Detroit is gearing up for one of its most cherished traditions as the 98th annual America’s Thanksgiving Parade is set to take place in Downtown Detroit on Thursday morning. This beloved event, organized by The Parade Company and presented by Gardner White, attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators each year, making it a highlight of the holiday season.
Parade Schedule and Details
The festivities will kick off early on Thanksgiving Day, starting with the Turkey Trot at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Stuffing Strut at 8:30 a.m. The main parade will commence at 8:45 a.m., beginning on Woodward Avenue at Kirby in Midtown Detroit. Participants and onlookers can expect a vibrant display as the parade marches south down Woodward, concluding at Congress and Woodward after approximately an hour and a half.
This year’s parade will feature three distinguished grand marshals: retiring U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, NBC sports announcer Mike Tirico, and Daniel Loepp, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Their presence is sure to add to the excitement and prestige of this longstanding tradition.
Road Closures and Traffic Advisory
- W. Jefferson from the Lodge Freeway to Cabacier
- Michigan at Cass
- Fort Street from Trumbull to Woodward
- Congress from Shelby to Randolph
- Larned from Shelby to Randolph
- Shelby from Congress to Michigan
- Michigan from Cass to Woodward
- Monroe from Woodward to Randolph
- Lafayette Blvd. from Trumbull to Griswold
- Washington Blvd. from Adams to Congress
- Atwater from Civic Center Dr. to Third
As the parade progresses, additional road closures will come into effect:
- Woodward between W. Grand Blvd and Warren will close at 9 a.m.
- Woodward from Warren to Congress will close at noon.
- Atwater between Civic Center Drive and Third will close at 3 p.m.
- Griswold between Fort and Congress will close at 6 p.m.
Drivers are advised that they may cross Woodward at various intersections until 5 a.m., including Warren, Alexandrine, MLK/Mack, Fisher Service Drive, Adams, Park/Witherall, John R/Clifford, and Grand River. However, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Woodward from W. Grand Blvd. to Larned will be completely closed.
Public Transportation Updates
The Detroit People Mover has resumed operations and will run continuously from 6:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, following a maintenance period of 11 weeks. This will provide an alternative transportation option for those looking to attend the parade.
Additionally, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced reroutes for several bus lines due to the expected street closures. Passengers should anticipate delays starting at 6 a.m. on Thursday. All bus routes will redirect to the Rosa Parks Transit Center. The affected bus routes include:
- 3 Grand River
- 4 Woodward
- 5 Van Dyke/Lafayette
- 6 Gratiot
- 8 Warren
- 9 Jefferson
- 16 Dexter
- 23 Hamilton
- 31 Mack
- 42 Mid-City
With a rich history and a festive atmosphere, the America’s Thanksgiving Parade promises to be a memorable event for families and individuals alike. As the city of Detroit comes together to celebrate, attendees are encouraged to arrive early, plan their routes, and enjoy the holiday spirit that fills the streets.
