Frequently Asked Questions

America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White 

 

When is the 2025 Parade?
The 99th America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White will take place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Detroit!!

 

What is the Parade route?
The Parade route is three miles of smiles along Woodward Avenue from Kirby to Congress!! The Parade steps-off at Kirby and Woodward at 8:45 a.m. It’s roughly an hour and a half march south, down to the Celebration Zone. The Parade officially ends at Congress and Woodward.

 

Is there a map of the route?
Yes! Click on the button below to view the map.

Parade Route Map

 

Where do I park? Are certain roads closed?
There is plenty of parking available for purchase along the three miles of The Parade route! All information is posted below (currently displaying 2025 info) and available on the City of Detroit website.

PARKING 
The Detroit Municipal Parking Department (MPD) recommends the following facilities.

Facility                                      
Ford Underground Garage (30 E. Jefferson Avenue) 

• Hours: Nov. 26, 2025 | 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Rate: $5 (1st 2 hours) | $10 (2-4 hours) | $15 (more than 4 hours)

 

• Hours: Nov. 27, 2025 | hourly rate
• Rate(s): $10 (5 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

 

• Hours: Nov. 28, 2025 | 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Rate: $10

 

• Hours: Nov. 29, 2025 | Closed

 

Eastern Market Garage (2727 Riopelle Street)

• Hours: Nov. 27, 2025 | 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Rate: $10

Normal business hours resume Monday, Dec 01

Parking During Extended Holiday
Residents and visitors can enjoy free metered street parking across the city on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 and Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, with parking enforcement suspended. Parking enforcement will occur on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.

Motorists should note that vehicles blocking driveways, crosswalks, fire hydrants or other critical access points or illegally parked will be ticketed and possibly towed.

Normal parking enforcement resumes on Monday, Dec 01.

Lost Children

Parents can find lost children at the Detroit Police Department Downtown Services, 20 Atwater, or by calling (313) 237-2850,

ROAD CLOSURES
Motorists traveling to downtown Detroit beginning Tuesday, Nov. 21 through the conclusion of the parade on Thursday, Nov. 23 should note the following road closures.

Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Beginning at 7 a.m., Gratiot between Farmer and Woodward will close 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.

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 DPM stations are close 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.

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.

Is The Parade free to attend?
Yes, thanks to our amazing sponsors, there is no cost to attend and watch The Parade!!

 

Where should I watch it from?
Much of the three-mile Parade Route is free and open to the public!!

 

Is there pre-paid, reserved seating?
Yes, grandstand tickets can be purchased in advance beginning in September 2025. Prices range from $60-$70 per person depending on the section. For additional information, please contact grandstands@theparade.org.

 

If I can’t attend in person, how can I watch The Parade?
The Parade is broadcast live on WDIV, Local 4, streamed live on www.clickondetroit.com and narrated live on WOMC!

The Parade is also syndicated across 185 markets nation-wide; the 2025 station list will be available the week of November 24, 2025.

 

Are there public restrooms available?
There will be port-a-potties along the Parade route. Please click on the button below to view the map.

Portable Restroom Map

 

How do I get involved in America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented Gardner White?

To volunteer, please visit our VOLUNTEER WITH US page to learn more!

To apply to participate in The Parade as a Marching Band, Equestrian Unit or Dance Group, please visit our Parade Info page or email cbarbb@theparade.org for an application. Applications are due back by August 01, 2025, for consideration.