Are you looking for things to do in Corpus Christi this weekend? From the H-E-B Tree Lighting Ceremony to ice skating to endless holiday cheer, there are plenty of ways to get out and about with the whole family.
December 5
First Friday ArtWalk
Downtown Corpus Christi will come alive this weekend for First Friday ArtWalk, featuring pop-up parties at Artesian Park, the Taylor St. lot, Starr St., La Retama Park and the Art Center of Corpus Christi. Plus, enjoy local vendors, live music and food trucks that bring festive cheer to every street corner. With no street closures this month, guests can wander freely through the district, grab a bite to eat, shop local and soak in the holiday spirit. The evening also marks the kickoff of the Mayor’s Sparkling Christmas Lights Contest, inviting visitors to explore decked-out storefronts and vote for the People’s Choice Award throughout December. You can vote for your favorite decorations here!
December 5-6
HOLLY-Days at the Gardens
The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center transforms into a sparkling wonderland during its annual HOLLY-Days celebration, happening every Friday and Saturday evening through Dec. 20. Families can enjoy visits with Santa, hayrides, kids’ crafts, a lighted hay maze, hot cocoa, s’mores and photo ops with animal ambassadors. Plus, don’t miss the Gardens’ signature holiday displays, including the 20-foot fir tree, the poinsettia tree, and Shelia Rogers’ brilliantly lit “Emerald Forest” installation, made from recycled materials. Admission ranges from $6 to $10, with free entry for members and children under 3.
All Weekend
Letters to Santa Presented by Kleberg Bank
All Weekend
A Christmas Carol, Harbor Playhouse
A beloved local tradition, Harbor Playhouse’s annual production of A Christmas Carol returns from Nov. 21 to Dec. 21. The spirited adaptation brings Charles Dickens’ classic tale to life as Ebenezer Scrooge is guided by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future toward a long-overdue change of heart. With Friday and Saturday evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m., it’s a must-see holiday favorite for audiences of all ages. Tickets are available for purchase online.
December 5-6
Rockport Tropical Christmas Festival
Rockport’s Tropical Christmas Festival brings two days of festive fun this weekend. On Friday at 7 p.m., the celebration begins at Rockport Beach Park with the Illuminated Night Parade, the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree and a glowing LED Night Kite Display by the Surfside Flyers Kite Club, all capped off with fireworks sparkling over the harbor. The merriment continues Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Rockport Festival Grounds with children’s activities, live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks and appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus and The Grinch.
December 6
Holidays on the Harbor
Downtown Corpus Christi continues its holiday festivities with Holidays on the Harbor this Saturday, where the 66-foot H-E-B Christmas Tree will light up Water’s Edge Park before the Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade sets sail along the Downtown Seawall. From 4 to 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy vendors, food trucks and the tree-lighting ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. The festive evening wraps with the illuminated boat parade at 7 p.m., as decorated vessels brighten the marina with holiday spirit.
December 6-7
Best in Texas Coastal Home Tour – Holiday Edition
Cinnamon Shore hosts its first-ever Best in Texas Coastal Home Tour – Holiday Edition this weekend, inviting the public to step inside beautifully decorated homes for a festive two-day experience. With crafts, photos with Santa, kid-friendly activities, hot cocoa and seasonal menus at on-site eateries, the event offers plenty of holiday inspiration and family fun. Tickets are $10, benefiting the Port Aransas Toy Roundup and Helping Hands Food Pantry. Home tour maps are available at 130 Speckled Egg Lane.
December 7
Sip & Shuck Oyster Farm Tour
The Scarlet Lady and Texas Clear Water Oyster Gardens team up for Sip & Shuck Tours, the first oyster farm boat tour of its kind in Texas. This two-hour experience includes a welcome glass of prosecco, a cruise to the oyster farm, a live mariculture presentation from co-owner Bill Strieber and freshly shucked oysters served onboard with a curated wine pairing. Guests can sit back, savor the flavors and enjoy coastal views throughout the tour.
All Weekend
Coastal Christmas
The 8th Annual Coastal Christmas celebration returns to the Hilliard Center, inviting families and friends to lace up their skates for a weekend of ice skating, holiday hits and seasonal fun. With hourly skate sessions, themed nights and free venue entry and parking, guests can enjoy the winter tradition at their own pace. Skating is available throughout the weekend, including a DJ Late Night Skate on Saturday, with tickets required only for those hitting the ice.
December 7
Holiday Market on Peppermint Lane
The Downtown Management District’s Holiday Market on Peppermint Lane takes place every Sunday through Dec. 21, bringing dozens of local vendors to the BUS terminal for local shopping and fun. From 2-7 p.m., visitors can browse gifts, enjoy holiday music, sip hot cocoa and take photos under the glowing downtown lights.
