What exactly makes the Coastal Bend so enchanting during the holiday season? What we lack in snow-blanketed pine trees we make up for in community events and joyous spirit. We’re here to help you make the most of this merry season. Mark your calendar for these 15 holiday events in Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas.
Kick Off the Holiday Season with Yuletide Fun
December 7
This event invites families to kick off the holiday season with festive fun from 2-5 p.m. just before the H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting and Illuminated Boat Parade. Enjoy activities including a petting zoo, games, crafts and photo opportunities. Join the celebration at the Art Center of Corpus Christi’s Courtyard and experience the season’s magic along the waterfront.
Watch the H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting & Illuminated Boat Parade
December 7
Downtown Corpus Christi invites families and friends to celebrate the 2024 holiday season with an evening of festivities. On Dec. 7, Downtown Corpus Christi will host the H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m. at Water’s Edge Park, with vendors and food trucks from 4-9 p.m. The celebration continues with The Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade, setting sail from the Seawall at 7 p.m. Marvel at water vessels of all shapes and sizes decked out in holiday decor. The parade will be viewable from the seawall between the Lawrence Street T-head and Coopers Alley L-head.
See the Nutcracker
December 7 -8 and 14 – 15
Discover the magic of Corpus Christi Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Selena Auditorium. Gala Weekend, with a live soundtrack from the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, takes place Dec. 7 and 8, and Family Weekend, with discounted tickets, will take place Dec. 14 and 15. Ticket prices vary and are available for purchase online.
Have Breakfast with Santa Aboard the LEX
December 14
Make a lasting memory this holiday season! Enjoy a delicious pancake bar breakfast and share in the excitement of welcoming Santa Claus. All children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa and have their picture taken starting at 8 a.m. before will settling down to watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas in the Mega Theater. After the movie, take part in a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt which will take you on a tour of the ship. Children will receive a bag of “reindeer feed” and each family will take home a custom USS Lexington holiday ornament. It’s a morning that will surely get everyone in the holiday spirit! Tickets start at $20.
Check Out Christmas on the Coast’s Month-Long Programming
December 7 – Jan. 5
Celebrate the holidays with the City of Portland and make plans to attend its month-long series of events for Christmas on the Coast. Several family-friendly events will take place between Dec. 7 and Jan. 5, such as the lighting of the Christmas in Portland Festival and the opening of the skating rink (Dec. 7), the Parade of Lights (Dec. 9), the Illuminated Tinsel Trot and Concert (Dec. 14), Pooch-a-Palooza with Santa (Dec. 21) and more. For a full lineup of events and more information, visit the website.
Try Your Skills on a Real Ice Rink
December 7 – January 5
Grab your skates and head over to the City Complex in Portland for the opening of its annual ice skating rink made with real ice! The opening ceremony will take place alongside the City of Portland’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. and will remain open on Dec. 8, Dec. 10 – 15 and Dec. 18 – Jan. 5. The daily admission fee is $10 per person/per session (which includes the skate rental fee), and sessions take place at 5:00 p.m and 7:30 p.m.
Attend the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays Concert
December 14
Happening Saturday, Dec. 14, it’s a classic holiday event you don’t want to miss! Join the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra for a matinee or evening evening of holiday musical stylings at the TExas A&M University Performing Arts Center. Special featured guests include Steve Amerson, tenor and choirs. Tickets are available online.
Spend an Evening at Aurora Arts Theatre for A Christmas Story
Dec. 6 – Jan. 4
Aurora Arts Theatre brings holiday cheer to the stage with A Christmas Story, the Musical, directed by Laurie Guajardo-Hoefelmeyer. Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows young Ralphie Parker’s quest to secure his dream Christmas gift — an Official Red Ryder BB gun — despite constant warnings. The show has a runtime of two hours, including a 15-minute intermission. Ticket prices and showtimes vary.
Shop Holiday Markets on Peppermint Lane
Every Sunday in December
Every Sunday through Dec. 22 from 2-7 p.m., the Peppermint Lane Holiday Market hosts dozens of pop-up vendors, food trucks and seasonal photo opportunities. Located on Chaparral Street, from Lomax to Lawrence Street, this weekly market provides the perfect opportunity to shop local for all your holiday gifts.
Visit the Christmas Tree Forest
Now through January 3
In partnership with The Junior League of Corpus Christi and H-E-B, the Art Museum of South Texas will host its annual Reading Wonderland Christmas Tree Forest through Jan. 3. Children from 30 area school groups and organizations will decorate a tree inspired by literary themes and characters. The public is encouraged to visit the forest and vote for their favorite tree.
Snap a selfie with Scuba St. Nick
December 14 – 23
The beloved Scuba St. Nick will dive into the H-E-B Caribbean Sea Exhibit at the Texas State Aquarium every Tues. – Sun. from Dec. 14 to Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. to take photos with guests and their families. Admission prices vary.
Go Ice Skating at Coastal Christmas
December 18 – 23
American Bank Center’s Coastal Christmas returns with indoor ice skating and holiday fun for the whole family. Regular skate sessions, late-night sessions soundtracked by a live DJ and sensory-friendly sessions are all available Dec. 18 through 23. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Family photo ops, visits from special holiday characters, holiday refreshments and more are available at the 6th Annual Coastal Christmas.
Watch A Christmas Carol Live on Stage
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 22
Don’t miss Harbor Playhouse’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. The superb musical trails Scrooge on Christmas Eve as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future—ultimately resulting in his discovery of the true meaning of Christmas. The play has become a Coastal Bend tradition and will run every weekend through Dec. 22. Tickets are available online.
Stop by Holly-Days at The Gardens
Every Friday and Saturday until Dec. 23
Watch the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center transform into a magical winter wonderland with Holly-Days at the Gardens. Stop by every weekend until Christmas for four Eco Christmas Trees, light displays, two 15-foot wooden reindeer, Santa, a huge lighted fir tree, hay rides, a petting zoo, photo ops, s’mores, hot cocoa and more! Admission prices vary.
Give Back at the Feast of Sharing
December 21
There’s no time like the holidays to give back, and H-E-B is seeking volunteers for its annual Feast of Sharing event. From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the American Bank Center, help pass out a delicious hot meal to community members in need. Register to volunteer online.
Editor’s Note: The original version of this article was published in the December 2022 print issue of The Bend. This article was modified with updated information.
