The annual Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the holiday season in Houston, Texas. Thousands of local children wait for this event for the whole year to catch a glimpse of Santa and colorful floats. The parade takes place on Thanksgiving Day in the heart of downtown Houston. One of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parades in the South, held since 1949, it attracts a hundred thousand spectators, lining 20 blocks of the city along the parade route.
Houston Thanksgiving Day parade starts at 9 am near the City Hall on Smith Street. It travels down Walker, then turns south on Milam, west on Pease, north on Louisiana, west on Clay, and back to Smith Street, where the seating area is located. The procession features vibrant floats, marching bands, colorful balloons, and various entries, unique to Houston.
Spectators are encouraged to arrive early. Parking is available on the street parking and at the parking lots, but they fill up very fast, so attendees are encouraged to use METRORail or other public entertainment. Live entertainment begins at 8 am. The seating area for the parade opens at 7 am. Admission is about $28. The parade is an important event for the city, and it is usually attended by the Houston Mayor, various celebrities, pop stars, and civic groups.
