Visit Corpus Christi

Merry Days by the Bay — A Corpus Christi Holiday Guide

Discover the ultimate holiday season in Corpus Christi. This guide brings together winter events for visitors of every age in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Your Holiday Guide to Corpus Christi

Celebrate the season along the Texas coast during the 2025 holiday season. Corpus Christi offers festive experiences ranging from coastal Santas and glittering holiday markets to larger-than-life light displays. The Gulf Coast Capital is full of seasonal events for the entire family. Bring your loved ones together for memorable holiday adventures and merry moments by the bay.

Holiday Inspiration in Corpus Christi

12 Days of Christmas in Corpus Christi

Palm tree skies, surfin' Santas, and beloved Tex-Mex traditions give coastal celebrations their distinctive flavor. These 12 ideas offer ways to enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas in Corpus Christi.

Holiday Shows in Corpus Christi

The holiday season brings opportunities to experience festive shows and embrace the spirit of the season in Corpus Christi.

Where to See Holiday Lights in Corpus Christi

Get into the holiday mood by visiting locally loved locations throughout Corpus Christi that shine with seasonal lights.

Holiday Boat Parades in Corpus Christi

As the most wonderful time of the year approaches, Corpus Christi’s waterways become the setting for festive illuminated boat parades.

Artesian Park Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland Light Displays

November 7, 2025 - January 6, 2026

Downtown Corpus Christi comes alive with holiday brightness at Artesian Park. Walk through the illuminated Winter Wonderland, admire the festive decorations, and enjoy the warmth of the season. The holiday celebration begins with the Port of Corpus Christi Holiday Tree Lighting during First Friday Artwalk, featuring live music, local vendors, and a visit from Santa. It is a community-centered celebration of lights and holiday magic in the heart of Downtown Corpus Christi.

Port of Corpus Christi Holiday Tree in Artesian Park

Friday, November 7, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Visit Artesian Park to see the 18-foot holiday tree up close. The tree features 700 lights, 250 ornaments, and a hanging ornament sky. After taking a photo, enjoy dinner at one of the delicious downtown local restaurants.

Event Highlights

Peppermint Lane

Peppermint Lane Lighting Ceremony

November 16, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.

Beginning November 1, Chaparral Street from Taylor to Lomax streets will be decorated with festive red and white garland and bright peppermint accents. The official lighting ceremony takes place during the Holiday Market on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy food truck offerings, explore pop-up vendors, and take festive family photos. Downtown Corpus Christi becomes a seasonal shopping destination filled with holiday spirit and community energy.

Peppermint Lane Holiday Market

BUS | Sundays in November & December | 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Presented by the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District, the Holiday Market on Peppermint Lane turns Downtown Corpus Christi into a festive place to shop. The market is held at the Bar Under the Sun (BUS) terminal on select Sundays in November and December. On November 16, 23, 30, and December 7 and 21, it runs from 2:00 –7:00 p.m.

The market includes local food trucks, distinctive pop-up vendors, and holiday photo opportunities for the whole family. The Peppermint Lane Lighting Ceremony presented by AEP Texas takes place on November 16, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., officially opening the holiday season in Downtown Corpus Christi.

Mayor Guajardo's Sparkling Christmas Contest

Mayor's Sparkling Christmas Lights Contest

Friday, December 5, 2025

Downtown Corpus Christi takes on a festive look as businesses decorate their storefronts for the Mayor's Sparkling Christmas Lights Contest powered by AEP Foundation. Dozens of businesses will compete across five holiday categories, and visitors can vote for a favorite. The event also coincides with First Friday ArtWalk, bringing live music, seasonal specials, art exhibits, and parties to the streets.

Holidays on the Harbor

Celebrate the season with a coastal evening at Holidays on the Harbor. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the H-E-B Christmas Tree will light up at Water’s Edge Park before the Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade brightens the bay. Decorated boats move along the seawall while guests enjoy festive views, local food trucks, and holiday cheer. It is an inviting way for family and friends to gather in Downtown Corpus Christi.

H-E-B Christmas Tree Schedule

4:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Water's Edge Park

Illuminated Boat Parade

7:00 p.m. | Downtown Seawall

Downtown Corpus Christi glows beneath the evening sky as illuminated boats enter the Marina and carry holiday spirit across the water. Boaters from Corpus Christi and beyond will sail through a sea of lights while competing to present the season’s most festive vessel.

Holly Jolly Barhop

Holly Jolly Bar Hop

December 12 - 23, 2025 | Downtown

Family and friends can enjoy a holiday-themed evening moving through Downtown Corpus Christi. Seasonal signature cocktails and non-alcoholic options are available as guests visit cozy pubs decorated with twinkling lights and cheerful holiday décor. Each stop offers a merry atmosphere, opportunities to make memories, and a celebration of community in the heart of downtown.

Merry & More - A Holiday Block Party

Friday, December 19, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Merry & More - A Holiday Block Party is a festive celebration presented by H-E-B in partnership with the City of Corpus Christi, Visit Corpus Christi, downtown Corpus Christi, and local museums. Hosted at the Corpus Christi Watergarden, this family-friendly event includes photos with Santa, interactive museum experiences, live entertainment, seasonal giveaways, and activities for children. The event is free and open to everyone.

Enjoy

Seasonal Events

Use Corpus Christi's citywide event calendar to plan a visit during the city’s merriest season. Local events are taking place in November and December 2025.

More Holiday Planning

Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day in Corpus Christi

Enjoy a festive meal at a local restaurant this holiday season instead of cooking. Visitors in Corpus Christi can find dining options open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

New Year, New Things To Do In Corpus Christi

The new year brings fresh adventures, and the Gulf Coast Capital offers plenty of ways to experience Corpus Christi in the season ahead.

Places to Stay

Corpus Christi offers accommodations for many travel preferences and budgets, including full-service and beachside hotels, beachfront resorts, cozy vacation rentals, and budget-friendly options. The available stays combine comfortable spaces, convenient locations, and amenities designed to make a trip easy and enjoyable.

Visit the Your Holiday Guide to Corpus Christi, Texas page →