Thanksgiving is next Thursday! If you're new to Houston, you may have just left your established friends and family behind, and be wondering how to celebrate here. There's no need to be lonely this Thanksgiving. Houston is full of events for all ages, all budgets, and all tastes, and there is no better time to get out and meet your new community. Last year, we offered some ideas for connecting at Thanksgiving. Here are updated listings, and a few more ways to celebrate:
Dine Out
If your kitchen isn't unpacked yet, or you're simply not in the mood to cook, Thanksgiving is a great time to check out one of Houston's excellent restaurants. You can find descriptions and contact information for restaurants that are serving on Thanksgiving (and some that will deliver your feast to your home) on Citysearch, B-4-U-Eat Restaurant Guide, and 29-95.
Enjoy Family-Friendly Events
Our city's biggest Thanksgiving tradition, 62 years old this year, is the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade. Enjoy the spectacle on Channel 11, KHOU-TV, or in person in downtown at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. About.com Houston has a quick run-down of all the details.
If you have kids, bring them to the Children's Museum of Houston the day before or the day after Thanksgiving. On November 23, there will be plenty of Thanksgiving-themed crafts and exhibits, plus a chance for your child to build a “float” costume to wear in the museum's own Thanksgiving Parade. On November 23 and 25, Santa Claus will be there to meet good children and kick off the Christmas season.
For an even bigger start to Christmas celebrations, you and your family may enjoy the 26th Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting. The Uptown Park neighborhood starts off the season on Thanksgiving night with half a million lights, holiday music, reindeer, costumed characters, fireworks, and, of course, a visit from Santa.
Help Houston's Needy
Is there better way to give thanks than to share with people in need? There are plenty of opportunities to give and volunteer in the Houston community. Waste Management of Houston will be serving its 27th annual Superfeast—Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who comes out (18,000 to 21,000 people are expected), no questions asked—on the grounds of Houston City Hall. Volunteers and sponsors are welcomed. Interfaith Ministries is looking for volunteer drivers to deliver Meals on Wheels dinners to homebound people in need this Thanksgiving. The Houston Food Bank also provides Thanksgiving meals to needy Houstonians, and welcomes food donations.
Trot Off All That Turkey
If fitness is important to you and you'd like to celebrate Thanksgiving with like-minded Houstonians, or you just want to work off your Thanksgiving feast, turkey trotting is the tradition for you. Where.com has compiled this list of the ten most popular Thanksgiving Day runs in the greater Houston area, from one-mile family fun runs to 10k races.
Posted by Melanie Belasco Levy on 11/17/11
