69th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade

Houstonians will jump-start the 2018 holiday season with the 69th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 22. (Photo: Richard Carson) 

Reigning MLB and NBA Most Valuable Players José Altuve and James Harden will join Mayor Sylvester Turner to jump-start the 2018 holiday season with the 69th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston.

This year’s parade will feature 19 high-flying balloons and 16 floats including Tom Turkey, Santa Claus and new performances this year from the Praire View A&M Marching Storm, country singer Will Carter and so much more! The parade will open with an iconic performance from Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) Beauty & the Beast fan favorite “Be our Guest,” coming to Houston in December.  This year marks the 50th season of TUTS and the 25th anniversary of the Broadway musical that debuted in Houston before becoming an international sensation.  The parade will also feature five winners of the annual local artist float competition. They have created stunning entries that showcase the themes of the parade.  The theme of the parade is Houston on Parade with a focus on caring, tradition, family and being grateful. 

The parade will begin on Smith at Lamar, head 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 69th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is free and open to the public. A limited amount of seats are available at the parade’s starting line, and can be purchased through the official website for $28 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.