'tis the season

Houston shares plans for Thanksgiving parade and holiday tree lighting

H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa Claus

Santa will be one of the stars of the 76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Courtesy of the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade

The holidays are officially upon us as Mayor John Whitmire announced details of two of Houston's biggest seasonal events. Get ready for the 76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade and Reliant Presents: Deck the Hall, the Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Concert.

The parade will happen first on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, starting at 9 am downtown. This year's grand marshals will be the collected sports mascots of Houston teams; Clutch (Rockets), Diesel (Dynamo and Dash), Orbit (Astros), and Toro (Texans).

“For more than seven decades, Houston families have gathered downtown on Thanksgiving morning to celebrate community, gratitude, and holiday cheer,” said Whitmire. “We look forward to another magical morning filled with music, joy, and the spirit that makes this city so special.”

With 15 floats and 11 balloons, the parade highlights the many parts of Houston culture we're thankful for. One float will be a tribute to iconic H-town artist David Addickes, creator of the We Love Houston sign, President Heads, and Sam Houston statue. Musical guests include Christian music star Danny Gokey, country artist Payton Howie, and Kam Franklin, lead singer of The Suffers, heralding the arrival of Kris Kringle with a rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."

"Year after year, the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade reminds us of what community truly means — joy, gratitude, and coming together to celebrate,” said Lisa Helfman, managing director, H-E-B Public Affairs, Houston. “As we step into the parade’s 76th year, we’re honored to continue this cherished Houston tradition that fills our city with holiday spirit.”

The parade is free and open to the public, though premium seats are available for $28.25 at HoustonThanksgivingParade.org. The site also contains route information. Bus routes for the holidays are available at RideMetro.org.

The tree lighting ceremony and concert will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 4–8 pm in Hermann Square outside City Hall. The festival portion will include a KidZone, photo opportunities, games, crafts, and Reliant’s signature blinking Santa hats. The concert portion will kick off at 6 pm with Brian McKnight and other performers backed by the The Ernest Walker Band. An artificial snow drift and fireworks will top off the festivities.

“This event is one of my favorite holiday traditions,” said Whitmire. “It’s a wonderful time for Houstonians from every neighborhood to come together, share in the joy of the season, and celebrate the unity and spirit that make our city so special. I thank Reliant and our community partners for making this annual celebration possible.”

The festival and concert are also free to attend. More information can be found at HoustonSpecialEvents.org.

holidays thanksgiving day parades

a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

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