Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in Downtown as the reinvigorated Houston Thanksgiving Parade winds through on a brand new route with some brand new floats and entries on Thursday, November 28, 2013 starting at 9am.
The most recent iteration of Houston’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has a broader scope with “Houston on Parade,” highlighting the many elements that make the city great, ranging from fashion, food and heroes to culture, sports and talent. Expect to see Mayor Annise Parker, the Houston Ballet, the Apache Belles (pictured), festive new floats and an appearance from Santa Claus himself.
The parade will be kicked off by the grand marshall, Tony Award-winner and Houston native Tommy Tune. A widely acclaimed performer, choreographer and director, Tune most recently appeared at the fantastical Argyle Austero in the fourth season of the revived television show Arrested Development.
Under New Management
Although this is indeed Houston’s 64th Thanksgiving parade, it’s the first one run under the auspices of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. The switch followed after the Houston International Fest decided to cease operating the parade and focus solely on the festival.
As a result of the change, and in the interest of providing access for everyone, there all be no special or bleacher seating this year. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs as there will be plenty of spots along the new Downtown parade route.
Parade Route
The Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade 2013 route begins at the intersection of Smith and Lamar along Wells Fargo Plaza. It will travel northwest up Smith Street and pass in front of City Hall and Hermann Square Park before turning right on Walker Street. It will travel two blocks to Milam Street and turn right. The parade will proceed southwest down Milam Street for eight blocks and turn right onto Pease Street. After one block, the parade will turn right onto Louisiana Street and travel northwest for three more blocks. It will turn left on Clay Street and then right on Smith Street where it will conclude at Dallas Street.
64th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade presented by H-E-B
- Date: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2013
- Time: 9am to 11am
- Parade Route: Click here to see a map of the Downtown parade route.
- Parking: Parking is available on the Downtown streets near the parade route.
- Admission: Free
Photo courtesy of the City of Houston / Mayor’s Office of Special Events