Dr. Suess was just one of the favorite children’s books that made its way onto a Christmas tree at the Art Museum of South Texas. Be sure to clear off all decorations before taking your tree to be recycled. Photo by Carrie Robertson Meyer/Third Coast Photo
It’s Christmas time on the coast, where Santa dons scuba gear to feed the fish in the Texas State Aquarium and boaters string garland and lights both fore and aft to light up the shoreline. Check out this partial list of some of the top Coastal Bend holidays happenings, but be sure to go online at 101corpuschristi.com/EVENTS for a full, interactive list of events. Build family traditions by emailing details to your guest list directly from the website. Visit 101corpuschristi.com/EVENTS to plan your holiday events by clicking on ”Add to My Calendar.” Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, from Corpus Christi Business News.
NOW-WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16
A Reading Wonderland Christmas tree forest
10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (closed Mondays)
Art Museum of South Texas
1902 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi
Take a walk through A Reading Wonderland of Christmas trees decorated by Corpus Christi schoolchildren to the themes of award-winning children’s books, including “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Cat in the Hat,” “Where the Wild Things Are” and more. Trees and decorations will be donated to families in need. Museum visitors are asked to vote on their favorite tree. The winning decorators win H-E-B gift cards.
THURSDAY, DEC. 3
Holiday Spectacular concert
7:30 p.m.
Del Mar College, Richardson Performance Hall
101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi
Ring in the season with music ensembles and sing-alongs. The free performance begins with a pre-concert featuring the College’s Brass and String Ensembles in the lobby. The Low Brass Ensemble and Jazz Quartet will perform a pre-concert. The departmental concert begins at 7:30 p.m. This will be the last concert for Del Mar College choral director Dennis Richardson.
SATURDAY, DEC. 5
Harbor Lights Festival
1-9 p.m.
Shoreline Boulevard, Corpus Christi
The 34th annual Harbor Lights Festival is Corpus Christi’s unique celebration to light up the holiday season. The fun begins at 1 p.m. with the Children's Parade along Shoreline Boulevard. A children's activity area opens at 3 p.m. along with live music on the main entertainment stage. The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. followed by Santa's Snowball Express Motorcade at 6:45 p.m. and a concert at 7 p.m. The Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade circles from the Peoples Street T-Head to the Lawrence Street T-Head beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Port Royal Christmas tree lighting
5-6 p.m.
Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center
6317 Texas 361, Port Aransas
Join Santa from 5-6 p.m. as he lights the tree. Enjoy live music, entertainment, hot cocoa and photos with Santa. Bring an unwrapped toy to this free event that will be donated to Toys for Tots. Marines supporting the Toys for Tots will collect the toys during the event.
SUNDAY, DEC. 6
Christmas Land Parade with the fire department
6 p.m.
Briscoe King Pavilion
5820 SPID, Corpus Christi
Firetrucks bring Santa to Padre Island in a holiday parade starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 6. As part of the city of Corpus Christi’s La Posada events, the parade’s purpose includes collecting toys and cash donations for the Marine’s Toys for Tots campaign.
Handel’s Messiah
3 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
900 S. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi
This annual performance by volunteers is a gift to the community from First United Methodist Church. Performance will be in the sanctuary.
FRIDAY, DEC. 11, TO SATURDAY, DEC. 12
6 p.m. both nights
La Posada Lighted Boat Parades
Canals of the Laguna Madre, Corpus Christi
Each year, two evenings are selected FOR holiday boat parades, each on a different route and both beginning at 6 p.m. The north canal route is a smaller venue held on Friday, while the Saturday parade will sail along the south canal route. The biggest of the two, the Saturday boat parade, includes 40-50 boats competing for best decorations. Bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Marine’s Toys for Tots campaign.
DEC. 12–24
Scuba Santa
10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Texas State Aquarium
2710 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi
Scuba Santa takes over the feeding of the fishes in the Flower Garden exhibit at the Texas State Aquarium for the holiday season.
FRIDAY, JAN. 1, 2016
12-1 p.m.
Polar Bear Plunge
North Beach in front of Fajitaville
221 S. Hotel Place, Corpus Christi
Start off the New Year with a freezing plunge into the bay waters along North Beach. Jump in, dry off, then enjoy a hot lunch and drink at Fajitaville, all included in your registration (polarbearplunge.cc). Proceeds benefit the ALS Therapy Development Institute.
