Thanksgiving is almost here, and whether you’re spending the holiday with family, avoiding the kitchen, or recovering from a massive turkey dinner, there’s plenty to watch on TV. From the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and classic sitcom marathons to holiday movies and star-studded musical specials, networks are serving up a feast of entertainment throughout the long weekend.
Whether you’re in the mood for a few laughs with The Big Bang Theory and Friends, some classic Looney Tunes antics, or an early dose of Christmas cheer, here’s what’s airing on Thanksgiving Day 2026 and beyond.
Wednesday, November 25, at 8/7c, continuing on Thanksgiving Day from 5a-11p, Antenna TV
The marathon celebrates the classic sitcom starring Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford and Marla Gibbs, featuring George, Louise and the rest of the Jefferson family.
The Hogan Family on Rewind TV
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 6a-2a Friday, Rewind TV
The 20-hour marathon features the classic sitcom starring Jason Bateman and Sandy Duncan.
“Rabbits, Ducks & No Turkeys” Looney Tunes Marathon
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 8a-11p, MeTV Toons
The marathon features nearly 100 classic Looney Tunes shorts starring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, including “Hillbilly Hare,” “Stupor Duck,” “Rabbit Romeo,” and “A Star Is Bored.”
Nostalgic Sitcom Specials on MeTV
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, starts at 12/11c, MeTV
The lineup features holiday-themed episodes of classic TV favorites, beginning with The Waltons (“The Waiting”) at noon, followed by Everybody Loves Raymond (“Older Women” and “The Bird”) at 9 pm ET.
Friends Marathon
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, starts at 12:30/11:30c, TBS
Celebrate the holidays with a Friends marathon featuring unforgettable Thanksgiving and holiday disasters, like when Joey got a turkey stuck on his head, the Holiday Armadillo, and plenty of festive chaos.
Warner Bros. / Courtesy: Everett Collection
The Big Bang Theory Thanksgiving Marathon
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, starts at 6/5c, TBS
Thanksgiving gets a geeky twist with a The Big Bang Theory marathon featuring awkward family gatherings, Sheldon’s drunken antics, and plenty of holiday chaos.
Elf 24-Hour Marathon
Friday, November 27, starts at 8/7c, TBS
TBS kicks off the holiday season with a 24-hour Elf marathon beginning Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET, featuring nonstop Christmas cheer and Buddy the Elf’s (Will Ferrell) hilarious holiday antics.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Marathon
Saturday, November 28, starting at 8/7c, TNT
TNT celebrates the holidays with a 24-hour National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation marathon featuring Clark Griswold’s (Chevy Chase) hilariously disastrous attempts to create the perfect family Christmas.
Jump to: TV Marathons – Movies – Holiday Specials
MOVIES
Christmas Delivered
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 8/7c, Hallmark Channel
A successful woman in the tech industry (Autumn Reeser) helps a struggling Christmas-tree farmer (Wes Brown) enter the modern age with his business, as the two develop feelings while saving his business.
Hallmark Channel
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents: Mary Poppins
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 8/7c, ABC
Mary Poppins flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children. The spirited nanny turns every chore into a game and every day into a “Jolly Holiday” to reconnect the children with their parents.
Miracle on 34th Street
November 27, 2:30/1:30c, TNT
The 1994 remake of the holiday classic follows a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Kris Kringle, inspiring a young girl to believe in the magic of Christmas.
The Christmas Eve Feast
November 27, 6/5c, Hallmark Channel
A New York chef (Daniella Monet) who forgot the meaning of Christmas returns to her hometown of Boston to prepare a Feast of the Seven Fishes for her Italian family. A new relationship with a photographer (Kevin McGarry) helps her find her spirit again.
Return to Santa
November 27, 6/5c, Hallmark Channel
A Christmas skeptic (Paul Campbell) has his childhood wishes come true after Santa discovers his long-lost letter many years later. He partners with his childhood best friend (Rachel Boston) to manage the magic as chaos erupts in his life.
Jump to: TV Marathons – Movies – Holiday Specials
HOLIDAY SPECIALS
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents: Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 8:30a/7:30c, ABC and Disney+
Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and all their pals star in an all-time Christmas classic. Ebenezer Scrooge is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity, but with the guidance of some newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 8:30a/7:30c, NBC
Celebrating 100 years of holiday tradition, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the world’s largest annual holiday parade, featuring massive character balloons, including Bluey, Underdog, Hello Kitty and Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse, alongside elaborate floats, marching bands and live performances. The festivities culminate with the arrival of Santa Claus, officially ushering in the Christmas season.
Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank
The National Dog Show
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2/1c, NBC and Peacock
The National Dog Show is a Thanksgiving Day tradition that brings together more than 2,000 dogs representing over 200 breeds, all competing for the coveted Best in Show title. Spend the holiday watching top dogs vie for canine glory.
The JLO Show: Live in Las Vegas
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 8/7c, CBS and Paramount+
Celebrate the holiday with Jennifer Lopez as she welcomes viewers inside her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace. The multihyphenate will perform her hit songs alongside a full orchestra and over a dozen dancers.
Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 8/7c, PBS
Legendary singer/songwriter Paul Simon performs Seven Psalms in this first live performance of the complete piece. Watch the intimate performance that will span his long career.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Thanksgiving Special
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 11:35/10:35c, NBC
Justin Timberlake will join Jimmy Fallon for a special Thanksgiving episode of NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, November 26. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Timberlake’s album FutureSex/LoveSounds, the episode will feature music, comedy, and a special performance from Rockefeller Center’s iconic Rainbow Room, marking the show’s first broadcast from the venue.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton
November 27, 5/6c, Nickelodeon and Paramount+
SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, and an unlikely group of friends must team up to save Christmas after Plankton takes over the North Pole. Lewis Black guest-stars as Santa in this hour-long TV special.