Turkey Day
From performances to floats and even road closures, here are all the details Houstonians should know.
ByUvie BikomoNovember 20, 2023
Making yet another post-COVID comeback, Houston’s annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Parade will be returning for its 74th anniversary and is gearing up to be bigger than ever. This year, the festivities will be led by mayor Sylvester Turner. He will be accompanied by two local sports legends and lead a trail of floats, high-flying balloons, marching bands, dancers, and more down a 20-block route downtown.
In a press release from his communications office, Mayor Turner expressed his excitement to kick off the holiday season with a beloved Houston tradition.
“For the past eight years I have enjoyed the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day parade as mayor of this extraordinary, vibrant, city,” the statement read. “The parade is symbolic of our resilience as a city, and we have highlighted the most incredible talent, floats, and marching bands in the history of the parade and have taken it to a new level of excellence.”
Here is what you can look forward to in this year’s Thanksgiving parade.
When is the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The family-friendly parade will take place Thursday, November 23, at 9 a.m.
Who is the Grand Marshal?
This year, outgoing mayor Sylvester Turner will be leading the parade as the ceremony’s grand marshal. Joining him as co-marshals will be former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich and Hall of Fame player Calvin Murphy.
Who will host the parade?
Deborah Duncan of Great Day Houston and KHOU 11 anchor Ron Treviño will emcee the festivities.
Who will perform?
There will be a performance from Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) production of Cinderella, which begins its run in December. The Apache Belles, who have performed at the parade for 27 years, will also be putting on a show. Other performers include the Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul marching band, the Bellville High School Brahmadoras drill team, and more.
What else can we expect?
The parade brings 14 high-flying balloons plus a whopping 19 unique floats, with special appearances by Santa Claus and Tom Turkey. This year, several new floats have been added to the parade, including a Barbie-themed one. Marching bands, drill, and dance teams from all over the state will accompany the procession.
What time should I arrive?
The parade route will be closed off at 8 a.m. If you plan on using any of the streets before they get closed off, it would be best to arrive early.
What is the parade route?
The festivities will begin on Smith Street by Lamar Street, make its way up to Walker Street, then Milam Street. It will then go down to Pease Street and to Louisiana Street. Next, it will go up to Clay Street before returning to Smith Street and ending by Dallas Street. For a visual representation of the route map, check the parade website.
How much does it cost?
The H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is free and open to the public. Premium seats located on Smith Street by McKinney Street are available, but tickets are limited. Tickets can be purchased at the parade’s official website for $28.25 each.
Can I volunteer?
If you’d like to engage in the parade as more than just an onlooker, the organizers are accepting volunteers on a limited basis. Visit the City of Houston’s website for more information on how you can help out.
How can I watch the parade?
On the day of the parade, there will be ample curbside space along the route for lawn chairs and blankets. However, if you need to stay home and keep an eye on your turkey, the parade will be broadcast live on KHOU 11.
Will there be any street closures?
Various streets in the parade vicinity will be closed all week leading up to the parade date. Notably, Smith Street between Walker and Lamar streets will be closed from 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22; and Louisiana Street between Dallas and Lamar streets will be closed from Wednesday at 11 a.m. to Thursday at 5 p.m. Check the website for a full list of all the closures that will be happening in the parade area during Thanksgiving week. Please note that these times may be subject to change.
What about parking?
Easy access parking will be available along the parade route, and Metro buses will operate on a holiday schedule. For more information on the bus schedule, visit Metro’s website.
Filed under
Thanksgiving, Parades, Downtown
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