Virtual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Viewing Party: Practical Tips to Yummy Recipes!

No, it’s not being cancelled! The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City will instead—like so much else these days—be going virtual for the first time in its nearly 100 years existence. This beloved, iconic event will reportedly be largely pre-recorded and the huge number of bands and entertainers trimmed down to avoid large gatherings of performers. (You can check for parade updates at the Macy’s website.)

But for the rest of us "parade goers" not in NYC., we’ve most likely been enjoying the spectacle on our TV screens each year anyway. And many of us probably held our own viewing parties, too. This year, though, let’s jump on the virtual bandwagon (or parade float?) and throw a virtual Macy’s Parade viewing party across several households!

Read on for our tips on how to do this—as we gear up for the live broadcast of the parade on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, 2020 on NBC from 9:00 a.m. to noon across all U.S. time zones. (*this post contains affiliate links)

Virtual Viewing Party Tips

• Contact family members and friends ahead about the idea of holding a Macy’s Parade viewing party simultaneously wherever you may be.
• Send out an e-vite with all the details of date, time, network, games and prizes, and viewing party snacks and drinks that each household or viewer will prepare.
• Note that the parade broadcast is before lunch, so you might make this a brunch leading up to your main Thanksgiving dinner later.
• Share ahead the recipes of the snacks and drinks you’ve chosen (see our delish suggestions below!). So everyone can buy and prep the needed ingredients.
• Pre-order limited edition souvenir items from Macy’s Parade Shop that can be used as prizes for the virtual viewing party games (more on that in the last section below). Or you may choose just one to raffle off for a lucky viewer to win!
• Have each household choose a spot where they can gather round their TV—and also mount their webcam, laptop or mobile device to livestream themselves watching the parade and also joining in the games you’ve got planned.
• It would be fun to record each group at the party, then edit the separate recordings into one keepsake video of your first Virtual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Light Menu, Easy Decor, and Fun Attire for Your Viewing Party

Okay, now for some yum and fun details! From light and easy recipes to share, simple decor for an "on-cam backdrop," to a Thanksgiving t-shirt you can all pre-order to wear.

Remember, though, there’s still Thanksgiving dinner coming up later in the day. So enjoy the parade, but leave the "getting stuffed" to the turkey!

Great choices of munchies to snack on would be a bowl of Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix (1), a festive tray of Cranberry Baked Brie (2) and crackers, Apple Brie Bruschetta (5) made with caramelized apple slices and a hint of cinnamon, and homemade Low-fat Spinach Dip (3) served with crunchy veggie sticks and pita chips.