How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Detroit-style

Modified: November 03, 2022 | Story by Michelle Fusco | Photos by Bill Bowen

Detroiters have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

Here’s how we celebrate a tradition-filled Thanksgiving in The D.

Work Up an Appetite

More than 20,000 runners – thousands dressed in costumes – brave cool morning temperatures to race through the streets of downtown at the annual Turkey Trot, the nation’s largest Thanksgiving morning run. It’s a fun way to rev up your metabolism before sitting down for your holiday meal.

I Love a Parade

America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White is one of the largest and most spectacular parades in the United States – a tradition that dates back to 1924. Watch colorful balloons, floats, and marching bands parade down Woodward Avenue starting at 8:50 a.m. View the live broadcast from home on WDIV Local 4.

America's Thanksgiving Parade

Football Traditions

Detroit Lions football and Thanksgiving go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. The Lions take on the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field, with a 12:30 p.m. kick-off. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.

Crowd at a Detroit Lions game

A D-licious Feast

For many people, eating a big turkey dinner with their family is the highlight of the holiday. Many Detroiters choose Peacock’s Poultry Farm in Troy for their Thanksgiving bird. The third-generation, the family-owned business sells fresh Amish turkeys, raised without any chemicals or preservatives. Note: Closed Sundays and Mondays.

For dessert, pick up an old-fashioned pie at the acclaimed Achatz Handmade Pie Co., with six metro Detroit locations. Hint: Try the Four Berry! Sister Pie in Detroit offers nontraditional, seasonally inspired flavor combinations, such as salted maple or pumpkin chocolate chip. And for all things sweet potato, including pie, cheesecake, cookies, and cobblers, visit Sweet Potato Sensations.

Slices of various pies

Pies from Pie Mania, Sister Pie and Rock City by Bill Bowen

Dining in the 313

If cooking isn’t your thing, several metro Detroit eateries stand ready to feed your crew. Assembly Line, the all-you-can-eat buffet at MotorCity Casino, will include all the typical Thanksgiving fixings and much more. You can also check out Detroit favorites like the  Caucus Club, Texas de Brazil, Seasons 52, Steve & Rocky’s, Fishbone’s, and more!

Caucus Club pasta

Black Friday

Set your alarm clocks! Plenty of day-after-Thanksgiving shopping deals are available at retailers throughout metro Detroit. You can find deals at shopping malls all across the region.

Somerset Mall in Troy, Oakland tourist attractions

Was this article helpful?

Yes No
Mentioned Attractions And Venues





  1. 1
    The Parade Company
    9500 Mt. Elliott St., Studio A, Detroit, MI 48211
    313-923-7400
  2. 2
    Detroit Lions
    2000 Brush St., Ford Field, Detroit, MI 48226
    313-262-2222
  3. 3
    Ford Field
    2000 Brush St., Detroit, MI 48226
    313-262-2000
  4. 4
    MotorCity Casino
    2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
    313-237-7711
  5. 5
    Apparatus Room
    250 W. Larned St., Detroit, MI 48226
    313-800-5600
  6. 6
    Royal Oak Music Theatre
    318 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, MI 48067
    248-399-2980
  7. 7
    Caucus Club
    150 W Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
    313-965-4970