Mayor opened the event by praising city employees and describing the holiday programs as a way to "add energy" to daily life and remind residents "what's important," and said the city could not produce the events "without our partners." The mayor emphasized that "our highest priority during the holiday season is public safety," and introduced event partners and speakers.

Lisa, a representative of H‑E‑B, said the H‑E‑B Thanksgiving Day Parade is a long‑running Houston tradition that "fills our city with holiday spirit" and previewed floats, bands, dance teams and balloons. She announced a 40‑foot H‑E‑Buddy balloon, a 50‑foot golden dragon, and that Houston’s sports mascots — Diesel, Clutch, Toro and Orbit — will serve as 2025 grand marshals for the parade.

Ricardo, a city staff member involved in special events, thanked the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for partnership and introduced speakers from Reliant and Downtown Houston Plus.

Megan McConomy of Reliant NRG said Reliant will return as a presenting partner for a free family‑oriented evening holiday show. She described a 48‑foot decorated tree planned for the program with "4,000 ornaments and just shy of 100,000 LED energy efficient lights," and said the program will include Reliant’s twinkling Santa hats, a winter wonderland kids zone in partnership with the Houston Public Library, Santa’s workshop for photos, and a fireworks display with artificial snow over Herman Square. Reliant announced Grammy‑nominated R&B performer Brian McKnight as the evening headliner; organizers also named Ernest Walker and the official holiday band among scheduled performers.

Chris Larson, president and CEO of Downtown Houston Plus, outlined the City Lights downtown holiday program. He said the program will create two clustered activity zones called the North and South Poles, with activations in the theater district at Lynn Wyatt Square and Market Square Park, and at Discovery Green, Avenida Plaza, Trebly Park and Daikin Park (the Houston Astros venue) where organizers will stage a "Light Up the Park" experience. Larson described decorated pedestrian "confection connections" linking Texas Avenue and McKinney Street and listed family activities including live music, a holiday market, an ugly‑sweater blanket bingo event, weekly workshops, pup‑friendly photos with Santa, and a returning Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt.

Chief Noe Diaz of the Houston Police Department said HPD will coordinate with the fire department, EMS, public works and other city departments to staff the parade and evening events. He said attendees should expect both uniformed and plainclothes officers ‘‘in and around the parade routes,’’ advised precautions for children, and warned of street closures and traffic delays while urging people to report suspicious activity.

Organizers said the parade route map and ticketing information are on the city website and accessible via a QR code; they said most viewing along the publicly accessible route is free but that a limited number of select ticketed seats around the main viewing line are offered.

The announcement closed with thanks to partners, volunteers and city staff and a group photo opportunity.