The parade featured the traditional balloons and floats, and Santa Claus on a Christmas-themed float brought up the rear.

DETROIT – The 98th America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White returns to Downtown Detroit on Nov. 28! The parade is held on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28, 2024.

The annual parade, the Turkey Trot, and the Detroit Lions are all adding to the fun of Thanksgiving in the Motor City. Here's how to plan ahead:

The parade broadcast starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. The parade is also syndicated across 185 markets nation-wide

The Detroit parade is the second largest behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York in terms of its viewership and the number of people going to see it in person — an estimated 1 million in Detroit last year, Michaels said. “We want to get Detroit on this big national map, and we’ve worked very hard to do that," he said.

Located at the Daxton Hotel in Birmingham, Madam’s Thanksgiving grand buffet offers seatings from 2-8 p.m. Buffet features roasted turkey plus glazed ham, cedar baked salmon, seafood towers, salads, sides and desserts. $75 per adult; $35 ages 3-10; under 3 are free. For info and ordering: daxtonhotel.com

We were downtown for the start of America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. We talked with some first timers hoping to start new family traditions, and some seasoned parade veterans who all say this is the best way to start their Thanksgiving.