CitizensNet

November 20, 2019

Unwrap Downtown with the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thing-A-Ma-Jingle & Mayor's Holiday Spectacular

The Downtown District is repackaging the Downtown holiday experience with a new campaign called Unwrap Downtown, in partnership with the City of Houston and Houston First. The holiday season kicks off with a series of special events over Thanksgiving weekend featuring the 70th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade and Reliant Mayor’s 100th Holiday Spectacular, along with Thing-A-Ma-Jingle on Main Street, a new signature holiday event hosted by the Downtown District. Details below.

ANNUAL H-E-B THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE RETURNS WITH NEW ENTRIES AND DAZZLING PERFORMANCES Jump start the holidays in Downtown Houston with the 70th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade. Legendary floats, marching bands and holiday spirit will continue to reign at the annual Downtown tradition on Thursday, November 28, 9 at am. The Voice contestant Simone Gundy will light up this year’s parade with a performance from “The Greatest Show” in collaboration with local talent from the Houston Contemporary Second Company and Aldine Carver Dance Company. Additional performances throughout the parade will feature an excerpt from Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) “Elf - The Musical,” marching bands from across the state and many more. Parade Starts at Smith and Lamar. The Parade is FREE for all. For those who would like to purchase general seating, there is an opportunity to do so now on the website: www.houstontx.gov/thanksgivingparade.

DOWNTOWN DISTRICT ANNOUNCES NEW HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN AND SIGNATURE HOLIDAY PARTY ON MAIN STREET The first annual Thing-A-Ma-Jingle takes place along Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic, between Commerce and Rusk in Downtown Houston’s Historic District, Friday, November 29, 7 pm to midnight. Recommended for ages 21 and up, the giant block party will feature a Black Friday Gift Market, Christmas karaoke, photo ops with Hipster Santa, lighting projections and much more. Event attendees can enjoy food and drink specials and live music at area bars and restaurants. For updates and specials, follow this event on https://www.facebook.com/events/557294708341395/.

CHLOE x HALLE TO HEADLINE CENTENNIAL RELIANT LIGHTS MAYOR’S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Celebrating 100 years at City Hall, Mayor Turner and Reliant invite Houstonians to Hermann Square for a FREE event perfect for the entire family. The annual spectacular features live music and the lighting of the 65-foot holiday tree on Saturday, November 30, 5 – 8pm. Headlining the event this year is Grammy-nominated sister duo Chloe x Halle with a special performance from American Idol contestant Uché. Additional performances include Theater Under the Stars’ “Elf—The Musical,” The Best Little Kelzmer Band in Texas, Kingwood High School Madrigals, Houston Children Chorus among others. For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov/mayorsholiday/ JINGLE BELLS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR CONTEST Enter for a chance to win the Jingle Bells Holiday Spectacular Contest! Prize package includes: Deluxe Guest Room Accommodations up to a Family of Four at the Hyatt Regency Houston; Gift Certificate to Shula’s up to a Family of Four; Hyatt Regency Houston Breakfast up to a Family of Four; and much more! Enter for a chance to win here: http://www.houstontx.gov/mayorsholiday/jingle-bell-contest.html Learn more about the events listed, including all street closures at houstonspecialevents.org. Real-time updates available at https://www.facebook.com/HoustonSpecialEvents/.