Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Video, photos of floats, bands, marchers in Downtown Houston

HOUSTON - Thousands of people lined the streets of Downtown Houston to watch the 74th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday morning.

The annual free parade began at 9 a.m. and drew a large crowd despite the chance for some drizzle in the forecast.

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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was selected to serve as grand marshal for the parade, along with co-marshals, Rockets legends, former Championship Coach Rudy Tomjanovich, and Hall of Fame player, Calvin Murphy.

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The Texas Southern University marching band, "Ocean of Soul" kicked off the parade after a special performance from Roger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella from Theatre Under the Stars.

The parade featured additional performances, high-flying balloons, and colorful and unique floats, including the famous Tom Turkey and Santa Claus.

New floats include the Recycle float, sponsored by the City of Houston Solid Waste Department, made from all recycled materials. The parade also featured a number of local and regional high-stepping marching bands, drill teams, dance companies, and more.

The route began at Smith at Lamar, headed north to Walker, east to Milam, south to Pease, west to Louisiana, north to Clay, west to Smith, and then north to end at Smith and Dallas. Street closures are expected to be lifted by 3 p.m. Thursday.