Get ready to put on your holiday best and celebrate the season as only the Coastal Bend can. From Flamenco dancers to mariachi Christmas music to illuminated boats on parade, Corpus Christi puts the “sea” in season. 
The price of admission is cheap and optional: Bring a new, unwrapped toy to many of the events below and give it to a U.S. Marine for Toys for Tots. 
Find more events online at 101corpuschristi.com/EVENTS, where you can send details to family and friends and add dates and times directly to your digital calendars. It’s an instant holiday party planner in the palm of your hand.
SATURDAY, DEC. 3
HARBOR LIGHTS FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 
Bayshore Park and Marina, Downtown Corpus Christi
1 p.m. 
Children’s Parade
Santa joins the Fiesta Holiday-themed parade, which begins at Kinney Street and proceeds north on Shoreline Boulevard to Schatzell Street. 
3 p.m.
Children’s Activity and Fun Zone
The parade ends at the Children’s Fun Zone, where they can create holiday crafts, write letters to Santa and then pay him a personal visit! Activities also include face painting, cookie decorating, inflatable games and more. 
Gift of Love 
Kids play holiday bingo to win and wrap a gift of their own choosing for anyone they wish. 
Main Entertainment Stage
Mariachi and local bands send hearts soaring with holiday joy at the NEC Retail Entertainment Stage during the afternoon events at the Harbor Lights Festival. 
5:45 p.m. 
Santa’s Snowball Express Motorcade
Santa takes his traditional ride down Shoreline Boulevard with a parade, marching band and bagpipers. Parade ends at the tree-lighting ceremony.
6 p.m. 
Ceremonial Lighting of the Holiday Tree
Santa flips the switch to officially light up downtown Corpus Christi and kick the holiday season into high gear. Entertainment before and after.
7 p.m. Illuminated Boat Parade 
Captains and their crews aboard their decorated boats sing carols and collect toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program. Bring a toy to help provide a joyful holiday for 35,000 kids in need in the Coastal Bend. 

PORT ARANSAS

5:30 p.m. 
Caroler’s Afloat & Boat Lighting Parade
Port Aransas City Marina
J.C. Barr Boulevard
Port Aransas
Sing Christmas carols aboard boats decorated for the season or light up your own boat and cruise the city harbor in the city’s annual boat parade. Bring the children to visit Santa after the parade and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. 
SUNDAY, DEC. 4
10 a.m. 
Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
630 Ocean Drive
Ends at Concrete Street Theater 
700 Concrete Street
Rain or Shine, this parade goes on, collection toys and money for Toys for Tots. Donations are picked up along the parade route by members of the U.S. Marine Corps League and Reserves. Includes barbecue, live music and an auction. 
SATURDAY, DEC. 10
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ingleside Renaissance Faire
Live Oak Park
FM 1069 South on Port Avenue and Sherry
Ingleside
Stroll tree-lined paths as the past comes alive with jousting knights, pyro jugglers, belly dancers and the food, music, crafts and costumes of the Renaissance. 
SATURDAY, DEC. 17
8 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Scuba Santa at Texas State Aquarium
2710 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Scuba Santa takes over the duties of “Diver in the Water” in the Flower Gardens exhibit, taking the plunge, red suit and all, to feed the fish. Daily appearances are planned through Dec. 17. Times to be decided. 
11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Food Truck Christmas Village
Heritage Park
1581 N. Chaparral St. 
Shopping, photos with Santa, live music and food trucks everywhere. Christmas movies on the lawn along with tours of the historic homes in the park. 
SUNDAY, JAN. 1
Noon
Polar Bear Plunge
North Beach by the Fajitaville Grille
221 Hotel Place
Take the plunge and help freeze out ALS while celebrating the new year! Money raised goes to ALS Therapy Development Institute. Register at polarbearplunge.cc.

MONTHLY EVENTS

ArtWalk
Friday, Dec. 2, 5-9 p.m.
On the first Friday of every month, the Marina Arts District in downtown Corpus Christi fills with artists, musicians, vendors, family activities and food at La Retama Park.
BridgeWalk 
Sunday, Dec. 4, 8:30 a.m.-noon
Registration begins at Heritage Park at 8:30 a.m. to walk the Harbor Bridge or along the seawall for about three miles each. Walks end with free classes in yoga, Zumba, tai chi and more. 
Centennial House Tours: The Britton-Evans House
411 Upper Broadway
Sunday, Dec. 4, noon
Built in 1849 by Forbes and Rebecca Britton on land acquired from Corpus Christi’s founder, Col. Henry Kinney, Centennial House opens for tours on the first Sunday of the month. Tours are $3 for adults and $1 for ages 11 and younger. Call (361) 882-8691.

WEEKLY EVENTS

Downtown Farmers Market
Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m.
Art Center of Corpus Christi, 100 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Live music, food, seasonal produce, meats, eggs, activities and more. 
Southside Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
Everhart Market Shopping Center, 5800 Everhart
Open year-round. Early birds get the best selection. 

START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT

SUNDAY, JAN. 1
8:30 a.m. 
BridgeWalk
In 2017, the annual New Year’s Day BridgeWalk falls on the first Sunday of the month. Take the three-mile hike over the bridge and back — or along the seawall — before heading over to North Beach for the Polar Bear Plunge at noon. 
Noon
Polar Bear Plunge
North Beach by the Fajitaville Grille
221 Hotel Place
Take the plunge and help freeze out ALS while celebrating the new year! Money raised goes to ALS Therapy Development Institute. Register at polarbearplunge.cc