HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Downtown District announces new campaign, party on Main Street Nov. 29
The Houston Downtown Management District (Downtown District) is repackaging the downtown holiday experience with a new campaign, Unwrap Downtown, in partnership with the City of Houston and Houston First. Downtown District was formed in 1995 for the purpose of revitalizing the urban core of the country’s fourth largest city.
The holiday season kicks off with a series of special events over Thanksgiving weekend featuring the 70th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thurs., Nov. 28) and Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular – 100 years at City Hall (Sat.,
Nov. 30), along with the first annual Thing-A-MaJingle on Main Street, a new signature holiday event hosted by the Downtown District on Fri., Nov. 29, from 7 p.m. to midnight.
“Not only does Unwrap Downtown highlight these signature events that kick off the season, it also encourages Houstonians and visitors to return throughout the holidays to discover and enjoy an abundance of wintertime cultural events and happenings, from ice skating to theater and more,” said Bob Eury, Downtown District president. “Thanks to new residential properties, hotels, major office towers and a diversity of restaurants and bars lining Main Street, there is a renewed energy and vitality that warrants a big splash for the holidays.”
Thing-A-Ma-Jingle is along Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic between Commerce and Rusk in downtown Houston’s Historic District. Recommended for ages 21 and up, the giant block party will feature a Black Friday
Gift Market, Christmas karaoke, photo ops with “Hipster Santa,” lighting projections and more. Eventgoers can enjoy food and drink specials and live music at area bars and restaurants.
Rounding out the pageantry is the Downtown District’s new Main Street holiday decor from Polk to Texas, including custom 30-foot holiday trees, pole decorations, 40-foot-wide street transverses and an oversized Noel “selfie moment,” as well as new multi-colored shooting star pole decorations located from Texas to Commerce.
Signature holiday decor — including one of the largest mistletoe balls in Texas — will also be on view at Historic Market Square Park.
On-street parking is free after 6 p.m. Visit www. downtownhoustonparking. org for an interactive map with garages, surface lots and other parking and transportation options in the area. Always remember that Rideshare to, from and around Downtown is a great option.
Over the past decade, the Downtown District has used a combination of public funds and private resources to catalyze area improvements focusing on the city blocks bordered by I-10, U.S. 59 and I-45. The Downtown District is under the leadership of a 30-person board of directors that oversees implementation of its strategic initiatives.
For more information on Unwrap Downtown, visit www.downtownhouston. org.