HEB Thanksgiving Parade Houston 2024

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

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

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

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

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.