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NOVEMBER 27, 2025
Get ready, Houston! The 76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls through downtown at 9 am. One of the oldest parades in the nation, this holiday tradition brings out massive crowds for giant floats, marching bands, and high-energy performances that kick off the season in true Houston style. This year’s parade will be led by a fun and familiar lineup of Grand Marshals, Houston’s beloved sports mascots Clutch, Diesel, Orbit, and Toro—bringing hometown spirit and energy to the Thanksgiving morning tradition.
The 2025 lineup will showcase a dynamic range of talent from national recording artists to hometown favorites, creating an unforgettable celebration including: Christian music star Danny Gokey (will perform on the KSBJ float), and rising country star Payton Howie (will perform on the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo float). Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) will delight audiences with a medley from White Christmas: The Musical. Houston’s own Kam Franklin, lead singer of The Suffers, will bring her soulful voice to the Santa float with a spirited rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
Trots ‘Til You Drop
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Because nothing says Thanksgiving like pounding the pavement before piling your plate, here are three local races to kick off the holiday with a side of cardio:
The Turkey Trot Presented by Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Downtown Houston gets moving with this skyline-view tradition. Choose your flavor — 5K, 10K, or the 1-Mile Walk — and know you’re running for a cause: a portion of proceeds supports CoolxDad. Plus, there’s swag (T-shirt, medal, prizes) and bragging rights before that second slice of pie.
Sign up here
Houston Methodist Turkey Trot
Over in Uptown by The Galleria, thousands gather for this beloved event — part holiday tradition, part community block party. With race options from 10K to kids runs (plus a virtual option for the pajama set), there’s a lane for everyone.
Register here
Katy YMCA’s 23rd Annual Turkey Dash
West side, rise up — Katy’s Turkey Dash is back with a kids race (ages 3–12), family walk/run, 5K, and 10K. Finishers snag medals, and the Post-Race Party includes a kids zone and local vendors. Best part? Every entry supports YMCA programs in the Katy community.
Join the dash
Best Eats
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Take Out Only
Not traveling this holiday season? Montrose’s Traveler’s Table will take your tastebuds on an island getaway. Instead of the same old stuffing, they’re serving up Caribbean flavors (no flight delays required).
You won’t find these mains on Grandma’s table — Island-Spiced Roasted Turkey Breast, Jerk Turkey Legs, or Trinidadian Vegetable Korma. Sides keep the vacation vibe going with oxtail gravy, Caribbean cornbread stuffing, and fresh-baked yeast rolls. For dessert there’s the boozy Caribbean Rum Bread Pudding. Plus, 25% off select wines to-go. No TSA lines required! (Photo above by Andrew Hemingway, courtesy of Traveler's Table)
This Thanksgiving is a chance to experience the cooking of Houston’s newest executive chef, Jose “Joey” Gomez, who grew up in Tony’s kitchen and honed his craft under the late Tony Vallone.
The take-home holiday spread includes a 22–24 lb turkey ($220, serves 6–8) with luxe sides like tubetti mac & cheese ($40), cornbread stuffing ($35), and mashed sweet potatoes ($30–$35). Dessert is equally indulgent — tuxedo cake or praline cheesecake ($95 each), plus pumpkin and apple pies ($40–$45).
Everyone knows the truth: Thanksgiving is really about the sides. Guard and Grace gets it — which is why their “Everything But the Bird” feast ($225, serves 6) skips the turkey and goes all in on the good stuff. Think homestyle stuffing, whipped potatoes, green bean casserole, house rolls, cranberry-orange sauce, and plenty of gravy.
For the full spread, the Sous Vide Turkey Breast & Turkey Leg Feast ($395, serves 6) adds the bird back in, but you can still pile on—even more!—extras like their award-winning potato gnocchi ($48) or white cheddar mac & cheese ($35), and oak-grilled broccolini ($29). Dessert seals the deal with Barbara’s pumpkin pie ($32), pecan pie ($42), or a dozen TAG triple chocolate chip cookies ($36).
For nearly 50 years, Hungry’s has been a Houston go-to for comforting, crowd-pleasing meals — the kind of food that belongs at every holiday table. This year’s holiday catering menu covers all the bases, from hors d’oeuvres for a few friends to family feasts that serve up to ten.
Expect seasonal favorites like Oven-Roasted Turkey, Honey-Glazed Ham, Cornbread Stuffing, and pies, plus plenty of à la carte options. They’ve even added plant-based sides — think Mac & Cashew Queso and Beet “Potato” Salad — so everyone at the table leaves happy.
Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey — it’s about the snacks that keep everyone happy while the bird cooks and the football game goes into overtime. That’s where Local Table comes in. Their holiday catering menu covers the whole day, from oven-roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham feasts to hors d’oeuvres that are made for grazing.
Picture this: mini crab cake bites with chipotle sauce on the coffee table, bacon-wrapped shrimp passed around during halftime, and caprese skewers snacked on between rounds of Monopoly. When it’s time for the main event, the Holiday Family Feast for Four ($90) or Feast for 10 ($235) delivers all the classics — mashed potatoes with poblano mushroom sauce, cornbread stuffing, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and seasonal pie.
Photo by Kirsten Gilliam, courtesy of Hamsa
For a holiday spread that’s anything but traditional, Rice Village’s Hamsa is offering Mediterranean-inspired catering that swaps stuffing and gravy for vibrant Israeli flavors. Known for its salatim — the Israeli tradition of starting a meal with a spread of small salads, dips, and pickled vegetables — Hamsa brings the same spirit of gathering and connection to your Thanksgiving table.
The Everything But the Turkey Package ($75, serves 6–8) is a feast of colorful sides and desserts: roasted carrots, turmeric potatoes, Israeli salad, cauliflower couscous, a dip tray with falafel, olives and pickles, plus pumpkin mousse cake and Basque cheesecake. For lighter grazing, the Grazing Package ($60, serves 4–6) features dips with mini pita, veggie crudité with whipped feta, merguez sausage, roasted veggie skewers, and green tahini. À la carte pints and trays are also available.
Known for its line-out-the-door bakeries and colorful cases of pastries, Common Bond has you covered with the best part of Thanksgiving: the breads, sides, and sweets. The beloved bakery is rolling out golden challah rolls ($6.75/dozen), jalapeño cheddar cornbread ($6.99), and a dessert lineup straight out of your holiday daydreams — pumpkin pie ($14.99), bourbon pecan pie ($17.99), and spiced apple pie crowned with cinnamon streusel ($17.99).
And because everyone knows sides secretly steal the show, the Savory To-Go Bundle ($99.99) comes stacked with sweet potato purée, bacon mac & cheese, roasted onion bread pudding, and cranberry-orange jelly. Basically, all the cozy, carb-y, nostalgic flavors of Thanksgiving without dirtying a single dish.
Photo by Kirsten Gilliam, courtesy of Badolina Bakery
Be the star of your holiday spread by showing up with boxes from Badolina Bakery. Their breads are basically designed for Thanksgiving — from classic sourdough ($8) and seeded baguettes ($4.25) to pillowy dinner rolls that were made for leftover turkey sandwiches.
Desserts are where Badolina really shines: Basque cheesecakes in pistachio, chocolate, or plain ($48), mousse cakes in seasonal flavors like pumpkin and raspberry rose (starting at $50 whole), and apple brioche muffins ($25 per half-dozen) that won’t last long on the table.
Take Out and Dine In
If you haven’t been to Georgia James lately, you haven’t been to Georgia James. Now under the helm of Bari Hospitality Group, the modern American steakhouse has a refreshed energy.
Dine in for a three-course menu that begins with a baby spinach salad and concludes with a pumpkin opera cake and bourbon caramel ice cream. The main event is your choice of roasted turkey dinner ($79) with all the fixings or prime rib with au jus ($109).
To-go packages make entertaining easy: a prime rib dinner for 6–8 ($599) or 10–12 ($799), complete with green bean casserole, sweet mashed potatoes, and pecan pies à la mode. Turkey feasts run $399–$559, depending on size, while a salmon package ($449) offers a sea-forward twist.
Tipping Point Restaurant and Terrace
Thanksgiving at Hotel ZaZa’s Tipping Point is a holiday with a side of style. Overlooking the hotel’s Beach Club in Memorial City, the restaurant is known for its chic terrace and destination-worthy vibe.
Start with appetizers like Raspberry Brie en Croute or a Lamb Duo with apple chutney ($16), then move into a choice of feasts ($52): slow-roasted turkey with all the trimmings — cornbread stuffing, rosemary mash, smothered green beans, and a yeast roll — or go luxe with roasted rack of lamb or herb-roasted pork loin, each paired with seasonal sides. End on something sweet with pecan pie or a decadent triple chocolate mousse cake ($13). Want it all? Opt for the three-course experience for $75.
Thanksgiving feels like a celebration. The Galleria’s sleek steakhouse and cocktail lounge is serving holiday specials alongside signature favorites — think luxe dining room, polished service, and a scene-y bar
Hosting at home? Winsome’s catering spreads bring the same energy to your table. Choose smoked turkey or Hawaiian glazed ham, with sides dressed up for the occasion: garlic truffle mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, and homemade cranberry sauce with giblet gravy. Mama’s Carrot Cake and sweet potato pie keep things classic, but with the Winsome touch.
Headed to Galveston for Thanksgiving? Skip the kitchen and pull up a chair at The Fancy, the island’s “fine-ish dining” spot. They’re serving Aunt Lucine’s Thanksgiving — a four-course prix fixe for $85 per person (with optional $55 wine pairings).
The menu puts a Gulf spin on tradition: celery & apple salad with crescenza, Charleston Gold rice risotto with smoked greens and mushrooms, and turkey ballotine with Gulf oyster dressing, bacon-braised green beans, pommes purée, and au jus. Dessert is chef’s choice — but we bet your aunt never ended dinner with a Tokaji wine pairing.
This is Thanksgiving with sand between your toes and oysters in your stuffing — only in Galveston.
