Event Roundup: What to do Thanksgiving Week

The 70th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place downtown on Thursday, Nov. 28, 9 a.m.

Happy Thanksgiving week! Find some fun happenings around town this holiday week: 

Thanksgiving Eve with Santa  
The Children’s Museum of Houston hosts a fun Thanksgiving Eve event on Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids can help design banners and Thanksgiving vests and pennants to wobble alongside a turkey character and meet Santa and Elves on a Shelf carolers. Bring your holiday wish list and camera.

Turkey Trot  
The BakerRipley Houston Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving Day favorite for hundreds of Houstonians. Proceeds raised by the race benefit the over 112-year-old nonprofit’s continued work in the local region. The BakerRipley Houston Turkey Trot will include three separate races in the Uptown Galleria area designed to appeal to runners of all ages and experience levels. Participants in the Houston Turkey Trot are encouraged, but not required, to wear their best Thanksgiving Day outfits or costumes.

Turkey Day Workout
Work up an appetite and join for this fun and free workout with The Buzz Magazines and Pledge To Fitness at Evelyn’s Park. The workout will be held outdoors so it’s contingent on weather. All are welcome for this workout class on Turkey Day, 8:30 a.m. 

70th Annual HEB Thanksgiving Parade  
Kick off the holidays downtown with the 70th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade starting at 9 a.m., which will include legendary floats, marching bands and holiday spirit. The Voice contestant, Simone Gundy, will perform a number from “The Greatest Showman” in collaboration with local talent from the Houston Contemporary Second Company and Aldine Carver Dance Company. Additional performances throughout the parade will feature a musical number from Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) “Elf—The Musical,” Apache Belles and much more. 

The 32nd Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting event will return on Thanksgiving evening 2019, kicking off the holiday season and celebrating Post Oak Boulevard’s newly completed transformation.

32nd Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting
The 32nd Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting event will return this year, celebrating Post Oak Boulevard’s recent transformation. An iconic Houston tradition, the family-friendly celebration will be reimagined with the lighting of over 300 all-new, 20-foot-tall holiday trees that will line Post Oak Boulevard from the West Loop to Richmond Avenue. This free family event, beginning at 4 p.m., will include festive music, holiday concessions, holiday characters and a special appearance from Santa, plus a fireworks extravaganza. 

Black Friday Holiday Flea
Silver Street hosts a Black Friday weekend market, Friday-Sunday, with unique collectibles, jewelry, art, artisan products and more from local artists, designers, and craftsmen. There's also a full bar, local food trucks and a pet adoption event.  

Downtown Lasers & Lights in Galveston  
If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving in Galveston this year, be sure to check out the Downtown Lasers & Lights event, featuring new laser shows, a magical display of lights and other holiday-themed attractions in Saengerfest Park. The park will decked in holiday décor, including a 30-feet-tall Christmas tree and a giant snow globe. New this year, four-hour holiday laser shows synchronized to music will be projected on the American National Insurance Company Building from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. See all Galveston holiday events here.  
 
Texas Children’s Family Movie Night: Elf  
Watch the festive holiday movie Elf (featuring Will Ferrell) at Levy Park. Bring blankets or park chairs for the movie, which begins at 6:30 p.m. 

Thing-a-ma-Jingle
The Downtown District will host a new signature holiday event, the first annual Thing-A-Ma-Jingle on Main Street, on Friday starting at 7 p.m. The event takes place along Main Street, which will be closed to traffic between Commerce and Rusk. Recommended for ages 21 and up, the giant block party will feature a Black Friday Gift Market, Christmas Karaoke, photo opps with Hipster Santa, lighting projections and much more. Eventgoers can enjoy the holiday decorations, food and drink specials and live music at area bars and restaurants.

Winter Flea by Night 
Discovery Green's night market expands to a weekly event during the holiday season. On Saturday starting at 6 p.m., browse works by local artisans, antiques and other treasures plus live music, food trucks, lawn games and more. 

Holiday in the Plaza  
Holiday in the Plaza takes place at CityCentre on Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Santa will pose for photos; bring new, unwrapped toys to be donated to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus in exchange for a complimentary picture with Santa. Help decorate an ornament for the tree. The Houston Show Choir will perform festive holiday music.  

Celebrating 100 years at City Hall, Mayor Turner and Reliant invite Houstonians to Hermann Square on Saturday, Nov. 30 for the annual holiday spectacular featuring live music and the lighting of the holiday tree.

Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular
Celebrating 100 years at City Hall, this free, annual event features live music and the lighting of the holiday tree on Saturday, 5-8 p.m. Headlining the event this year is Grammy-nominated sister duo Chloe x Halle with a special performance from American Idol contestant Uché. Additional performances include Theater Under the Stars’ “Elf—The Musical,” The Best Little Klezmer Band in Texas, Kingwood High School Madrigals, Houston Children Chorus among others.

More Events
See our events calendar for more upcoming events.