As Thanksgiving draws near, families across the country are gearing up for food, gatherings, and—of course—an entire day packed with NFL action. Few holidays are as rooted in tradition as this one, and for fans in Michigan, the routine rarely changes: football is the centerpiece.
This year’s holiday lineup features three nationally broadcast games, giving six fanbases something special to look forward to. Only half of them get the chance to see their teams live, and afterward, the players who shine brightest get to take home the holiday’s signature reward—a turkey leg.
The franchises that host these annual Thanksgiving matchups always turn the event into a full-scale production, often bringing in notable artists for the national anthem or halftime entertainment. The Detroit Lions, long known for embracing the city’s deep musical heritage, consistently deliver high-quality performances for their holiday showcase.
The Lions kick off this season’s Thanksgiving tripleheader with a home matchup against the Green Bay Packers at 1 p.m. As part of the festivities, the team confirmed that this year’s anthem singer and halftime performer would both be homegrown Detroit talent.
Given Detroit’s reputation as one of America’s musical capitals, the organization rarely struggles to find big-name talent. For 2025, they’ve secured an especially impressive act: a celebrated artist with 17 Grammy Awards to her name.
Adding major star power to the pregame ceremony, gospel legend and Detroit native CeCe Winans has been chosen to perform The Star-Spangled Banner. Winans will take the stage at Ford Field on Thursday, November 27, delivering the national anthem before the Lions and Packers officially get Thanksgiving football underway.
