Lizzo Named Grand Marshal of Houston's Thanksgiving Day Parade as City Unveils Holiday Lineup
Houston-raised superstar Lizzo will lead the 77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26, and En Vogue, MAJOR and Jessica Sanchez will headline the free Deck the Hall tree-lighting concert at Hermann Square on December 5, Mayor John Whitmire announced Monday.
Mayor John Whitmire on Monday shared the plans for two of Houston's most beloved holiday traditions, CultureMap Houston reported. The 77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, with Houston-raised superstar Lizzo as grand marshal. Houston native Regan Hutsell, the current Miss America 2027, will join the celebration as a special guest.
"Welcoming Lizzo home as our Grand Marshal is a proud moment for Houston," Whitmire said in a statement. "Her journey reflects the talent growing in our neighborhoods and communities. We look forward to gathering downtown this Thanksgiving to celebrate with our families and share this Houston tradition." Lizzo is an Alief Elsik High School alumna and a former University of Houston student who earlier this year made a sold-out debut performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; the Elsik marching band will join her at the parade, and the K104 report noted she headlined RodeoHouston's Black Heritage Night this year with Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Mike Jones.
The parade — a Houston tradition dating to 1949, free to attend with reserved seating at $30 to $39 — will feature 15 floats and 10 giant balloons, including a 50-foot Popeye, a 50-foot Santa Elmo and a 40-foot Cookie Monster, plus returning favorites the 40-foot H-E-Buddy, the University of Houston-Downtown's 40-foot Ed-U-Gator and the 25-foot Howdy. Performers include RaeLynn paying tribute to Dolly Parton, Christian recording artist Micah Tyler performing "Little Drummer Boy," and the Apache Belles performing their signature kick line. "The H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is a celebration of everything that makes Houston extraordinary: community, tradition, and bringing people together," H-E-B executive Lisa Helfman said.
The season's second anchor event is Deck the Hall, the mayor's holiday tree-lighting concert, on Saturday, December 5, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Hermann Square outside City Hall. Also free, the concert features En Vogue, MAJOR and Jessica Sanchez, with an expanded Winter Wonderland of carolers, school groups and DJs, an ice luge, complimentary hot chocolate and free photos with Santa.
"Deck the Hall brings Houstonians together to celebrate the season and the community we share," Whitmire said. "This year, we're giving families even more to enjoy with an expanded Winter Wonderland, outstanding performers and the lighting of our city's holiday tree." Reliant senior vice president Bill Clayton added: "There's something special about seeing downtown Houston come alive for the holidays, and Reliant is proud to once again help bring this beloved tradition to our community."
