The big one for little kids is H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thu 9am). In all we found four Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Houston: one parade, one turkey trot with a kids’ race and two Black Friday weekend picks, and two are free. We also list three places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.
Thursday to Sunday
Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.
Monday to Wednesday, Nov. 23–25
Many schools are off all week. The full Monday-to-Wednesday list goes up with the weekly update on Monday, Nov. 23; what’s already posted is below.
It comes from the same weekly check as the Houston this-week page.
Thursday morning
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
Downtown Houston, starting at Smith and Lamar · Downtown
For kids: Get to the route early for a curb spot; route streets close from 8 to 11am.
With littles: The route runs north on Smith, east on Walker, south on Milam, west on Pease, north on Louisiana and west on Clay, ending on Smith at Dallas.
Run it off
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page. Kids’ turkey trots in other cities.
Post Oak Blvd. by the Galleria · Uptown
For kids: The Kids Run is under 1K and untimed. A parent can run with a registered child without registering.
With littles: Strollers start at the back. The start is outside Dillard’s on Post Oak.
Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
Holiday hours from each place’s own hours page, for Thanksgiving Day and the day after. “Not posted” means the page doesn’t list Friday hours yet. Worth a quick check that morning.
Friday, Nov. 27
Tree lightings, parades, light-display openings and Santa arrivals on Black Friday.
First Colony Mall · 16535 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77479
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Reservations are booked through whereissanta.com.
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Thursday emailSaturday and Sunday
Parades, lightings, light displays and other easy outings Saturday and Sunday.
League Park, 512 2nd Street · League City
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Thursday emailEvery 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
Keep planning
November: things to do in HoustonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in HoustonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in HoustonFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in HoustonFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in HoustonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in HoustonBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in HoustonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Noon Year’s Eve in HoustonKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in HoustonParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in HoustonPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in HoustonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in HoustonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in HoustonWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in HoustonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade: Thu, Nov 26, 2026, 9am, Downtown. Times come from each organizer’s own page.
Houston Methodist Turkey Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. The Kids Run is under 1K and untimed. A parent can run with a registered child without registering.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade and Houston Methodist Turkey Trot. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.
Closed on Thanksgiving: Children’s Museum Houston, Houston Zoo and Hermann Park train, pedal boats and carousel. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
No. Its hours page lists it as closed Thanksgiving Day. Friday, Nov. 27: open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Holiday hours can change, so check the hours page that morning.
No. Its hours page lists it as closed during the day on Thanksgiving; Zoo Lights open 5:30–10:30pm. Friday, Nov. 27: open 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Zoo Lights 5:30–10:30 p.m. Holiday hours can change, so check the hours page that morning.
On Friday, Nov. 27: Photos with Santa at First Colony Mall. The hours table also shows which places are open Friday. Times and prices are on each card.
Nutcracker in the Park Tree Lighting: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 6pm (free cocoa from 5pm), League City. Times come from each organizer’s page.
Photos with Santa at First Colony Mall and Nutcracker in the Park Tree Lighting. Dates and times are on each card.
H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade and Nutcracker in the Park Tree Lighting are free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in Houston.
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 Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening: the best things to do with little kids in Houston that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
Houston Methodist Turkey Trot