Find the perfect things to do in Houston over the long five-day Thanksgiving weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Wednesday, November 26 to Sunday, November 30, 2014.
[quote_box_right]Thanksgiving Weekend Shortcuts
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27
Sunday, November 30[/quote_box_right]Thanksgiving weekend is one of Houston’s busiest, with restaurants, bars and stores competing with the official launch of holiday events, parties and gatherings. After kicking off with night before Thanksgiving happy hours and parties, the holiday season launches on Thanksgiving morning with the 65th Annual Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown. Not to be outdone, Uptown Houston marks the holiday with an elaborate holiday lighting ceremony complete with fireworks. And that just takes us through Thanksgiving Day itself.
There’s a lot more great stuff to do on Thanksgiving weekend in Houston. Check it out all of our favorites things do in Houston on Thanksgiving weekend with our full guide below.
Things to Do All Weekend
- The ICE at Discovery Green | Daily – Ice skate at the largest outdoor rink in the Southwest at The ICE at Discovery Green. $13. 4pm to 10pm Wednesday and Thursday; 11am to 11pm Friday and Saturday; 11am to 8pm Sunday.
- Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo | Daily – Light up your evenings at the Houston Zoo during Zoo Lights and see over 2 million bulbs reimagined into elaborate scenes. $12.95 Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; $14.95 Friday and Saturday; purchase your tickets online in advance for a $2 discount. 6pm to 10pm.
- Field of Light at Discovery Green | FREE | Daily – Walk through Bruce Munro’s magical, ever-changing installation 4,500 lighted frosted spheres connected by fiber optic cables. Dusk to 11pm nightly.
- Autorama at George R. Brown Convention Center | Thursday to Sunday – Rev up for four days of cars, trucks, motorcycles, live music and appearances by celebrity guests. There will be an exhibit called Woman’s World devoted to arts and crafts . 3pm to 8pm Thursday; 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday; 10am to 6pm Sunday. $18; $4.99 for children 6-12.
- Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker at Wortham Theater Center | Starts Friday – Dream with Clara as she dances with the Nutcracker Prince in the Houston Ballet production of The Nutcracker. Tickets start at $55, but you might find cheaper or better tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale site. Times vary.
- Pop Shop Houston Holiday Festival at Silver Street Studios | FREE | Friday to Sunday – Sleep in on Black Friday and enjoy a day of shopping, food and activities for the whole family. Guests will enjoy a fashion show, music from DJs and food from The Bird, Whipped and Licked Ice Cream and Htown Streats food trucks. VIP tickets available for $18. Friday and Saturday noon to 8pm; Sunday noon to 6pm.
- Miss Black America Coed Pageant 2014 | Friday and Saturday – See who will be crowned Miss Black America Coed and Miss Black America Teen at the Greenway Doubletree Hotel during this annual pageant. $50. 7pm both nights.
- Hermann Park Holiday Train | Friday to Sunday – Climb aboard the Holiday Train at Hermann Park on it’s 2 mile journey along a railroad adorned with lights and Christmas decorations. $3.25. 10am to 6pm.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer Screening at Regal Marq’E Stadium 23 | Friday to Sunday – Get your first peek at J.J. Abrams’ take on George Lucas’ classic Star Wars Trilogy. The 88-second teaser will be shown before every movie showing at this theater for three days – and will not be shown anywhere else in Houston until December next week.
- Family Activities inside the Loop from BigKidSmallCity | Daily – Find events, recommendations and family-friendly activities from our favorite Houston mom-in-the-know Jill Jarvis of BigKidSmallCity.
- Houston Texans Tickets on Sale | Sponsored – Score tickets to Texans home games. Don’t miss a game and grab hard-to-get seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
- Kids Ice Skating Camp at the Galleria – Drop the kids for a full or half day of Ice Skating Camp at the Galleria while you finish your holiday shopping. $80; $60 for half day; limited discounted $40 and $30 admission available. 9am to 3pm.
- Night Before Thanksgiving Happy Hour at Museum Park Café – Indulge in a pre-Thanksgiving treat during the newly launched happy hour at Museum Park Café. With special pricing on wine, beer and cocktails, and half off the dinner menu, you’ll be able to put off cooking for one more day. Items range from $4 to $8. 5pm to 7pm.
- Thanksgiving Eve Holiday Affair at 1919 Wine & Mixology | FREE before 10pm with RSVP – Mix, mingle and party before heading home to a Thursday family dinner. $150 VIP access for eight available. 7pm to 2am.
- Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center – Blow off some steam before a weekend with your relatives at the Rockets vs. Kings game. Tickets start at $20, but you may find cheaper or better tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 7pm.
- Bowties and Blazers at The Marque at City Center | FREE with RSVP or before 9pm – The swanky monthly networking social focuses on health and beauty professionals with happy hour prices and old school hip-hop, neo-soul grooves and classic top 40 tunes from DJ Lowdown. 7pm to 2am.
- A Cardboard Christmas at the Grace Theatre – Take a peek into the story behind some of your favorite Christmas carols in this play by A.D. Players. $20 to $40; limited discounted $10 to $20 tickets available. 7:30pm.
- The 1975 in Concert at Bayou Music Center – Rock out with English band The 1975 in Downtown H-Town. Tickets start at $40. 8pm.
- Kemah Comedy Cruise on Clear Lake and Galveston Bay – Take to the sea on a cruise featuring headliner Blame the Comic and featured comic John Nguyen, complete bar snacks, beer and wine. Cash bar for additional drinks. 8pm to 10:30pm.
- Proof Rooftop Lounge’s 2nd Anniversary Party – Las Vegas DJ and producer Dave Stellar comes to Midtown to spin tracks for Midtown party spot Proof‘s anniversary bash. $10. 10pm to 2am.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2014
-
See your ad here Houston Turkey Trot 2014 in Uptown – Get a quick jog in before a full day of eating at the Houston Turkey Trot. With competitive and non-competitive races that range from 10K wheelchair race to 5K running to kid fun runs, there’s something for everyone. Races range from $10 to $35. 7am.
- 65th Annual Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown | FREE – Ring in the holiday season with Houston’s Downtown parade tradition, complete with colorful floats, larger-than-life balloons, music and more. 9am to 11am.
- Thanksgiving Day Dinners Around Houston – Whether you want to dine out or at home, skip the cooking and the dishes this year and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast from one of these Houston restaurants. Prices and times vary.
- Uptown Houston Holiday Lighting 2014 | FREE – Decorations and lights throughout the area, over half a million twinkling lights, fireworks, larger than life reindeer, appearance by santa and holiday music, santa and his reindeer will light up the bulbs along the Post Oak Boulevard. 5pm.
- Hot Nights on Ice at Discovery Green | FREE – Get your karaoke on at The ICE at Discovery Green. If skating, fees apply. 7pm to 10pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Black Friday, November 28, 2014
- Kids Ice Skating Camp at the Galleria – Drop the kids for a full or half day of Ice Skating Camp at the Galleria while you finish your holiday shopping. $80; $60 for half day; limited discounted $40 and $30 admission available. 9am to 3pm.
- Signature Afternoon Tea at St. Regis – Sip on tea and enjoy an assortment of tea sandwiches, scones and petits fours at the St. Regis during their Signature Afternoon Tea. $45. 11am to 3pm.
- Retail Therapy Happy Hour at RA Sushi – Drop the bags and pick up a drink and a few appetizers during an extended Happy Hour at both Houston RA Sushi locations. Items range from $3.50 to $9. 11am to 7pm.
- Pop Shop Houston Holiday Festival at Silver Street Studios | FREE – Sleep in on Black Friday and enjoy a day of shopping, food and activities for the whole family. VIP tickets available for $18. Noon to 8pm.
- Friday Focus Tour at Rienzi – Explore the topic of “what makes a great cup of tea” during the Friday Focus Tour at Rienzi. Free with Rienzi admission of $8. 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
- Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration at Hotel Galvez | FREE – Mark the beginning of the holiday season in Galveston with this annual event at Hotel Galves. The Holiday Lighting Celebration begins with the lighting of a 35-foot Christmas tree and continues throughout the evening as guests enjoy music from a hand bell chior and carolers, and a performance from The Nutcracker. 6pm to 8pm.
- Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center – Get away from your house that’s packed with relatives at the Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers game. Tickets start at $59, but you may find cheaper or better tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 7pm.
- Critical Mass Bike Ride at Market Square Park | FREE – Bike through Downtown Houston during this monthly community ride with Critical Mass. 7pm.
- Mano y Mano at IHCH – Celebrate the lives and voices of singers Jose-Jose and Marco Antonio Muniz at a special recital, Mano y Mano, presented by the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston. $20; $15 seniors. 8pm to 9:15pm.
- Maleficent Movie Screening at Discovery Green | FREE – Cuddle up on the lawn or ice rink to watch Maleficent as part of the Discovery Green Friday Night Flicks series. If skating, fees apply. 8:30pm.
- Dwight Yoakam at Houston Arena Theatre – Sing along as Dwight Yoakam strums his guitar live in concert at the Houston Arena Theatre. $45 to $75, but you may find cheaper or better tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 9pm to 11pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
