Thanksgiving Day is almost here, and there’s more on the table than just the turkey!

From the holiday weather and busy travel plans to the festive fun of the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.

Whether you’re hitting the road or curling up with a plate of leftovers-in-progress, this guide will help you stay ahead of the holiday hustle.

AAA says that a majority of travelers will be driving to see loved ones this Thanksgiving. NBC10’s Shaira Arias talked to families passing through New Jersey about how their trips are going. 

Best time to travel for Thanksgiving in the Philadelphia region?

According to AAA, nearly one million Philadelphia-area residents will travel for Thanksgiving.

To avoid holiday chaos, officials urge travelers to be patient, plan ahead, and be prepared for traffic, delays, or cancellations.

Driving is reported to be the most popular way for people in the region to get to their destinations. AAA said gas prices are similar to last Thanksgiving, perhaps even lower as the holiday approaches.

If you plan to fly to your destination, officials encourage travelers to arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before their flight, as security lines may be long.

Taking the train? Amtrak officials said the company is prepared to accommodate additional travelers during the busy holiday season. The national rail operator is adding cars to some Northeast Regional trains and increasing trip frequencies on the Northeast Corridor.

Traveling home for the holidays? Airports, roads, and train stations will be bustling next week with people trying to get to Thanksgiving dinner. And this year, a growing number of Americans are ditching the plane and rolling into the holidays by train. Many travelers say concerns over possible flight delays and cancellations are leading people to switch their plans. NBC10’s Aaron Baskerville reports.

AAA said these are the best/worst times to travel:

Tuesday, Nov 2512:00 PM – 9:00 PMBefore 12:00 PMWednesday, Nov 2611:00 AM – 8:00 PMBefore 11:00 AMThursday, Nov 27Minimal Traffic Impact Expected Friday, Nov 281:00 PM – 7:00 PMBefore 11:00 AMSaturday, Nov 291:00 PM – 8:00 PMBefore 10:00 AMSunday, Nov 3011:00 AM – 8:00 PMBefore 11:00 AMMonday, Dec 112:00 PM – 8:00 PMAfter 8:00 PMCredit: AAA

Road closures, SEPTA detours for Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The City of Philadelphia is set to host the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade this Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to Noon.

The parade will kick off the holiday season as soon as it marches through Center City and up the Ben Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Art Museum.

The event is free and open to the public, featuring performances and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Special guests include: Sam Champion; Four Tops; David Archuleta; Gabby Samone; Jordan Sparks, Cameo; Asher Havon; Quad City DJ’s, Carson Kressley and more.     

Parade Route

• Starts at 20th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard 
• Eastbound on John F. Kennedy Boulevard to 16th Street 
• Northbound on 16th Street to Benjamin Franklin Parkway 
• Westbound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway (inner lanes only) to Eakins Oval 
• Around Eakins Oval to Kelly Drive 
• Parade disperses via Kelly Drive and Spring Garden Extension 

Road Closures

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 
• 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Eakins Oval between Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive closed for street rehearsals. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Eakins Oval between Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive closed for street rehearsals. 
• 4 p.m. – Innerlanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 21st Street to 20th Street, closed for site build until the conclusion of the parade on Thursday, November 27. 
• 6:30 p.m. – Eakins Oval closed for rehearsals and site build until the conclusion of the parade on Thursday, November 27. 
• 7 p.m. – Inbound lanes of John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from 20th Street to 30th Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic until the conclusion of the parade on Thursday, November 27. 
• 8 p.m. – Outbound lanes of John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from 20th Street to 30th Street Station, will be closed to vehicular traffic until the conclusion of the parade on Thursday, November 27. 

Thursday, November 27, 2025 
• 12 a.m. – JFK Boulevard, from 30th Street to 16th Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of the parade.  
• 2 a.m. – 20th Street, from Ben Franklin Parkway to Race Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic until 11 a.m. 
• 2 a.m. – Market Street, from 19th Street to 20th Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of the parade. 
• 5 a.m. – 20th Street from JFK Boulevard to Arch Street will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of the parade. 
• 6 a.m. – 20th Street, from Market Street to Ben Franklin Parkway, will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of the parade. 
• 6 a.m. – Market Street, from 19th Street to 22nd Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of the parade. 
• 7 a.m. – Kelly Drive, from Sedgley Drive to Eakins Oval, will be closed to vehicular traffic until the end of the parade. 
• 7:30 a.m. – Parade route closed to vehicular traffic. 

City officials said roads will be opened as they are serviced and cleaned. All event-related road closures will be lifted no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Parking Restrictions 

According to city officials, “Temporary No Parking” signs will be posted in connection with the closures listed above beginning on Wednesday, November 26, at 6 p.m.

A detailed list of those streets is below. Officials said vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated.

• JFK Blvd. from 19th Street to 30th Street (both sides) 
• 20th Street from Market Street to Ben Franklin Parkway (both sides) 
• Arch street from 19th Street and 22nd Street (both sides) 
• Race Street from 16th Street and 17th Street (both sides) 
• 17th Street from Vine Street to Race Street (both sides) 
• Vine Street from 15th Street to 17th Street (eastbound lanes) 
• Market Street from 19th Street to 22nd Street (both sides) 
• Paschall Avenue from 62nd Street to 63rd Street (both sides) 

If your vehicle is relocated, you are urged to call the police district where your car was parked. 

SEPTA Detours and Changes

SEPTA will be operating on a Sunday Schedule throughout Thanksgiving Day. Bus detour information and updates or changes to service will be published on SEPTA’s System Status page.

Below is a summary of SEPTA detours for the Thanksgiving Day Parade:

SEPTA Bus Routes 2, 7, 17, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43, 44, 48, 49, 124, and 125, and L1 OWL will be detoured from their normal routes beginning at 2 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, through approximately 5 p.m. 

Detours will be posted, and specific route changes are available on the System Status Page at septa.org. 

What’s the Thanksgiving week weather forecast for the region?

Late Wednesday, a cold front is set to swing through, clearing out the wet weather and bringing blustery and cold conditions for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday for the Eagles.

Thursday afternoon reaches 44°, feeling like the 30s during the day.

Gusting winds continue Friday, with a high of 43° and a feel like of 33°. If you are headed out to do some Black Friday shopping, you are advised to bundle up.

The winter preview continues Saturday with much less wind, lots of sunshine, and a high of just 42°. Clouds return with a chance of rain showers later Sunday, with a high of 46°

NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Bill Henley says to expect cloudy skies throughout the day on Tuesday that will lead to some rain this evening into Wednesday.