Detroit Streets Will Close for Thanksgiving Parade Starting Tuesday

Closures start Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7 a.m. Gratiot between Farmer and Woodward shuts down first.

The parade launches at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27. Expect it to take around 90 minutes before reaching the Celebration Zone at Congress Street and Woodward Avenue. Balloons will drift overhead. Mascots will wave. Music groups will perform, and celebrities will pass through during the three-mile trek down Woodward, stretching from Kirby Street all the way to Congress Street.

Wednesday, Nov. 26 brings additional closures. At 9 a.m., Woodward between West Grand Boulevard and Warren goes dark. The Warren-to-Congress section follows at noon, while Griswold between Fort and Congress shuts at 6 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day means Woodward closes from West Grand Boulevard to Larned from 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. Several streets will shut at 5 a.m. but reopen around 10 a.m. once the Turkey Trot finishes. West Jefferson from the Lodge Freeway to Cabacier gets blocked. Fort Street from Trumbull to Woodward closes too, along with Congress from Shelby to Randolph.

The Turkey Trot races begin early. The 10k and mile races start at 7:30 a.m., while the 5k kicks off at 8:30 a.m. All roads should reopen by 5 p.m. Thursday.

WDIV-TV broadcasts the parade from 10 a.m. to noon, with pre-parade coverage at 6 a.m. More than 185 television markets across the country will receive a one-hour syndicated broadcast between 10-11 a.m.

Want to watch? Stand anywhere along Woodward Avenue for free. Grandstand tickets can be purchased through The Parade Co. until Monday, Nov. 24, or whenever they sell out.

DDOT buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Delays are expected starting at 6 a.m. Twelve bus routes face disruptions from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Routes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 16, 23, 31, 42, 52, and 67 are all affected.

The Detroit People Mover runs from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by Grand Circus Park Station between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. for free hot chocolate and hand warmers.