Houston's 75th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade lit up downtown on Thursday, bringing festive cheer to thousands of spectators with dazzling floats, music, and star-studded appearances.
Tens of thousands of people were thrilled to see the 75th H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, which turned the middle of downtown Houston into a lively show. The event had colorful floats, towering balloons, and performances by talented local groups, such as Katy's country star Hayden Baker, the Apache Belles, and Ballet Folklorico. It is recognized as one of the oldest and most famous Thanksgiving parades in the country.
Carl Lewis, who has won nine Olympic gold medals, was the grand master. Other Houston athletes who did well at the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics were also there. A lot of people were also looking forward to seeing Santa Claus, who marked the beginning of the holiday season.
Ron Trevino and Deborah Duncan of KHOU 11 hosted the event and led people through the beautiful parade lineup that showed off Houston's rich culture and sense of community.
People lined the streets to see high-energy shows, talented marching bands, and the shared happiness of this beloved ritual. Since it was one of the biggest Thanksgiving Day parades in the U.S., the free event brought people of all ages together in Houston for a fun time.
Belly of the Beast, which is owned and operated by Thomas Bille of Spring, was awarded the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2025. This achievement represents a significant milestone for the culinary sector in Houston.
Harris County commissioners have unanimously selected Judge Genesis Draper, a respected criminal court judge and former public defender, as the next Chief Public Defender. Set to take office on July 7, Draper will succeed the retiring Alex Bunin, inheriting a nationally recognized office and aiming to significantly expand its capacity to provide legal defense services and tackle the county's court case backlog.
The Houston area is poised for a series of "No Kings" protests this Saturday, deliberately timed to coincide with President Donald Trump's military-themed parade and birthday celebration in Washington, D.C These demonstrations, organized by the 50501 Movement and various local groups, aim to express widespread opposition to the Trump administration's policies, emphasizing a rejection of what organizers describe as authoritarian tendencies.