Thanksgiving morning in Canton, Michigan, looks a bit different than the bustling parade routes you might picture on TV. While giant balloons and marching bands are parade staples across America, this charming community takes a slightly quieter approach to Turkey Day traditions.
The Parade Situation
Canton doesn’t host a Thanksgiving Day parade of its own. But that doesn’t mean the holiday spirit is missing from this Wayne County town. Families here have plenty of ways to celebrate, from tuning into legendary national parades to lacing up their sneakers for a hometown tradition that brings the community together in a totally different way.
Watch the Best From Your Couch
Just because you’re staying local doesn’t mean you have to miss out on parade magic. The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on NBC and Peacock, bringing three and a half hours of spectacular entertainment straight to your living room. This year’s lineup features 34 massive balloons, 29 colorful floats, 11 marching bands, and celebrity performances that will have everyone from toddlers to grandparents glued to the screen.
If you want a more local flavor, Detroit’s America’s Thanksgiving Parade rolls down Woodward Avenue at 8:45 a.m., celebrating its 99th year with the theme “Thanksgiving is Better in Detroit!” This hometown favorite features Grand Marshals Mayor Mike Duggan and retired WDIV anchor Devin Scillian, plus celebrity guests like Emmy winner Sam Richardson and Detroit Lions legend Dexter Bussey. The parade wraps up around noon, giving you just enough time to finish those mashed potatoes.
Your Ultimate Viewing Setup
Make parade watching an event of its own. Settle everyone around the TV with breakfast treats like cinnamon rolls, or set up a DIY waffle bar. Kids love tracking their favorite balloon characters, so print out a checklist or create a bingo game with balloon names. Keep your phone charged for streaming on Peacock, especially if the kitchen action heats up and you need to catch the finale from another room.
Pro tip: Start streaming a few minutes early. Pre-parade coverage often includes interviews with performers and sneak peeks at the floats you’re about to see.
Run Before You Feast
Canton keeps Thanksgiving active with the 23rd Annual Canton Turkey Trot, happening Thursday, November 27, 2025. Choose between a 5K race or a 1-mile walk, both winding through the beautiful Heritage Park and Pheasant Run Golf Club. Registration stays open until 9 a.m. on race day, and the event benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. The 1-mile race starts at 9 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:30 a.m.
Behind the Balloons
Ever wonder what goes into those giant parade balloons? Creating a Thanksgiving parade takes 18 months of planning and more than 5,000 volunteers to pull off. Those famous Macy’s floats have to squeeze down to just 12.5 feet tall and 8 feet wide to fit through the Lincoln Tunnel on their way to Manhattan. That’s roughly the size of a city bus, which means engineers spend months designing floats that can transform from massive spectacles into tunnel-friendly packages.
Here’s a fun secret: most performers you see on parade floats aren’t actually singing live. They lip sync to studio recordings because trying to belt out a Broadway number on a moving float with a wireless microphone creates way too many technical headaches. The marching bands, though? They’re playing every note for real, rain or shine.
Canton may skip the parade route, but Thanksgiving here is packed with heart, from running for a cause to gathering around screens showing America’s biggest celebrations. Whether you’re cheering on giant balloon characters or crossing your own finish line, this town knows how to make Turkey Day memorable.
Sources: nbcuniversal.com, theparade.org, cantonmi.gov
Header Image Source: ny1.com
