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The holiday of Thanksgiving Day is celebrated grandly in Detroit.
The city and the Detroit Lions receive national attention on one of the rare days in a year.
The Buffalo Bills will be hosted by the Lions in addition to America’s Thanksgiving Parade and a morning Turkey Trot, which will both be held in downtown Detroit.
If you anticipate being a part of the day’s festivities downtown, it is crucial to plan ahead due to the high level of activity.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills Thanksgiving Game
This year, the Detroit Lions are set to host their 83rd annual Thanksgiving Day NFL game.
The Buffalo Bills, a Super Bowl contender, are warmly welcomed to Ford Field by the Lions.
The contest is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on CBS.
To avoid delays, it is recommended to arrive at Ford Field approximately two hours before kickoff. The Lions advise that if you arrive within 30 minutes of kickoff, you should anticipate missing the beginning of the game.
Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Bebe Rehxa will take the stage during halftime of Thursday’s game for a special performance. Accompanying her will be DJ David Guetta.
Verizon and the Detroit Lions have teamed up to create an activation space within Ford Field. Together, they aim to elevate fans’ halftime show experience by incorporating a mesmerizing mobile lightshow.
Naturally, the game serves as the central attraction amidst a day bustling with various activities in the city.
Detroit Turkey Trot
The annual Turkey Trot will take place in Detroit before the game and America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Over the course of nearly four decades, a series of races spanning 10K, 5K, and 1 mile will be organized, with participants traversing the downtown streets.
The 10K and mile races are scheduled to commence at 7:30 a.m., whereas the 5K race will start at 8:30 a.m.
America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit
One of the oldest parade events in the country is America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
The parade is scheduled to travel along Woodward Avenue, commencing at 9 a.m. from the intersection of Woodward and Kirby, and concluding at Woodward and Congress. The parade is expected to continue until noon.
Admission to the parade is complimentary for the general public, except for those interested in acquiring grandstand tickets.
If you are unable to attend the event, you can watch it live on WDIV Local 4 beginning at 10 a.m. Additionally, from 10 a.m. to noon, you can tune in to 104.3 WOMC to listen to the broadcast.
Parking in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day
For those who plan to attend the Lions game only, the Lions suggest using the Ford Field Parking Deck. This parking facility is conveniently situated on the East end, right next to the stadium. Moreover, it offers a skywalk for easy access to the stadium without having to step outdoors.
In addition to that, the stadium is also surrounded by Lots 4, 5, and 6.
Ford Field is situated within close proximity to various other facilities such as the Lions/Tigers Garage, The ‘D’ Garage, and The Fox Garage, all of which can be easily reached on foot.
Additionally, a variety of public parking lots are easily accessible from that location, offering different pricing options. Moreover, two out of three retail casinos in Detroit, namely Hollywood Casino at Greektown and the MGM Grand Detroit, are conveniently located within walking distance.
When considering attending America’s Thanksgiving Parade, take into account the following parking garages.
- The Z Garage
- One Campus Martius Garage
- Bricktown Garage
- Financial District Garage
- 1001 Woodward Garage
- Buhl Garage
- One Detroit Garage
- Two Detroit Garage
- Huntington Place Roof Deck
- Huntington Place Garage
- Millennium Garage
Before heading to Detroit, you can use mobile apps such as Parking.com, SpotHero, and ParkWhiz to reserve a space in advance.
Detroit road closures on Thanksgiving Day
Road closures in downtown Detroit will be occurring on November 23rd and 24th due to the Thanksgiving Day events.
To reach Ford Field or certain garages, it may be necessary to take different routes than the ones usually recommended.
November 23
- Woodward Avenue, stretching from Grand Boulevard to Warren Avenue, at 9 a.m.
- At noon, there will be a rolling road closure on Woodward Ave. from Warren Ave. South to Larned St.
November 24
- Woodward Ave. from Grand Blvd. to Jefferson will be fully closed starting at 5 a.m.
- The Southbound exit of US 10 (Lodge Freeway) at Larned is available at 7 a.m.
- Beginning at 7 a.m., there will be a complete closure of Griswald, spanning from Grand River to Jefferson.
- Congress will be fully closed from Beaubein to Washington Blvd starting at 9 a.m.
- Larned from Beaubein to Washington Blvd will be fully closed starting at 9 a.m.
Tailgating on Thanksgiving Day
Traditional tailgating is not allowed in parking facilities next to Ford Field, unless stated otherwise.
- What that includes is:
- Grilling or cooking of any sort is prohibited.
- Trailers and oversized vehicles are not permitted.
- Each vehicle is required to occupy a single space.
- No tents
- No unruly conduct
If you’re interested in tailgating, you can find the Eastern Market just a 10-minute walk away from the stadium, where tailgating is permitted. Additionally, they offer a shuttle service to the stadium. You can purchase tailgating passes for $40 either online or at the market’s office on game day.
On Thanksgiving Day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hollywood Casino at Greektown is hosting a tailgating event at Detroit Music Hall. Patrons can enjoy live music, food trucks, and have the chance to win autographed sports memorabilia. Best of all, admission to the tailgate is free.
The images used in this illustration are sourced from Associated Press and Shutterstock.com.
