There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who get excited to watch football on Thanksgiving, and those who get excited about watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
I happen to fall into the latter category.
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Ever since I was a young kid, I would wake up every Thanksgiving morning, run downstairs, and immediately turn on the Thanksgiving Day Parade if it wasn't already on. It's a tradition that I still stick to 20+ years later.
Along with the spectacular floats, musical acts, and high-flying balloons, a staple of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the marching band performances. Programs from across the world travel to New York City for their chance to bask in the spotlight in front of a nationally televised audience.
Here's everything you need to know about all eleven marching band programs that are attending the 2026 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and keep checking back for updates to which programs will be attending:
Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band
Location: Kingsport, TN, USA
About: "The Dobyns-Bennett High School Band is one of the most respected high school band programs in the Southeast and has established a reputation for musical excellence and achievement that has been fostered for 100 years.
Organized in 1926, the first band consisted of 45 students. Currently the band has an annual enrollment of more than 350 students and has performed at all of the major performance venues and events available to high school bands including 5 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, 4 Tournament of Roses Parades, 1 Presidential Inaugural Parade and appearances by our concert bands in Carnegie Hall and at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. The Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band is also a 5-time Band’s of America Grand National Finalist and the 2018, 2021, and 2022 Class AAA National Champions." (source)
James F Byrnes High School Marching Band
Location: Duncan, SC, USA
About: "The James F. Byrnes High School Bands has long been a source of pride for the community, and an ambassador for the District Five Schools of Spartanburg County. The band program has established a long tradition of excellence in musical performance, and student leadership. The James F. Byrnes band boasts one of the most comprehensive band programs, and one of the finest Performing Fine Arts Centers in South Carolina with nearly 400 students participating in several band or guard performing ensembles at James F. Byrnes High School annually.
The James F. Byrnes High School band program consists of 4 concert ensembles, 2 marching bands, 3 winter guards, and several chamber ensembles. The James F. Byrnes Band Program is fortunate to have state of the art facilities such as the Spartanburg School District Five Fine Arts Center." (source)
Nā Koa Ali'i Hawai'i All-State Marching Band
Location: Hilo, HI, USA
About: "The Nā Koa Aliʻi (nah KO-ah Ah-Lee-ee) Hawaiʻi All-State Marching Band is a statewide ensemble representing every county in Hawaiʻi, from Hawaiʻi Island to Kauaʻi, Maui to Oʻahu. Founded in 2002 by Director Emeritus John Riggle, the band has performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, earning national recognition as one of America’s most distinctive student performing arts traditions. What sets Nā Koa Aliʻi apart is the fusion at its core. Approximately 250 student musicians perform alongside nearly 100 hula dancers from Hālau Na Maka O Puʻuwai Aloha (Hah-LAH-oo Nah MAH-kah Oh Poo-oo-WAH-ee Aah-LOW-Ha) under the direction of Kumu (Koo-moo) Mandi Scott, united by a shared commitment to honoring Hawaiʻi's cultural identity on the world stage. Administered since 2025 by AlohaMusic, a Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit dedicated to statewide music education, Nā Koa Aliʻi enters the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® as it has always marched: as one voice for an entire state." (source)
Pride of Pearland Marching Band
Location: Pearland, TX, USA
About: "The Pride of Pearland Marching Band is the largest student organization in Pearland, Texas and one of the largest high school marching bands in the nation exceeding 500 members. The band has a long history of success in the state of Texas that begins in the 1970s where they were consistently recognized among the best marching and concert bands in the state. They are currently one of the premier programs in the nation with accolades that include the 2020 Rose parade, being a consistent UIL State Marching Band Contest Finalist, consistent Bands of America Super Regional Finalist, a multi-time Bands of America Regional Champion, and placing seventh in the nation in their first time competing at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 2023." (source)
The Marching Minutemen
Location: Elkart, IN, USA
About: "Hailing from Elkhart, Indiana—the “Band Instrument Capital of the World”—the Concord High School Marching Minutemen have earned a reputation for excellence both statewide and nationally for decades. The Marching Minutemen boast an impressive track record, having advanced to the ISSMA Marching Band state finals 39 times. Their resume includes five Class B state championships (1992, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2015) and seven State runner-up titles. This inspiring dedication was even chronicled nationally in Kristin Laine’s acclaimed 2007 book, American Band. Concord’s acclaim extends far beyond state borders, with performances spanning from Hawaii and California to Florida and Washington, D.C. Notably, the band has been invited to perform in the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® eight times (most recently in 2026)—more than any other high school band in Indiana history." (source)
The University of Alabama "Million Dollar Band"
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
About: "Performing in front of millions of fans each year, the Million Dollar Band has been a Crimson Tide tradition for 106 years. Saturdays at the Capstone would not be the same without the excitement provided by the 400 members of the Million Dollar Band, which is one of the most respected university marching bands in the country. Members of the Million Dollar Band are majors in almost every school and department within the University and the Million Dollar Band is easily the largest student organization on campus. In addition to winning the Sudler Award in 2003, which designates the “National Champion” of collegiate marching bands, the Million Dollar Band has been invited to perform exhibitions all over the country. The band traveled to Atlanta in October of 2007 to perform exhibition at the Bands of America Regional Championships and to Indianapolis in November 2017 to perform exhibition at the Bands of America Grand Nationals." (source)
The University of Connecticut Marching Band
Location: Storrs, CT, USA
About: "One of UConn's largest and most visible student organizations, the UConn Marching Band brings the energy of Husky Nation to football games, campus traditions, exhibitions, parades, and special performances throughout Connecticut and across the country.
Our members bring musical and marching experience from programs throughout Connecticut, the Northeast, and beyond. Most perform on their primary instruments and arrive with previous marching experience, ready to continue developing as musicians and performers at the collegiate level." (source)
The University of Illinois Marching Illini
Location: Champaign, IL, USA
About: "For over 150 years, the Nation’s Premier College Marching Band, the Marching Illini has captivated audiences across the nation with spectacular performances and innovative concepts. The unique style of the Marching Illini represents a combination of time-honored traditions and exciting innovations. Whether performing before the home crowd or away, the Marching Illini has held a level of national distinction and a reputation for excellence." (source)