Your Guide to Thanksgiving Day Specials and Sports on DISH
What to Watch While the Turkey Roasts and the Fam Gathers
Thanksgiving morning has its own magic: the clatter of pans, the scent of sage and cinnamon, kids darting through the kitchen, grandparents settling into their favorite chairs. It’s the perfect moment to fire up the TV and let a few beloved traditions fill the house with warmth and nostalgia.
Here’s a few can’t-miss classics that set the tone for Turkey Day.
1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Where to Watch: NBC (check your local NBC affiliate on your DISH guide)
Is it even Thanksgiving without a giant balloon of Mickey Mouse drifting down the street? With marching bands, Broadway numbers, and celebrity drop-ins, the Macy’s Parade is the official kickoff to the holiday season. Turn it on the moment your turkey hits the oven — after nearly a century on air, it’s still the heartbeat of Thanksgiving morning.
2. The National Dog Show
Where to Watch: NBC (immediately following the Parade)
Right after the final float disappears, NBC rolls straight into another beloved tradition: The National Dog Show. Watch Fido, Fluffy, and hundreds of perfectly groomed pups strut their stuff, complete with entertaining commentary and adorable moments. Don’t miss the Terrier group — they’ve snagged Best in Show more than any other group over the past two decades.
3. NFL Thanksgiving Games
Where to Watch: CBS or FOX (DISH channel numbers vary by region)
When: Thanksgiving afternoon
No Thanksgiving lineup is complete without football. It’s the soundtrack of the holiday — cheers from the living room, the hum of commentators, and the perfect backdrop for post-dinner lounging. This year, catch the Packers at Lions kicking things off, then the Chiefs at Cowboys in the afternoon, and wrap up with the Bengals at Ravens in primetime.
Whether you live for every touchdown or just halftime snacks, football is a Turkey Day staple.
4. Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving Special
Where to Watch: NBC (check listings for exact air time)
On Thanksgiving Eve, NBC airs a curated marathon of SNL’s most iconic holiday sketches — the perfect blend of nostalgia and comedy to get you through that last leg of peeling potatoes. It’s family-friendly, familiar, and guaranteed to get laughs from kiddo and grandparents alike.
5. Friends Thanksgiving Episodes Marathon
Where to Watch: TBS (check your local DISH listings)
TBS has scheduled its annual Thanksgiving-themed lineup of Friends episodes — a beloved tradition of sit-com comfort, chaotic turkey dinners and iconic one-liners. What can we say? Monica’s turkey-on-the-head dance is pure Thanksgiving gold. Whether you’ve seen these episodes a thousand times or once, it’s perfect background TV while the turkey roasts.
Your Thanksgiving TV Feast
All these gems are easy to find on major networks through your DISH guide and offer something for everyone — parades, puppies, football, and comedy classics. Consider it the perfect Thanksgiving TV feast. Happy Turkey Day, all!
