Thanksgiving is always a big day in Detroit, and this year is no exception. Whether you're getting a run in early in the morning, watching the parade, or cheering on our Lions, here's what you need to know if you're heading downtown. 

Events:

Turkey Trot: 10K and One Mile start at 7:30 a.m.; 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. The races start on Griswold and end at Huntington Place. Both the 5K and 10K run up Woodward, with the 10K going up to Kirby.

The 2023 America's Thanksgiving Day Parade: This year's parade will have 27 floats, six balloons, and 11 marching bands. It starts at 8:45 a.m. at Woodward and Kirby and rolls down Woodward. It will be broadcast across the country and locally on WDIV Local 4.

Lions/Packers: Our 8-2 Detroit Lions play the Green Bay Packers right after the parade. Kick-off is at 12:30 p.m. at Ford Field. 

Transit:

Several bus lines will be rerouted due to road closures downtown. Check the DDOT site to see if you're route is affected. 

The Qline will not be running Wednesday or Thursday. The People Mover will be free to ride on Thanksgiving Day and all stops will be open.

Road Closures:

According to the city, here are the road closures by day:

Tuesday, November 21
Beginning at 7 a.m., Gratiot between Farmer and Woodward will close for WDIV TV setup.

Wednesday, November 22
Woodward between W. Grand Blvd and Warren to close at 9 a.m. Woodward from Warren to Congress to close at noon. 

Atwater between Civic Center Drive and Third to close at 3 p.m. 

Griswold between Fort and Congress to close at 6 p.m. 

Thursday, November 23
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. 23 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 

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 Turkey Trot. The Larned exit will reopen after the Turkey Trot ends.  

Parking:

The city recommends the Ford Underground Garage on Jefferson or the Eastern Market Garage on Riopelle. Various garages will be open across downtown and the surrounding areas.