled to deliver a featured performance at Macy’s Herald Square during the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
When is the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The parade will take place on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones.
Who else is performing at the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The lineup includes Megan Moroney, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, JoJo, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Natasha Bedingfield, Wyclef Jean, Anthony Ramos, RIIZE and many others.
How can viewers watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The parade will air live on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo, with an NBC encore at 2 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time.
What is special about the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The 2026 event is the parade’s 100th march and will feature a record 100 inflatable elements, new floats and a centennial lineup of performers.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, performers, broadcast details, balloons and parade milestones were checked against official Macy’s and NBCUniversal announcements.
Disclaimer: The announced performer lineup may change if Macy’s or its broadcast partners issue further updates before Nov. 26.