City of Detroit Announces Street Closures, Bus Reroutes and Parking for America's Thanksgiving Parade, Turkey Trot and Lions Game Nov. 23

2023

Individuals attending the America’s Thanksgiving Parade, Turkey Trot and the Detroit Lions game on Thursday, Nov. 23 should make note of street closures, bus reroutes and suggested parking, as tens of thousands flock to downtown Detroit.  Some street closures will begin as early as Tuesday, Nov. 21.

The City of Detroit also issued a reminder to parade watchers that the building of scaffolds and any device without a City permit is prohibited during Thanksgiving events in downtown Detroit on private or public property.  Violators will receive tickets, and the scaffolds will be removed. 

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 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 

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                                                                                                 The Detroit People Mover will be free on Thanksgiving and operate from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. All 13 stations are open, with two stations closest for parade viewing on Woodward Ave. (Broadway, Grand Circus Park) and the grandstands near Campus Martius (Cadillac Center). Riders going to the Lions game can continue the holiday fun by riding the People Mover to Broadway Station for a short walk to/from Ford Field as the most convenient way to travel around downtown without moving their cars and paying for additional parking. Fare is $.75 and children ages 5 and under are free.   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. 23. 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. 23 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. 23 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.   

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

Facility                                       Hours                                          Rate Ford Underground Garage       Nov. 22 - 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.               $ 5 (1st 2 hours) 30 E. Jefferson Avenue                                                                          $10 (2-4 hours)       

                                                                                                                     $15 (more than 4 hours)                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                          Nov. 23 - 5 a.m. - 7 p.m.                $10                                                           Nov. 24 - 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.               $ 5 (1st 2 hours) 

                                                                                                                     $10 (2-4 hours)

                                                                                                                     $15 (more than 4 hours)

 

                                                          Nov. 25 - Closed                                                           Nov. 26 - 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.               $ 5 (1st 2 hours) 

                                                                                                                    $10 (2-4 hours)   

                                                                                                                    $15 (more than 4 hours)                                                                            

                                                                                                              Eastern Market Garage              Nov. 23 - 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.                $ 10 2727 Riopelle Street                        

Normal business hours resume Monday, Nov. 27. 

Parking During Extended Holiday Residents and visitors can enjoy free metered street parking across the city on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24, with parking enforcement suspended. Parking enforcement will occur on Saturday, Nov. 25. 

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, Nov. 27.  

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