Thanksgiving in Kansas City brings food, family, and festivities galore. But if you’re hoping to catch a local Thanksgiving parade rolling down the streets this year, you might want to adjust those plans. Kansas City doesn’t host a traditional Thanksgiving Day parade. Don’t worry, though, because the metro area has plenty of other ways to celebrate Turkey Day that’ll keep your family entertained from sunrise to well after sunset.
Watch the Big Show From Your Couch
Just because Kansas City doesn’t have its own parade doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the spectacle. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City brings all the giant balloons, elaborate floats, and star-studded performances right to your living room. The parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and runs until noon on NBC and Peacock.
You can stream it live on Peacock for just $7.99 a month, or catch it on NBC through services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo. If you’ve got an old-fashioned antenna lying around, NBC broadcasts it for free over the air. Grab your coffee, settle into the couch, and let the holiday magic come to you.
Behind the Balloon Magic
Ever wonder what goes into those massive balloons floating above Manhattan? Each character balloon takes about 18 months of planning and design before it ever sees daylight. The night before the parade, crews gather on New York’s Upper West Side to inflate these giants using specialized helium filling equipment. The balloons get a final top off on Thanksgiving morning so they’re perfectly buoyant for their big moment.
The parade features over 5,000 volunteers, including more than 700 clowns, 11 marching bands, and performers who bring the whole spectacle to life. Every float is engineered to fold down to the size of a city bus just so it can fit through the Lincoln Tunnel to reach the parade route. That’s some serious holiday engineering right there.
Get Moving on Turkey Day
Kansas City locals know the best way to earn that second helping of mashed potatoes is to burn some calories first. The Ward Parkway Turkey Trot offers a 10K, 5K, and Tiny Turkey Trot starting at 8:20 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. The run starts at Ward Parkway Mall and takes you along one of the city’s most scenic routes. Whether you’re a serious runner or just want to waddle along with the kids, this tradition gets your day started on the right foot.
Light Up Your Thanksgiving Night
After you’ve demolished that turkey dinner, head to the Country Club Plaza for the legendary Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The festivities start at 5:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, and the big moment happens just before 7:00 p.m. when thousands of lights flip on in perfect unison across the entire plaza. Music, crowds, and that magical glow make this one of Kansas City’s most beloved traditions. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and walk off some of that pumpkin pie.
You can also catch Christmas in the Sky at Longview Lake Beach from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The free event features singers, dancers, and choir performances that’ll get everyone in the holiday spirit before the drive-through light display opens the next day.
Make Your Own Traditions
Kansas City might not have giant balloons floating through downtown, but the city more than makes up for it with authentic local celebrations that bring the community together. From turkey trots to tree lightings, there’s no shortage of ways to make Thanksgiving special. Gather your crew, pick your favorites, and create some memories that’ll last way longer than the leftovers in your fridge.
Sources: macysthanksgiving.fandom.com, nbc.com, wardparkwaythanksgivingdayrun.com, visitkc.com, makeyourdayhere.com
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