Whether you’re home visiting friends and family, said friends and family hosting returning Houstonians, or are just looking for things to do for the week of Thanksgiving, Houston has a cornucopia of wonderful events in store for the last week of November. Check out our roundup of the best things to do for Thanksgiving week in Houston below.
1. Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 76th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade returns in all its pageantry this November! Kicking off at 9 am on Turkey Day, the parade will once again return to the streets of Downtown, Houston with a fabulous array of floats, festivities, performances, and more!
📍Corner of Lamar and Smith Street
2. Texas Winter Lights
Float through the holiday season on the rooftop of the Marriot Marquis at the reprisal of Texas Winter Lights. The magical holiday event has returned for the most wonderful time of the year with thousands of glittering lights, seasonal cocktails, private igloos, VR sleigh rides, and all sorts of cheerful events. If you’re looking for an extra special Thanksgiving dinner in Houston, you can book a private igloo on a rooftop here.
📍1777 Walker Street
3. Potluck at EZ’s Liquor Lounge
Houston’s charming, Texas-spun dive will once again host a Thanksgiving potluck dinner. Open to all, the EZ’s potluck gives local Houstonians a chance to be a part of the community. Here Houstonians can make and enjoy all the Thanksgiving staple dishes including EZ’s owner, Matt Tanner, will be serving his signature Goose & Andouille Gumbo. Open at 6 pm.
📍3302 White Oak Dr.
4. Thanksgiving Restaurants
Leave the cooking to the professionals this Thanksgiving by either dining in or ordering out from some of Houston’s finest chefs. Whether you’re craving turkey, pecan pies, or all the sides, numerous Houston restaurants are either open for Thanksgiving meals or are holding special take-out offers where you can get the full spread to-go for the big day and impress your loved ones.
📍Multiple locations
4. Festival of Trees
Chateau Nouvelle, Houston’s European-inspired Old World castle, has launched the city’s grand new holiday celebration: Festival of Trees. This Thanksgiving Day, the festival will host a special Thanksgiving Family Day. Running from 4 pm to 9 pm, the festival will feature a breathtaking display of lights alongside holiday activations like a Santa’s Workshop, Polar Express Train, Iceland, and more. Festival-goers can also enjoy an assortment of live community performances!
📍 14525 Champions Dr.
5. Discovery Green Ice Rink
Downtown’s magical outdoor ice rink returns to Discovery Green for the holiday season. Here, Houstonians can skate under the stars at the foot of the Houston skyline in an enchanting al fresco atmosphere. Plus, the rink will be open from 11 am to 11 pm on Thanksgiving Day.
📍1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
6. City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic
If you’re looking for free things to do this Thanksgiving in Houston, check out the magical Christmas lights in Downtown, Houston. City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic has returned, with 12 beautiful destinations adorned with lights, Christmas trees, Christmas card-worthy photo-ops, and more.
📍Multiple locations
7. Black Friday
Looking for special deals on gifts, experiences, and joy but don’t want to partake in the carnage of your local Best Buy? Get incredible offers up to 50% on some of the most exciting experiences in Houston by a click of the mouse here.
📍N/A
8. POST Winter Wonderlawn
Downtown’s premier marketplace and rooftop venue have reprised their annual Winter Wonderlawn for the holiday season. Here, Houstonians can marvel at the enchanting holiday light display, towering tree, and stunning skyline views in a wonderful and merry atmosphere. Open on Thanksgiving Day!
📍401 Franklin St.
9. Santa’s Wonderland
With the title of the World’s Largest Christmas Park, Santa’s Wonderland in College Station is the closest thing to the North Pole you will find in the Houston area. The massive holiday spectacle is filled with all sorts of merriment for the whole family. From a snow playground, ice rink, Christmas shopping, snow tubing, magical hayrides, and more: Santa’s Wonderland is an absolute must Christmas bucket list experience in Houston for the holiday season. Open Thanksgiving.
📍18898 Hwy 6 College Station, TX
10. Magical Winter Lights
The massive Magical Winter Lights holiday spectacle returns for its 10th anniversary this holiday season at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Open Thanksgiving, the full-scale festival of lights features a myriad of breathtaking installations, rides, live performances, seasonal treats, and merriment galore!
📍4310 TX-36 S, Rosenberg, TX 77471
11. Festive Neighborhoods
For another free thing to do this Thanksgiving, load up the family van and take a drive through the most festive neighborhoods in Houston. If you want to set the mood with hot chocolate to-go, a Christmas playlist on shuffle, or whatever gets you in the Christmas spirit, feel free as you marvel at the brightest neighborhoods in Houston for the holidays.
📍Multiple locations
12. The Christmas Village
The state’s newest Christmas theme park is open Thanksgiving week! Located in Huntsville just outside of Houston, The Christmas Village offers a nostalgic experience for visitors. Expect light trails, horse-drawn carriages, vintage storefronts, and all sorts of cozy eats and drinks. For other entertainment, the village also hosts screenings of old Christmas movies as well as live music performances!
📍1225 Christmas Village Ln