Events
November 2026 - See The Jolly Trolley Take Over the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade
Join us on Thursday, November 26, 2026, as The Jolly Trolley Foundation rolls through downtown Houston in the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade presented by H-E-B! Watch our festive trolley, costumed characters, and holiday magic come to life as we celebrate one of Houston's most beloved traditions.
Come cheer us on in person along the parade route or watch us live on television as we help spread joy, hope, and holiday spirit throughout our community. Interested in becoming a parade partner? Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses looking to make a meaningful impact while showcasing their brand to hundreds of thousands of Houstonians.
Join the tradition. Join the mission. Join us.
A child only gets one Christmas.
On December 17, 2026 The Jolly Trolley Foundation will transform Star of Hope into a Magical Winter Wonderland where children experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity can forget their worries and simply be kids. There will be Santa, gifts, crafts, holiday treats, music, laughter, and the kind of Christmas memories every child deserves.
But we can't do it alone.
We are currently seeking sponsors and collecting new, unwrapped toys to help us create a truly magical experience for hundreds of Houston children and families. Whether you sponsor a holiday station, donate toys, or rally your company to get involved, you can help make Christmas brighter for a child who needs it most.
2026 Gala
On May 14, 2026, our community came together for an unforgettable evening at The Hayworth Building in support of the Jolly Trolley Foundation's mission of bringing joy, movement, literacy, and enrichment to Houston's underserved children.
Guests enjoyed an elegant evening filled with champagne, live entertainment, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to creating brighter futures for children across our city.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests, we raised an amazing $126,000 to support programs such as Lullaby Lane, Storytime on The Jolly Trolley, and other outreach initiatives that bring confidence, enrichment, and joy to children living in shelters, transitional housing, 24 hour daycares, and community centers.
Together, we proved the power of community and the impact that is possible when people come together to invest in Houston's children. Because of this support, more children will experience the magic of being a kid and the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
The Houston Kids Fitness Fair
The Houston Kids Fitness Fair offers interactive learning experiences to students and communities lacking extracurricular activities. Participants can explore the Trolley, learn Gymnastics basics from coaches in a fun setting, and have a chance to win a medal. Each child will leave with a new skill and a free kids fitness book. The Houston Public Library will provide the Curiosity Cruiser for kids to explore fitness books. The fair is held monthly at community centers and libraries in the Houston area.
Past Events
76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Get ready, Houston! The 76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is rolling through downtown on Thursday, November 27th, 2025, at 9:00 am! The Jolly Trolley will be right in the heart of the celebration! This year, children from the Star of Hope women's shelter will ride aboard our brightly decorated trolley, waving and spreading joy to the crowd as part of this beloved holiday tradition. You can make this experience even more magical by sponsoring a child’s ride in the parade giving them the chance to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime holiday memory. Don’t miss your opportunity to help us kick off the season with joy, hope, and the spirit of giving!
Toy Drive for the Star of Hope
Help us sprinkle some Christmas magic on the littlest residents at the Star of Hope women's shelter. Donate to the toy drive by Dec. 15 so it's ready when Santa makes his grand entrance on Dec. 19 —and yes, he's arriving in style on Holly the Jolly Trolley! Holly and the big guy will roll up bursting with cheer, ready to bring joy and gifts to every kiddo at Star of Hope.
Want to volunteer? We'd love your help sprinkling a little extra cheer! We need merry elves for wrapping gifts, prepping for delivery, and handing out presents on the big day. Hop over to the volunteer page for all the details.