Give thanks for things to do on Thanksgiving Day & Night around Houston

Get out and experience the best of Houston—before or after your feast—with our very favorite things to do in Houston before and on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024.

Whether you’re entertaining your entire brood, hosting a friends-giving, or relaxing with a solo Turkey Day, you’ll find plenty to entertain you.

And if you’re looking to skip the cooking this year, make your way to one of our favorite restaurants with our guide to dining and to-go options around Houston this Thanksgiving.

2024 Thanksgiving Day Things to Do in Houston

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024

Operation Turkey: Thanksgiving Day in Midtown | FREE – Meet at St. Paul’s Methodist Church and help assemble and distribute 3,125 Thanksgiving meals to those in need around Houston. Volunteers will be onsite to direct you to the meal assembly areas and the driver pick-up area where you will receive an address with the number of meals requested for you to deliver. 6am to noon.

Thanksgiving Brunch, Lunch & Dinner Around Greater Houston | Dine In – Spare your kitchen, dining room, and dishwasher and head out for a traditional, or innovative take on turkey and stuffing. Times vary.

Houston Turkey Dash in Cypress – Bring family and friends of all ages out a morning of walking and running. Participate in a Kids K, one-miles walk or fun, 5K, 10K, even a half marathon. $30 and up. 7am.

16th Annual Bay Area Turkey Trot at On the Run Clear Lake – Set out on Thanksgiving morning from On the Run in Clear Lake, weaving through scenic neighborhoods for a Turkey Day 5K, 10K and Kids K. $40; $25 for the Kids K. 7:15am.

Houston Turkey Trot at The Galleria – Join in the long-running Uptown Houston tradition and race or walk in a 10K, 5K, or Kids Run for ages 12 and under. $50 and up; $40 for Kids Run. 7:30am.

The Turkey Trot in Downtown Houston – Begin your morning with this event presented by St. Arnold Brewing Co. The 5K, 10K and 1-mile routes take walkers and runners of all ages through Downtown. Expect giveaways, prizes and other fun. $35 and up. 7:30am.

Thanksgiving Brunch at the San Luis Resort – Head to Galveston for this incredible buffet offering, with Champagne, live music and a decadent feast. You’ll find a carving station, breakfast favorites, sides and a host of desserts. It’s a perfect way to spend time with family and friends. $119 and up; kids $39 and up. 11am to 2pm.

YMCA Run Thru the Woods in The Woodlands – Kick of Thanksgiving with this fun run supporting nonprofits in The Woodlands, Spring and Oak Ridge.Walkers and runners of all abilities can take part in a 3-mile run, 5-mile run, 3-mile walk or 1-mile Kids Race. Strollers welcome. $50 and up. 7:30am. 

8th Annual Pearland Turkey Trot at Independence Park – Give thanks and celebrate this Thanksgiving with friends and family at Pearland’s 8th annual Turkey Trot starting at Independence Park. $25 for the Kids K; $30 for 1-mile; $55 for 4-mile; $65 for 6-mile and handcycle. 7:30am.

39th Annual Sugar Land Turkey Trot – Burn off the calories before you eat the big meal along this course in the Sugar Creek neighborhood. There’s a 1-mile kids run, a 5-mile timed race and a 2.8-mile family walk or jog. $25 and up. 7:45am.

9th Annual Free Turkey Trot 5K/10K at the Eastern Glades – Grab family and friends and come out to Memorial Park to begin Thanksgiving Day with a fun run. Expect friendly runners, handmade Turkey Day costumes on a first come, first served basis, and refreshments afterward. Registration required. 8am.

10th Annual L3 Turkey Day 5K & Kids Wishbone 1K at Kingwood Town Center – The annual Kingwood Turkey Day run helps raise funds to find a cure for pediatric cancer. Runners can participate in a 5K run or the Kids 1K. $35; $20 to $25 for the Kids K. 8am to 11am.

75th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown | FREE – Get into the holiday spirit at the 75th Annual Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade, a showcase of sensational floats, high-flying balloons, marching bands, artistic entries, and live entertainment marching through the streets of Downtown. 9am to 11am.

Thanksgiving at Kemah Boardwalk | FREE – Skip the usual routine and head to Kemah Boardwalk for an afternoon of thrilling rides, delicious food, and scenic waterfront views. Free to attend, but ride passes and food vary in price. 10am to 6pm.

Thanksgiving Potluck 2024 at Unity of Houston | FREE – Bring your family, friends, and a dish to reflect and share friendship and joy with others at Unity of Houston’s potluck in their Wallet Hall. Resgistration is required. Noon to 2pm.

After The Meal: Attractions Open on Thanksgiving Night, Thursday, November 28, 2024

85th Anniversary at River Oaks Theatre | $8.50 Movie Tickets – The beloved, newly restored and reopened movie house on West Gray turns 85 today and is celebrating with a special ticket price to this month’s blockbusters movies Wicked and Gladiator II, plus Anoraand the Steve Martin classic Planes, Trains & Automobiles. All shows $8.50. Showings from 11:15am to 10pm.

Meow Wolf Houston: Radio Tave in Fifth Ward – Meow Wolf waits for no one, opening its doors on Thanksgiving Day. The highly anticipated interactive, immersive art experience tells many interweaving stories of interdimensional exploration and the intersection of the supernatural and mundane at fictional radio station ETNL. $40 and up. Noon to 8pm.

Space Explorers: The Infinite at Sawyer Yards | Final Weekend – With just three days left, The Infinite opens on Thanksgiving. The immersive VR experience inspired by NASA missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is departing after next Saturday, November 30, but there’s still time to see never-before-seen 360-degree videos captured in space, explore the ISS, and experience life as an astronaut before the epic installation ends its Houston run. $29 and up. 4pm to 8:30pm. Order tickets or Learn more.

Thanksgiving Night at Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green – Lace up your skate rentals and head out onto the ice at the beloved winter tradition in the heart of Houston’s official front yard. $18 includes skate rentals for 75 minutes. Tickets must be ordered in advance online. Skate start times from 5pm to 9pm. 

Texas Winter Lights at Marriott Marquis Houston in Downtown | Enter to Win a $410 Private Igloo Experience – Perched six stories above the heart of Downtown Houston, Texas Winter Lights transforms the hotel’s Altitude Rooftop and Pool into a holiday playland for all ages with over 100,000 glittering lights, captivating displays and photo opps, tasty food and drinks, and lively seasonal cheer. $30; $30 for ages 2 to 12. 5pm to 10pm. Order tickets or Learn more.

Magical Winter Lights at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds – Magical Winter Lights lights up the night on Thanksgiving night, showcasing artistry to delight families and photographers with 60 giant illuminated lanterns, millions of holiday lights, and carnival rides. $27 and up. 5pm to 10:30pm.

---

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!