Best bets on TV

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (9 a.m., NBC): It’s not really Thanksgiving until gigantic floating balloons with big smiley faces invade our TV screens in the early morning hours. (”Look kids, it’s Spongebob!”). The 83rd annual march through Manhattan, which follows a new route this year, also will feature its usual assortment of marching bands, celebrities, cheerleaders and, of course, that jolly bearded guy in the red suit. Overseeing the festivities are Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Al Roker of the “Today Show.”

NFL football: As always, it’s a day to feast on turkey — and pigskin. Three NFL games are on tap: Lions vs. Packers (12:30 p.m., Fox), Cowboys vs. Raiders (4 p.m., CBS) and Giants vs. Broncos (8:20 p.m., NFL Network).