Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023 – Start time, Route, Map, Tickets & More

Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023

Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023

The most anticipated 74th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is coming your way on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at 9 am!

This annual parade, one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parades in the country, is a proud tradition that Houstonians showcase each year. The Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023 promises to be a spectacular event.

Expect several hundred thousand Houstonians to line the streets to cheer on participants as elaborate floats, colorful marching bands, high-flying balloons, and other unique float entries join the H-E-B Houston Parade.


Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, all information presented is subject to change. Please confirm with the organizers/businesses before you make plans to head out! 
 

Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023 – Participants

Houston Thanksgiving Events 2023

Image credit: City of Houston

This year, many nationally notable Houstonians, Santa Claus, marching bands, NEW floats, towering inflatables, community groups, and more will be participating in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade Houston.

For the final parade in his administration, Mayor Sylvester Turner will be leading the parade as its grand marshall. Mayor Turner will be joined by his co-marshalls Rockets legends, former championship coach Rudy Tomjanovich, and Hall of Fame player, Calvin Murphy.

Calvin Murphy used to play for the NBA Houston Rockets and was a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the first Hall of Famer to play with the Rockets for his entire career. Following his retirement, he continues to work with the Rockets as an assistant coach, community services advisor, and broadcaster.

Rudy Tomjanovich was also a member of the Houston Rockets his whole career. He was also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Following his retirement, he spent days as an assistant coach and then as the head coach of the Houston Rockets. He led the team to two consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Now, Tomjanovich is a player personal consultant for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Here’s a list of other key participants:

  • Theatre Under the Stars featuring Cinderella
  • TSU Ocean of Soul
  • 2xclusive Performing Arts & Crocket Elementary
  • Adams Davy ASX
  • Apache Belles
  • Arabia Shriners Hot Rod Unit
  • H-E-B Cart
  • Escaramuza

For a complete list of who you can see during the Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023, check here.


Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023 – Route, Map

Houston Thanksgiving Events 2023

Image credit: City of Houston

According to Houston stories, when Santa landed at Union Station in 1949 and drove his sleigh to downtown Houston’s Foley’s department store, the city’s first-ever Thanksgiving Day Parade Houston happened.

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events now puts on the yearly HEB Thanksgiving Parade. It will start on Smith at Lamar, travel north to Walker, east to Milam, south to Pease, west to Louisiana, north to Clay, west to Smith, and north to end at Smith and Dallas.


Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023 – Start time, Reservations, and More!

Houston Thanksgiving Events 2023

HEB Parade | Image credit: City of Houston

The public is welcome to attend the 74th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade for FREE. If you wish to avail of premium, seated admission, you can purchase tickets online!

Seating opens at 7 am. Organizers insist visitors must be seated by 8:15 am. Purchased tickets allow buyers to sit anywhere in the selected section.

Regardless, there will be plenty of curbside space along the route where you can set up your lawn chairs and blankets. Along the route, parking is conveniently located, and Metro buses will operate on a holiday schedule.

When: Thursday, November 23, 2023, at 9 am
Where: 
Heart of downtown Houston
How Much: 
$28.25 for seating area admission (w/ fees)

As the Houston Thanksgiving Parade 2023 approaches, excitement builds for what is sure to be a vibrant and memorable celebration. The H-E-B Thanksgiving Parade Houston promises to bring together the community in a display of color, music, and festivities, reflecting the city’s rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this historic event, the Thanksgiving Day Parade Houston, a highlight of the city’s annual celebrations. Mark your calendars and join us in downtown Houston for an unforgettable experience!


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HEB Thanksgiving Parade Houston 2024

thanksgiving parade houston

Thanksgiving Parade Houston | Image Credit: City of Houston

The Annual H-E-B Houston Thanksgiving Parade in Houston is one of the most anticipated Thanksgiving Day events in Houston. It usually takes place during the actual Thanksgiving Day date and is when people get to see gorgeous floats, marching bands, live entertainment, and more!

This event is one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parades in the country. Each year, several hundred thousand Houstonians line the streets to cheer on participants as they showcase elaborate floats, colorful marching bands, high-flying balloons, and other uniquely Houston entries.

Thanksgiving Parade Houston History

Thanksgiving Parade Houston History

Image Credit: City of Houston

Although it has had a few name changes over the years, Houston has hosted the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade every Thanksgiving for many years. According to Houston stories, it was when Santa landed at Union Station in 1949 and drove his sleigh to downtown Houston’s Foley’s department store, that the city’s first-ever Thanksgiving Day Parade happened.

Currently, the parade has grown into a sizable event with enormous, sky-high balloons, marching bands, dance teams, and spectacular floats honoring both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thanksgiving Parade Houston Highlights

Thanksgiving Parade Houston Highlights

Image Credit: City of Houston

The usual attendees of the Thanksgiving parade include the Houston Mayor, many nationally notable Houstonians, Santa Claus, marching bands, NEW floats, towering inflatables, community groups, and more!

There is also a selected Grand Marshal each year. The Grand Marshal is a special guest of honor, chosen to lead the parade, and engage guests, and is usually someone with significant contribution to the community.

The parade also features elaborate floats, colorful marching bands, high-flying balloons, and other unique float entries from the different organizations and community groups of Houston.

Usual key participants of the parade include the following:

  • Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band
  • Waltrip HS Roaring Red Ram Band
  • Apache Belles
  • Astros Shooting Stars
  • Bellville Brahmadoras
  • Escaramuza
  • Harris County Precint
  • H-E-B Cart
  • Holly the Jolly Trolly
  • HPD Mounted Patrol
  • Houston Fire Department
  • Houston Public Library
  • Rising Stars Academy
  • Santa and Mrs. Claus
  • Westbury HS Marching Band & Blue Diamonds Drill Team

What time is the Thanksgiving Day Parade?

HEB Thanksgiving Parade Houston - Premium Paid Seating

HEB Thanksgiving Parade Houston – Premium Paid Seating

The Thanksgiving Parade Houston program usually starts at 9 am. However, those that avail of premium, seated admission are always highly encouraged to get to their selected seated section earlier, usually around 7 am. This is to help everyone settle in their seats before the actual program starts.

Thanksgiving Parade Route, Tickets and Parking

Thanksgiving Parade Route, Tickets and Parking

Image Credit: City of Houston

The public is welcome to attend the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade for FREE. If you wish to avail the premium, seated admission, you can purchase tickets online, via the City of Houston official website.

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events now puts on the yearly parade. It usually starts on Smith at Lamar, travels north to Walker, east to Milam, south to Pease, west to Louisiana, north to Clay, west to Smith, and north to end at Smith and Dallas.

The city anticipates that the procession draws several hundred thousand Houstonians to the region, thus parking is often a challenge. Along the parade route, there will be some parking available. Metro buses are a great option to get to the parade route. They usually run on a holiday schedule.