Thanksgiving TV Specials 2016: Parades, NFL Football Games, Marathons and More
Thanksgiving weekend is a cornucopia of holiday televised content, bingeable marathons and, of course, football games. From festive parades on Thanksgiving morning to Christmas specials over the weekend — and, yes, a “Friends” marathon too — we’ve compiled a list of programming options to help you decide what to watch (and skip).
Thursday, November 24
Specials
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – 9 a.m. on NBC and live stream
Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS – 9 a.m. on CBS
McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade – 9 a.m. on WGN America
National Dog Show – 12 p.m. on NBC
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration – 8 p.m. on ABC
Marathons
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – 6 a.m. on IFC
“Parks and Recreation” – 7 a.m. on Esquire
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” – 9 a.m. on Comedy Central
John Wayne Western Movie Marathon – 10 a.m. on AMC
“Back to the Future” – 10 a.m. on TNT
“Friends” – 11 a.m. on TBS
“Jurassic Park” – 11 a.m. on Spike
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” Laughsgiving Marathon – 12 p.m. on WGN
“The Simpsons” – 12 p.m. on FXX
“Party Down” (Season 1) – 7 p.m. on Starz
NFL Football
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – 12:30 p.m. on CBS
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – 4:30 p.m. on Fox
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts – 8:30 p.m. on NBC
Friday, November 25
Specials
“Christmas Under the Stars” (featuring Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith) – 8 p.m. (6 p.m. MT) on BYUtv and live stream
“Frosty the Snowman” – 8 p.m. on CBS
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” – 8 p.m. on NBC
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” – 8 p.m. on ABC
“Frosty Returns” – 8:30 p.m. on CBS
“How Murray Saved Christmas” – 8:30 on NBC
Marathons
“Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” – 12 a.m. on Netflix
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Movie Marathon – 6 a.m. on TCM
“Star Wars” – 6:45 a.m. on TBS
“Desus & Mero-thon” – 8:30 a.m. on Viceland
“Party Down” (Season 2) – 7 p.m. on Starz
Saturday, November 26
Specials
“Love Actually” – 6 p.m. on E!
“Christmas Under the Stars” (featuring Peter Hollens, Ryan Innes and Madilyn Paige) – 8 p.m. (6 p.m. MT) on BYUtv and live stream
“The Story of Santa Claus” – 9 p.m. on CBS
Marathons
“Star Trek” – 12:10 a.m. on BBC America
Tyler Perry Movie Marathon – 11 a.m. on BET
“Spartacus: Blood and Sand” – 1 p.m. on Starz
Sunday, November 27
Specials
“Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special” – 7 p.m. on Fox
NFL Football
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens – 1 p.m. on CBS
New York Giants at Cleveland Browns – 1 p.m. on Fox
New England Patriots at New York Jets – 4:25 p.m. on CBS
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – 8:20 p.m. on NBC
(Note: all start times are listed in EST)
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