[quote_box_right]See our 2014 Thanksgiving Weekend Guide[/quote_box_right]Get yourself armed and ready to make the most of the very long Thanksgiving holiday weekend – which kicks off on Wednesday, continues through the ominous shopping day of Black Friday and right into December on Sunday – with the help of our handy, five-day Thanksgiving Weekend Houston 2013 Guide.
[quote_box_right]Thanksgiving Weekend 2013
[/quote_box_right]UPDATE 11/27/13: The photo in this post was previously attributed inaccurately and mistakenly obtained from the wrong source. It is the work of Houston photographer Jeff Balke. We regret our error and appreciate Mr. Balke and others for bringing it to our attention. It sure is a great photo and we’re pleased to continue to share it with his permission.
We all know there is a Black Friday sale every day this weekend in every store in town. But there are many more great things to do – and even one-of-a-kind markets to shop at – all weekend long. We pulled together some of our favorites, including several at Houston’s unofficial winter holiday headquarters Discovery Green park, complete with the annual holiday art installation Lens – Pluralism – Bubbles by artist David Graeve (pictured above).
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Happening All Weekend
- Harry Potter Spoof Potted Potter at the Wortham Center – Appropriate for all ages, this hilarious take on Harry Potter squeezes all of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series into a tight 70-minute performance (without the help of a Time Turner). The touring show was an off-Broadway hit and stars actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner who, during the course of the show, portray just about every character in the Wizarding World.
- Eight Days of Thanksgiving with Chabad at Rice | FREE – Enjoy a nightly outdoor menorah lighting throughout Hanukkah, beginning the evening of Wednesday, November 27. This year it has an uncommon calendar overlap with the Thanksgiving holiday that’s being embraced wholeheartedly.
- Shopping Alternatives to Black Friday at Houston Area Art Markets | Mostly FREE – Check out these art markets, craft festivals and other options to shop for unique gifts from Houston-based artists and vendor.
- Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker – On Friday night, Houston Ballet debuts its latest production of the perennial holiday favorite at the Wortham Center. Discounted pricing is available at shows this weekend. Many shows will feature a higher price as we get closer to Christmas.
- Zoo Lights 2013 at the Houston Zoo – Take an evening stroll through the Houston Zoo while the animals sleep. You’ll take in the whimsical, magical and amusing LED light installations – with more than a million new lights added this year.
- Unique Houston Design Stores & Galleries – Make sure that your holiday weekend shopping includes stops at these must-see-to-believe furniture, home goods stores and design destinations in Montrose, Upper Kirby, Midtown, Uptown and North Houston.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
- 27th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Wortham Center | FREE – Join Santa Claus and costumed performers from Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker for the lighting of the 25-foot tall Christmas tree. Live music and holiday treats will be offered at this annual Theater District holiday tradition.
- What’s Free Falliday Leftover Throwdown – Taste 18 courses and vote on a supreme winner as 18 of Houston’s best chefs go battle in a competition to create the most original and delicious twist on classic Thanksgiving recipes. Deep Eddy Cocktails included.
- Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks at the Toyota Center – The Rockets battle the Hawks in this Thanksgiving Eve game starting at 7pm. You can save 10% to 50% if you buy your tickets via ScoreBig. You’ll save an additional $20 off of that if your order is larger than $75 courtesy of 365 Things to Do in Houston.
- Hoops & Hanukkah with the Houston Rockets – Celebrate First Light at a special pre-game party before the Rockets game at Root Memorial Square Basketball Court across street from stadium and enjoy a Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the court during half time of the game against the Hawks.
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at Reliant Arena – After winning fans and hearts over the last year with their songs “Thrift Shop,” “Can’t Hold Us,” and “Same Love,” duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis bring their brand of Seattle hip hop (which includes a few songs about Seattle itself) to the Bayou City for one night. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster, but you can likely find better seats or cheaper tickets via TicketSpot’s resale market.
- Deep Eddy Falliday Pajamboree | FREE – Put your pajamas on early and stay out late at the Deep Eddy Falliday Pajamboree Pre-Thanksgiving dance party at Winter Street Studios with free beer and cocktails. Register and show up early to go for free or lock in your VIP tickets for extra special access.
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2013
- Donate a meal to the Houston Food Bank – You don’t have to leave the house to donate one or more meals to help the Houston Food Bank feed Houston’s less fortunate this holiday season. Simply click here and select the number of meals you’d like to donate as a gift to the Houston Food Bank anytime before midnight on Thanksgiving Day.
- TXU Energy Houston Turkey Trot | FREE to watch – If you haven’t already signed up to race, you can still stake out a spot to cheer on the Thursday morning racers along the route starting at Dilliard’s by the Galleria.
- Houston’s 64th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade | FREE – Take in the completely free and reinvigorated Thanksgiving Day Parade as it winds through Downtown on a brand new route, with some new floats and entries celebrating what makes Houston great.
- Dine Out for a Four-Star Thanksgiving Day Brunch or Dinner – Enjoy a rich and robust Thanksgiving Day dinner prepared by some of the city’s most hospitable chefs at your choice of Houston’s best hotels.
- Uptown Park Holiday Lighting | FREE – After you’ve polished off the last of the pumpkin pie, head to Uptown Park for a late afternoon launch of the holiday season, with live entertainment, larger-than-life reindeer characters, the lighting of Post Oak with more than 500,000 twinkle lights and a fireworks extravaganza set to holiday music.
- Funny Hat Night & Hot Nights on ICE | FREE – Take to The ICE at Discovery Green with the world’s best beats spun by DJs from Hot 95.7 and Mix 96.5. Guests are encouraged to don their funniest hats for a chance to win four skating tickets and a $25 gift certificate to the snack shop. The event is free to attend but ice skating fees apply.
Friday, November 29, 2013
- Black Friday at the Pop Shop Houston Festival | FREE – Houston’s own indie craft fair, art market and music festival brings more than 90 Houston-based artists and vendors together at Silver Street Studios. In addition to finding unique and interesting gifts, expect family-friendly activities like a vintage video game arcade, cool science lessons from Bright Minds and craft tables for kids and adults. The festival continues for a second day on Saturday.
- Black Friday Fashion Show at Fashion Truck Fest | FREE – Houston’s bimonthly gathering of fashion trucks holds it own unique trunk show (of sorts) at Liberty Station. See and shop the clothing and wares of Height of Vintage, Shoe Bar, Urban Izzy and the brand new Park Boutique along with drinks and live music.
- Houston Critical Mass Friday Night Bike Ride | FREE – Join in this large community bike ride as thousands of cyclists and bike riders of all skill sets roll through the streets of Downtown and beyond with Critical Mass Houston.
- Friday Night Flicks at The Ice: It’s a Wonderful Life | FREE – Take in a free outdoor evening screening of the holiday classic at The ICE at Discovery Green. Watch the movie while you skate or just bring a blanket and kick your heels back. The movie is free but the standard $12 fee applies for skating.
- Kenefick at Blanco’s Farewell Weekend Party – The local country band Kenefick, which paid its dues at River Oaks’ only honky tonk, plays their last boot-scootin’ show at the bar as Blanco’s prepares to shout its last hurrah. The 31-year old country bar on Alabama is closing for a nearby private school expansion, but it’s going out in pure Blanco’s style.
- Los Lonely Boys at House of Blues – Texas and Tejano rock favorites Los Lonely Boys return to the Bayou City for an evening of their classics and some of their newer tracks off their 2011 album Rockpango. Tickets are still available direct from House of Blues, but you can often find better seats or cheaper tickets via TicketSpot’s resale market.
- Tony Award-Winning Memphis at The Grand in Galveston – See the winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as the touring production of Memphis takes over Galveston’s historic opera house. Telling the tale of a white DJ hungry for new music and a black singer ready for her big break, the show is a love story chock full of dancing, singing and pure rock ‘n’ roll. Tickets are also available for a Saturday performance.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
- Yoga on the Plaza at Rothko Chapel – Instructors from Bayou Bliss Yoga lead a 60-minute yoga practice (Hatha) outside of the Rothko Chapel in Montrose. Be sure to bring a towel, yoga mat and water. $10 suggested donation.
- Pop Shop Houston Festival – The indie craft fair, art market and music festival continues at Silver Street Studios with music, family-friendly games and activities and more than 90 Houston-based artists and vendors.
- Blanco’s Farewell Weekend Party – The only honky tonk in River Oaks – or the Loop for that matter as far as we know – is closing its doors after 31 years. We’re going to miss the so-very-Houston anachronism, but it’s not gone just yet. Head to Blanco’s at Alabama and Taft all day on Saturday for a slew of live performances, a potluck dinner, silent auction and bittersweet revelry.
- 18th Annual City Hall Public Menorah Lighting | FREE – For the Fourth Light of Hanukkah, Chabad Outreach of Houston will lead the annual public lighting ceremony at City Hall, featuring the second largest outdoor menorah in Houston, at 8pm.
- Saint Arnold’s Foamraiser at the Orange Show – Head to the eclectic Orange Show Monument on the east side for a lively night blending music, comedy, food, beer and art at what is surely the most curiously unique event and performance space in Texas.
- 2nd Annual Lasers, Lights & Magic in the Park in Galveston | FREE – Celebrate the arrival of the holidays in Historic Downtown Galveston as Saengerfest Park is transformed into an illuminated holiday display. Expect twinkle lights, a choreographed holiday laser light show, occasional snow flurries blown into the park and an appearance by the guy in the big red suit.
- Tony Award-Winning Memphis at The Grand in Galveston – The touring production continues its Galveston run, with a matinee and evening shows. Limited free tickets are available for the Saturday matinee.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
- 25-Mile or 40-Mile Bike Ride with Bayou Bikers | FREE – Hop on your bike and explore Houston’s waterways with this monthly cycling group leaving from Market Square Park at 8am. Given the routes taken, mountain bikes or bikes with fat tires are necessary.
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots – Tom Brady’s Patriots arrive at Reliant Stadium to take on the Texans in this NFL match-up at noon. Tickets are sold out, but you can still score seats at reasonable prices at TicketSpot’s resale market.
- The 4th Annual Chanukah Extravaganza at the Bellaire Jewish Center – Families will enjoy a bounce house, dreidel piñata, all-you-can-eat-barbecue, pony rides, visits with Dovy the Chanukah Bear and the lighting of an eight-foot menorah at this Sunday afternoon celebration.
- Hanukkah Balloon Blast with Katie Balloons at the Jewish Community Center – Enjoy a candle lighting ceremony preceded by a performance by creative balloon artist and entertainer Katie Balloons, star of the TLC reality show The Unpoppables.
- Sunday Supper with the Pope – Get in on the latest mash-up of amazing Houston cuisine and real estate at “Friendsgiving,” the fourth installment in this dining series from Chef Monica Pope and John Daugherty, Realtors. Limited to no more than 70 attendees, this special dinner will be served on the sprawling grounds of a luxury River Oaks estate.
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Was your favorite event missing? Let us know in the comments below!
Thanksgiving Weekend Houston 2013 photo credit: Jeff Balke
