Detroit's Big Week: Thanksgiving Traditions Kick Off Holidays with Football, Concerts, and City-Wide Cheer
DETROIT — 11/23/2025
The last week of November 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest of the year, as Detroit and the surrounding Metro area usher in the official holiday season. From world-famous parades and Thanksgiving football to major arena concerts and dazzling light displays, the region is packed with opportunities for celebration, community, and entertainment between November 24th and 28th.
The Heart of Tradition on Thanksgiving Day
The Motor City’s most cherished traditions anchor the week on Thursday, November 27th. The day begins with the Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot running through downtown streets, immediately followed by the spectacle of America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White down Woodward Avenue.
The afternoon’s main event is the annual Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving Day Classic at Ford Field, kicking off at 1:00 PM. The game will feature a high-profile halftime performance by the legendary Detroit native, Jack White.
Live Music and City Entertainment
Little Caesars Arena is a hub of activity this week, hosting both major concerts and sporting events. On Tuesday, November 25th, pop rock giants Maroon 5 take the stage for their “LOVE IS LIKE” Tour, featuring special guest Claire Rosinkranz.
For R&B fans, Leon Thomas brings his “Mutts Don’t Heel” Tour to The Fillmore Detroit on Friday, November 28th. That same night, comedian Gary Owen offers laughs at the Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel. Smaller, but equally exciting shows include the Shoresy Fall Classic (a live, hockey-themed show) on Monday, November 24th at Little Caesars Arena, and rock tours like Senses Fail & Story of the Year at Saint Andrew's Hall on Tuesday, November 25th.
A Week of Sports and Arts
Beyond the Thanksgiving game, Detroit sports fans have plenty to watch. The Detroit Red Wings hit the ice twice at Little Caesars Arena: Wednesday, November 26th against the Nashville Predators, and a Black Friday afternoon tilt on Friday, November 28th against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Detroit Pistons also play on Friday night against the Orlando Magic. Additionally, Ford Field hosts the Michigan High School Football Championships - MHSAA Finals all day on Black Friday.
Culture lovers can head to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) on Friday evening for Friday Night Live! River Raisin Rag Revue and the popular CatVideoFest 2025 screening at the Detroit Film Theatre. The DIA also offers creative drop-in workshops like Mixed Media Pet Portraits and Rivera Court drawing sessions.
Lighting Up Metro Detroit
Outside the city center, the holiday lights are already shining bright. The spectacular Detroit Aglow presented by Amazon lighting event takes place on Monday, November 24th at the MGM Grand Detroit. Meanwhile, families can enjoy the ongoing seasonal displays: Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, the drive-through Wayne County Lightfest in Westland, and the Big Bright Light Show transforming Downtown Rochester nightly.
The long weekend brings more activity to the suburbs, including the Blake's Holiday Extravaganza in Armada on Friday, and the start of the Winter Wonder Lights holiday tour at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills. Shoppers can also take advantage of the Andiamo Italia Black Friday Gift Card Offer across Metro Detroit locations.
Event Summary Table: November 24–28, 2025
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Local Detroit Area Events | ||
| Mon, Nov 24, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Detroit Aglow presented by Amazon (Annual civic/holiday lighting event) | MGM Grand Detroit, Detroit, MI |
| Mon, Nov 24, 7:00 PM | Shoresy Fall Classic (Live show featuring Shoresy cast) | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Mon, Nov 24 (Ongoing) | Candyland! (Holiday light installation) | Beacon Park, Detroit, MI |
| Tue, Nov 25, 6:30 PM | Senses Fail & Story of the Year: The Scream Team Tour | Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, MI |
| Tue, Nov 25, 7:00 PM | Motor City Cruise vs. Wisconsin Herd (NBA G League Basketball) | Wayne State Fieldhouse, Detroit, MI |
| Tue, Nov 25, 8:00 PM | Maroon 5 — “LOVE IS LIKE” Tour | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Wed, Nov 26, 7:00 PM | Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators (NHL Hockey) | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Thu, Nov 27, Morning | Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot (Race) | Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI |
| Thu, Nov 27, Morning/Daytime | America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White | Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI |
| Thu, Nov 27, 1:00 PM | Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (NFL Football) | Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
| Thu, Nov 27, Halftime | Jack White Halftime Show Performance | Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, All Day | Michigan High School Football Championships - MHSAA Finals | Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 12:00 PM | Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL Hockey) | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Mixed Media Pet Portraits (Art Making Drop-In Workshop) | Detroit Institute of Arts Museum (DIA), Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Rivera Court (Drawing in the Galleries Workshop) | Detroit Institute of Arts Museum (DIA), Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 7:00 PM | Friday Night Live! River Raisin Rag Revue (Performance) | Detroit Institute of Arts Museum (DIA), Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 7:00 PM | CatVideoFest 2025 (Film Screening) | Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) at the DIA, Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 7:00 PM | Leon Thomas — “Mutts Don’t Heel” Tour (R&B Concert) | The Fillmore Detroit, Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 7:30 PM | Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic (NBA Basketball) | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 8:00 PM | Gary Owen (Comedy Show) | Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, Detroit, MI |
| Metro Detroit Events | ||
| Mon, Nov 24 (Ongoing) | Big Bright Light Show (Downtown lights display) | Downtown Rochester, MI |
| Mon, Nov 24 (Ongoing) | Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo (Nightly light displays - check specific times) | Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, MI |
| Mon, Nov 24 (Ongoing) | Magic of Lights — Drive-through holiday light experience | Pine Knob / local Magic of Lights site |
| Mon, Nov 24 (Ongoing) | Wayne County Lightfest (Drive-through light display) | Hines Park, Westland, MI |
| Mon, Nov 24, Morning | Wild Lights — (Example: Aviary Birds Enrichment Program) | Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, MI |
| Tue, Nov 25, 7:00 PM | Portugal. The Man (Concert) | Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28 (Ongoing) | Winter Wonder Lights (Holiday grounds tour) | Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester Hills, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28 (Ongoing) | RO Holidays 2025 – Thrill Weekend (Zipline, Santa visits, activities) | Downtown Royal Oak, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Blake's Holiday Extravaganza (Santa visits, hayrides, crafts) | Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill, Armada, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Thanksgiving Hike & Seek (Guided nature hike) | Heritage Park Nature Center, Farmington Hills, MI |
| Fri, Nov 28 (Black Friday Special) | Andiamo Italia Gift Card Offer (Purchase $100 Gift Card, Receive $25 Bonus Card) | Various Andiamo locations, Metro Detroit |