Houston kicks off the holiday season with its annual holiday parade through the streets of downtown on Thanksgiving morning. The parade draws 400,000 spectators each year and is broadcast to nearly two million viewers. Get in on the fun!
Houston Holiday Parade
For decades, Houston residents and visitors have enjoyed the annual Holiday Parade — the largest and longest running Thanksgiving Day parade in the state of Texas. The 2011 Houston Holiday Parade is scheduled on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. The 62nd annual event is presented by H-E-B and benefits the Houston Festival Foundation Inc., and education programs reaching more that 1,450 public schools.
Houston’s Thanksgiving Day parade tradition started back in 1949 as Santa arrived at Union Station and rode his sleigh to Houston’s downtown Foley’s. Originally known as the Foley’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the event has changed title sponsorship several times but the celebration is always festive. Elaborately decorated floats and holiday entertainers move along the parade route, culminating with a grand entrance from Santa himself.
No matter your budget, you can take your whole family to see the parade. General admission is free, while reserved seats range from $15 for folding chairs (Turkey Seating) to $75 for the VIP boxes. Additionally, grandstand tickets are sold for $25. Grandstand seating is located in front of Minute Maid Park. Though the performances stop in front of the reserved areas for optimal viewing, you can still get a good look at the parade from anywhere along the route. The parade route begins at Minute Maid Park and ends at LaBranch and Dallas near the George R. Brown Convention Center.
If you miss the parade live, it’s also syndicated on KHOU-TV channel 11 until Christmas Day. Visit the Holiday Parade website to purchase tickets, find out how you can volunteer and get more information about the day’s events.
Houston Holiday Parade information
Address: Hamilton @ Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713.654.8808
Website:holidayparadehouston.org
Image: Courtesy of Ed Uthman, MD
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