The River Oaks Theatre opened on Nov. 28, 1939, and its first film was Bachelor Mother. On Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, the theatre at 2009 W. Gray will show that film again to mark its 87th birthday. That screening anchors Thanksgiving weekend in River Oaks. This year the month also opens on West Gray.
For years the neighborhood's best-known holiday kickoff has been the annual Tree Lighting at River Oaks District on Westheimer. This year River Oaks Shopping Center scheduled its own evening nine days earlier and called it the center's "first Sip, Shop & Savor." So November 2026 starts on West Gray, moves to Westheimer, then comes back to West Gray for the theatre's birthday on Thanksgiving weekend.
| Date | Where | What |
|---|---|---|
| Thu., Nov. 12, 5–8 p.m. | River Oaks Shopping Center, 1964 W. Gray | First Sip, Shop & Savor |
| Fri.–Sat., Nov. 13–14, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Jenni Kayne, River Oaks District | De La Paix jewelry pop-up |
| Sat., Nov. 21, 4–7 p.m. | River Oaks District, 4444 Westheimer | Annual Tree Lighting |
| Wed., Nov. 25 | River Oaks Theatre | Bitter Christmas |
| Thu., Nov. 26, noon–8 p.m. | Le Colonial, River Oaks District | Thanksgiving prix fixe |
| Sat., Nov. 28 | River Oaks Theatre | 87th-birthday screening of Bachelor Mother |
| Sun., Nov. 29 | River Oaks Theatre | The Muppet Christmas Carol |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | River Oaks Theatre | Winter Wonderland: Hundreds of Beavers |
West Gray Goes First on Nov. 12
River Oaks Shopping Center's Happenings page bills the Thursday, Nov. 12 evening with the line "Kick off the holiday season," and calls it the center's first event of this kind. The evening is set up in layers, so the time you arrive matters.
From 5 to 6 p.m., participating shops open early for residents of The Driscoll and the first 50 people who RSVP. Those VIP guests also get a curated tote bag while supplies last, one per person. The public part runs from 6 to 8 p.m., with complimentary sips and in-store offers. Event wristbands also unlock dining offers at participating restaurants starting at 4 p.m. and running until close. That means you can eat before the shopping starts and still get the restaurant perk. The RSVP is on the Eventbrite listing.
Each participating business has its own offer:
- The Style Concierge: 20% off your purchase, with Blanc du Bois wine
- Fleet Feet: 10% off, excluding electronics and Lululemon, plus complimentary sparkling water
- Flea Style: 10% off plus complimentary wine
- French Cuff: bubbles or white wine with charcuterie and light bites
- Hemline: a gift with purchase, plus prosecco or sparkling water
- Epicure: a complimentary slice of pumpkin pecan cheesecake
- Honest Mary's: an Almond Butter Cookie or a 12-ounce Sipping Broth
- Goode Co.: Tres Leches, Sopapillas or Pecan Pie with an entrée purchase
- Zanti: 15% off your tab and a glass of bubbles
- Leo's River Oaks: a complimentary Limoncello Spritz, or a nonalcoholic version
There is also a giveaway. Macaron by Patisse is donating two macaron baking experiences, and French Cuff is donating a $100 gift card.
Why the Center Is Starting a Tradition This Year
West Gray has had a year of change. Perry's Steakhouse & Grille closed its 1997 W. Gray St. location on Jan. 24, 2026. The Houston Chronicle reported that the restaurant's management cited a contractual dispute with the landlord. As of late October, no new tenant has been announced for that corner space.
A new boutique is on the way a few doors down. Community Impact reported in July that Lilly Pulitzer filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for a 2,181-square-foot store at 1993 W. Gray St. The build-out is estimated at $400,000. Construction was scheduled to start Sept. 22, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 22. That completion date is a permit estimate. The store has not announced an opening, so it may or may not be open before the holidays.
The center is owned and operated by Kimco Realty, which lists River Oaks Shopping Center in its national portfolio. Put together, that is the background for Nov. 12: one anchor restaurant space empty, one national boutique permitted and scheduled for build-out, and a new evening event built around the tenants who are open now, from Hemline to Goode Co.
Then the Season Moves to Westheimer
The next morning, the calendar moves a short drive south to River Oaks District. Jenni Kayne, in Suite D115 at 4444 Westheimer Road, hosts a De La Paix jewelry pop-up on Nov. 13 and 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
The big date at River Oaks District is Saturday, Nov. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. The district's Tree Lighting page calls it the annual Tree Lighting Celebration. It lists a live performance by Breakfast at Tiffany's, followed by the arrival of Saint Nicholas and the lighting of the Christmas tree. River Oaks District has run a market on Sundays this year, but it doesn't carry into the holidays. The Sterling's Market series met on the second and fourth Sundays from April 26 through Oct. 25, so the Tree Lighting is the district's main public gathering for the season.
Thanksgiving Day has a River Oaks District option as well. Le Colonial, in Suite G140, is serving a three-course prix fixe on Thursday, Nov. 26, from noon to 8 p.m. The menu centers on a Hanoi Roasted Thanksgiving Duck, the price is $105 per person plus tax and gratuity, and the meal is also available to go. If you're hosting at home but don't want to cook the main course, the to-go version is the one to know about.
Chloé has announced its first Houston boutique for River Oaks District, at 4444 Westheimer Road, Ste. F150. As Community Impact reported in June, the opening was estimated for fall 2026. Check the district's directory before you plan a stop there during holiday shopping.
Thanksgiving Weekend Brings It Back to West Gray
The River Oaks Theatre has been open since Oct. 3, 2024. It reopened under Culinary Khancepts, the Houston company behind Star Cinema Grill, which took over the lease. The center's own history page still mentions an older expected reopening in 2023, but the theatre has been running for more than two years.
The theatre's November and early December listings run in an order that suits the holiday weekend:
- Wednesday, Nov. 25: Bitter Christmas, rated R, 111 minutes, the night before Thanksgiving.
- Saturday, Nov. 28: the anniversary screening of Bachelor Mother. The theatre's listing calls it an 87th-birthday celebration and notes this was the first movie shown in the building. Advance tickets are on sale.
- Sunday, Nov. 29: The Muppet Christmas Carol, rated G, as part of the theatre's Essentials series. At 85 minutes, it's the one on the list that suits younger children.
- Saturday, Dec. 5: Hundreds of Beavers, in the theatre's Winter Wonderland series.
The theatre's Coming Soon page also lists other titles that weekend, including Unbelievable - The Magic of Jamie Salinas on Nov. 28 and In Memoriam: Best in Show on Nov. 30.
Thanksgiving week is busy here. Le Colonial is serving Thanksgiving dinner on Westheimer on Thursday. Two days later, the building that opened on West Gray in November 1939 shows its first film again, 87 years to the day after it first screened. If Nov. 12 starts a yearly habit at River Oaks Shopping Center, the strip will hold both the first holiday evening of the neighborhood's November and its Thanksgiving weekend.
I keep a close eye on what opens, closes and changes hands along West Gray and Westheimer, because those storefronts are part of what River Oaks homeowners are paying for. If this season's turnover has you wondering what your own home might be worth, Gayle G. Kennedy will put together a complimentary home valuation and consultation, built on what's actually happening a few blocks from your front door.
