Christmas parades 2026Houston · Space City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Houston, 2026.

We found 13 Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Houston with 2026 dates: seven parades and six tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?61st Annual Tomball Holiday Parade: Nov 21 · 10am–noon. Plus 6 more.7 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?Nutcracker in the Park Tree Lighting: Nov 28 · 6pm. Plus 5 more.6 lightingsIs it free?Every one listed here is free to watch.13 freeDaytime or after dark?5 daytime, 8 in the evening. Each card is marked.8 evening

Last checked · 13 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

21NovSat61st Annual Tomball Holiday ParadeParade · 10am–noon26NovThuH-E-B Thanksgiving Day ParadeParade · 9am28NovSatNutcracker in the Park Tree LightingTree lighting · 6pm1DecTueHumble Christmas Parade of LightsParade · 6:30pm3DecThuBaytown Christmas Parade and Tree LightingParade · Tree lighting and parade arrival 6:30pm3DecThuChristmas on Main and Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–9pm5DecSatDeck the Hall and the Mayor's Holiday Tree LightingTree lighting · Evening, with a fireworks finale5DecSatKaty Christmas Tree Lighting and Nutcracker ExchangeTree lighting · Market 2–8pm5DecSatKingwood Christmas in the Park Tree LightingTree lighting · Park opens noon5DecSatMissouri City SnowFest and Tree LightingTree lighting · 3–8pm5DecSatHoliday in the Park Grand Night ParadeParade · 6pm5DecSatPasadena Holiday Lighted ParadeParade · 7pm12DecSatDowntown Conroe Christmas ParadeParade · Noon–2pm

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around Houston

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near Houston

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Houston

Sugar Land Christmas Tree LightingNext: Nov 20, 202661st Annual Tomball Holiday ParadeNext: Nov 21, 2026Lighting of the Doves (Santa arrives by sleigh)Next: Nov 21, 2026H-E-B Thanksgiving Day ParadeNext: Nov 26, 2026Nutcracker in the Park Tree LightingNext: Nov 28, 2026Humble Christmas Parade of LightsNext: Dec 1, 2026Baytown Christmas Parade and Tree LightingNext: Dec 3, 2026Christmas on Main and Tree LightingNext: Dec 3, 2026Deck the Hall and the Mayor's Holiday Tree LightingNext: Dec 5, 2026Holiday in the Park Grand Night ParadeNext: Dec 5–6, 2026Missouri City SnowFest and Tree LightingNext: Dec 5, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in Houston

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Good questions

Christmas parades in Houston: the FAQ

61st Annual Tomball Holiday Parade: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 10am–noon (Tomball). H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade: Thu, Nov 26, 2026, 9am (Downtown). Humble Christmas Parade of Lights: Tue, Dec 1, 2026, 6:30pm (Humble). Baytown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, Tree lighting and parade arrival 6:30pm (Baytown). Plus three more on this page.

Nutcracker in the Park Tree Lighting at League Park, 512 2nd Street: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 6pm (free cocoa from 5pm). Christmas on Main and Tree Lighting at Downtown La Porte: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 5–9pm. Deck the Hall and the Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting at Hermann Square at City Hall: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Evening, with a fireworks finale. Katy Christmas Tree Lighting and Nutcracker Exchange at Historic Town Square, 904 Avenue C: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Market 2–8pm; lighting time TBA.

All of the ones we list are free to watch: 61st Annual Tomball Holiday Parade, H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nutcracker in the Park Tree Lighting and Humble Christmas Parade of Lights. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: 61st Annual Tomball Holiday Parade, H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade and Katy Christmas Tree Lighting and Nutcracker Exchange. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 26, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Houston that weekend, parades included.

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