Balloons, mascots, celebrities, music groups and more will make their way down Woodward Avenue on Thursday, Nov. 27, for America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.
The 2025 parade presented by Garder White is themed “Thanksgiving is Better in Detroit!” and is expected to draw crowds to the city and encapsulate TV viewers around the country.
From Detroit Lions legend Dexter Bussey and famous actor Christopher McDonald, who plays Shooter McGavin in “Happy Gilmore,” to Santa Claus and SpongeBob SquarePants, the parade plans for a wide line up of guests and characters.
Here’s what to know about year 99 of the Detroit tradition.
What time does the Detroit Thanksgiving parade start?
The parade starts at 8:45 a.m. and takes about an hour and a half to get to the Celebration Zone at the intersection of Congress Street and Woodward Avenue, according to The Parade Co. website.
Detroit Thanksgiving parade route
America’s Thanksgiving Parade marches three miles down Woodward Avenue, starting at Kirby Street and finishing at Congress Street.
The map can be seen here.
How to watch Thanksgiving parade in person in Detroit
The event is viewable along Woodward Avenue for free. Floats start along the route at 8:45 a.m.
Tickets to sit in the grandstands along the route are available for purchase through The Parade Co. until Monday, Nov. 24, or until sold out.
Watch parties are happening and sold out at a number of Detroit places, including the Detroit Historical Museum and The Whitney.
How to watch Detroit Thanksgiving parade on TV
The parade will air live on WDIV-TV (Local 4) from 10 a.m. to noon, with pre-parade coverage beginning at 6 a.m. More than 185 television markets across the country will get a one-hour syndicated national broadcast from 10-11 a.m., according to The Parade Co.
According to The Parade Co., 760 WJR-AM and Audacy WOMC 104.3-FM also will broadcast parade shows.
Turkey Trot is also in Detroit on Thanksgiving
The Turkey Trot 10k and mile races begin at 7:30 a.m. The Turkey Trot 5k begins at 8:30 a.m.
All events are stroller-friendly, but due to congestion and polices in place at Huntington Place, pets are not permitted, according to The Parade Co.
For information on registration and packet pick up, visit theparade.org.
Detroit road closures on Thanksgiving
A number of roads in midtown and downtown will be closed for the parade and Turkey Trot. Detours begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving Day reroutes begin at 6 a.m. All roads are expected to be reopened by 5 p.m. on Thursday.
The 3-mile Woodward Avenue parade route will be closed, along with sections of Michigan, Fort Street and others.
For the full list of road closures and detour routes, visit theparade.org and detroitmi.gov.
A number of Detroit Department of Transportation buses will be rerouted during the closures. The Thanksgiving route maps can be found here.
Parking in Detroit on Thanksgiving
Parking is available along all three miles of the parade route, according to The Parade Co. In previous years, the Parade Co. recommended City of Detroit parking facilities.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Thanksgiving parade 2025: Start time, route map, how to watch
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
