DETROIT (WWJ) -- It’s a tradition that’s been delighting Detroiters for more than a century. America’s Thanksgiving Parade returns to Woodward Avenue Thursday morning, marking the 99th time the floats and bands will march through the heart of the city since it all started in 1924.
Here are some important things to know about this year’s parade, presented by Gardner White, which has the theme “Thanksgiving is Better in Detroit.”
When and where is the parade?
The 99th annual parade will step off at 8:45 a.m. at Woodward and Kirby, making the roughly hour-and-a-half trip down Woodward to the “Celebration Zone,” at Woodward and Congress, just south of Campus Martius.
Where can I watch?
Spectators can catch the parade for free anywhere along the three-mile parade route.
The Parade is narrated live on 104.3 FM WOMC. It will be broadcast live on WDIV, Local 4, streamed live on www.clickondetroit.com, the ClickOnDetroit App, or on Local 4+, which is available for free to download on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire or Google TV.
Who will be in the parade?
Outgoing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and award-winning television journalist Devin Scillian will serve as Grand Marshals.
There will be loads of parade floats, balloons and local marching bands.
Street closures
Downtown Detroit is expected to be busy bright and early on Thursday morning as the crowds head down for the parade, Turkey Trot run and the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving game.
Some road closures started as early as Tuesday.
**Tuesday, November 25, 2025**
- Gratiot between Farmer and Woodward is closed for WDIV-TV setup.
**Wednesday, November 26, 2025**
- Woodward between W. Grand Blvd and Warren to close at 9 a.m.
- Woodward from Warren to Congress to close at noon.
- Atwater from Civic Center Drive to the Residence Water’s Square Valet will close at 1:30 p.m.
- Griswold between Fort and Congress to close at 6 p.m.
**Thursday, November 27, 2025**
Motorists may cross Woodward at these intersections until 5 a.m. Crossover streets are: Warren, Alexandrine, MLK/Mack, Fisher Service Drive, Adams, Park/Witherall, John R/Clifford and Grand River.
Woodward from W. Grand Blvd. to Larned will be closed completely from 5 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
The following streets will close beginning at 5 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27 and reopen after the Turkey Trot at approximately 10 a.m.:
- 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
In addition, the southbound Lodge exits at W. Jefferson/Cobo and Larned Street (Exits 1A & 1B) and the northbound Lodge exit at W. Jefferson (Exit 1A) will be closed beginning at 7 a.m. during the entire Turkey Trot. The Larned exit will reopen after the Turkey Trot ends.
Parking
Parade officials suggest using two facility parking areas:
**The Ford Underground Garage (30 E. Jefferson Avenue)**
Hours: Nov. 27, 2025 | hourly rate
Rate(s): $10 (5 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
**Eastern Market Garage (2727 Riopelle Street)**
Hours: Nov. 27, 2025 | 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Rate: $10
Motorists should note that vehicles blocking driveways, crosswalks, fire hydrants or other critical access points or illegally parked will be ticketed and possibly towed.
Detroit People Mover
On Thanksgiving Day, the People Mover operates from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will be a hub of activity, starting with the free Hot Cocoa and hand warmers event at Grand Circus Park Station from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Race spectators and families can stop in for the giveaways while America’s Thanksgiving Parade travels down Woodward Avenue. The station is located at 1 Park St., between Woodward and Washington Blvd., next to the Autograph David Whitney Hotel.
Three stations are closed to parade viewing: on Woodward Avenue (Broadway and Grand Circus Park) and the grandstands near Campus Martius (Cadillac Center). All DPM stations will be open except Times Square Station, which is closed for the winter season to complete platform resurfacing.
The People Mover is free to ride.
QLINE
The QLINE will be closed during the parade.
- Tuesday, Nov. 25: Service ends early at 11PM
- Wednesday and Thursday: No service during parade setup and the Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Friday: Full service is back
DDOT Bus Reroutes
As a result of street closures for Thanksgiving Day events, DDOT customers can expect delays beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. All buses/bus routes will go to the Rosa Parks Transit Center.
The following bus routes will be affected because of the parade on Nov. 27, 2025 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.:
3 Grand River
4 Woodward
5 Van Dyke/Lafayette
6 Gratiot
8 Warren
9 Jefferson
16 Dexter
23 Hamilton
31 Mack
42 Mid-City Loop
52 Chene
67 Cadillac/Harper
The following routes will be affected because of the Turkey Trot on Nov. 27, 2025 starting at 7 a.m. and detours expected to end following the race at 10 a.m.:
1 Vernor
3 Grand River
19 Fort
27 Joy
29 Linwood
Note: The Grand River detour will continue until approximately 5 p.m.
DDOT will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day for all regular routes at regular fares. For more information, please call DDOT’s Customer Service Office at (313) 933-1300 or go to RideDetroitTransit.com.