The Corpus Christi Ballet performs scenes from The Nutcracker at La Palmera Mall in Corpus Christi, Dec. 2013. Courtesy Photo
You can't help but get in the holiday spirit in the Coastal Bend with so many Christmas events throughout the month. The Harbor Lights Festival in Corpus Christi takes over downtown on Saturday, Dec. 6, while Corpus Christi Ballet fans should hurry to get tickets for his year's only four performances of The Nutcracker, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21.Don't forget, Santa and a new Holiday Light Spectacular at La Palmera Mall. The light show runs through Dec. 12, while Santa will be on hand for pictures and to hear youngsters' last-minute requests until Dec. 24.Here are some of the other events happening in the area:Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Dec 1-14
4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Harbor Playhouse
1 Bayfront Park
Corpus Christi
harborplayhouse.com
Join Mrs. Claus for hot chocolate and cookies in the Harbor Playhouse lobby for this pay-what-you-can event. All donations will go toward the Young People Theatre program at Harbor Play House. Bring your own book to read along with Mrs. Claus.
Families are asked to reserve their seats to ensure enough treats are provided for everyone.Carolers Afloat & Boat Lighting Parade
Dec. 6, 6 p.m.
Robert’s Point Park.
Port Aransas
Carolers on boats cruise the city harbor to spread holiday cheer.Tropical Christmas Festival
Dec. 6, all day
Downtown Heritage District and Rockport Harbor
Rockport
A full day of free, family-friendly activities in the Downtown Heritage District, Rockport Harbor Area and Rockport Beach Park. Take a Volksmarch through the city, attend a birding seminar or take your kids to a variety of activities. Also includes an arts and crafts sale, live entertainment, a special pet parade, sidewalk chalk art in the band shell at Rockport Beach Park, the Run for Treasure Beach Hunt, a lighting of the children's 75-foot Christmas tree, a kids ornament workshop and photos with Tropical Santa. All that fun is topped off with the Illuminated Land Parade and fireworks display.La Posada Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m.
Padre Island Yacht Club
North Padre Island, Corpus Christi
The Padre Island Yacht Club teams up with the Yorktown Fire Department in Flour Bluff to present the land-based Christmas Parade on Dec. 8. The parade begins at the Briscoe King Pavilian parking lot at 15820 SPID. Golf cart, ATV and beach buggy owners will join Yorktown Fire Chief Dale Scott in touring the streets and handing out candy to kids. The group also collects toys for the U.S. Marine's Toys for Tots campaign.Christmas Around the World Christmas Tree Forest
Now through Dec. 17
Family free day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 13
Art Museum of South Texas
1902 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi
See Christmas through a cultural lens. Thirty school groups were selected to trim a tree based on research of a chosen country's holiday traditions. Trees will be donated to families in need once the exhibit closes.
