2023 H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade

Mayor Sylvester Turner will serve as grand parshal for the 74th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade along with co-grand marshals, Rockets legends, former Championship coach, Rudy Tomjanovich and Hall of Fame player, Calvin Murphy. 

The City of Houston led by Mayor Sylvester Turner will jumpstart the holiday season with Houstonians’ favorite tradition, the annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade. In its 74th year, the 2023 parade will feature new balloons and floats to celebrate Houston on Parade as it travels through downtown Houston on Thursday, November 23rd starting at 9 a.m. See the parade route here.

For the final parade of his administration, Mayor Turner was selected to serve as the grand marshal for this year’s Thanksgiving Day tradition along with co-grand marshals, Rockets legends, former Championship coach, Rudy Tomjanovich and Hall of Fame player, Calvin Murphy.

Calvin Murphy is a former NBA Houston Rocket and member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the first Hall of Famer to play his entire career with the Rockets, as he averaged 17.9 points and 4.4 assists in 1,002 career games. Murphy averaged double figures in points during every season he played organized basketball, spanning from high school to the NBA. Following his retirement as a player, he continues to work with the Rockets organization as an assistant coach, broadcaster and community services advisor.

Rudy Tomjanovich, known as Rudy T, also spent his entire playing career with the Rockets and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2021. Tomjanovich was a 5-time NBA All-Star forward four consecutive times between 1974 and 1977, and again in 1979. Since retiring from playing, he spent eight years as an assistant coach and as head coach of the Rockets from 1992 to 2003, leading them to two consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Tomjanovich is now a player personnel consultant for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

 The Texas Southern University marching band, “Ocean of Soul” will start the parade after a special performance from Roger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella from Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). The parade will feature additional performances, high-flying balloons, and colorful floats, including the famous Tom Turkey and Santa Claus. New floats include the Recycle float sponsored by the City of Houston Solid Waste Department, made from all recycled materials. Furthermore, the parade will feature a number of local and regional high stepping marching bands, drill teams, dance companies, and more! 

The Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is free and open to the public. A limited number of premium seats are available and can be purchased at houstonthanksgivingparade.org for $28.25 each, including service fee. Curbside space along the route for lawn chairs and blankets will be plentiful. Easy access parking is available along the route, and Metro buses will be running on a holiday schedule.