The countdown is on: We’re eight days into our advent calendars. Christmas Eve is just over two weeks away. And, it feels like we’re still in September. There’s plenty to do outside this weekend to take advantage of the temps – from another lighted boat parade to touring the botanical gardens. Personally, I’m going to hang on to the flip flops and shorts for as long as possible. But be sure to bring an umbrella just in case you get caught in a passing shower!
LA PALMERA HOLIDAY HUNT
Thursday, 6 p.m.
La Palmera
A scavenger hunt with a prize haul valued up to $1000, you say? It’s on like Donkey Kong! Log on to the Holiday Hunt’s Facebook event at 6 p.m. Thursday to get clues. QR codes are posted outside of stores and eateries in the mall. First person to solve the clues and take selfies at each station wins. May the odds be ever in your favor. 
LA POSADA BOAT PARADE
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Sunset Island, Snoopy’s
Float on down to the island to “ooh” and “ahh” over the La Posada Illuminated Boat Parade! We’re unabashedly big fans of parades (I mean, who isn’t??), and this one supports a good cause: Toys for Tots. The parade starts at Snoopy’s where you can reserve a waterfront table for $35 a person (includes an entree and a soft drink). Then, belt it out with some karaoke – dibs on ‘All I Want for Christmas is You.’
SUDS WITH SANTA & PRESENTS AND PINTS
Friday, 6 p.m.
Lazy Beach Brewing
Raise your pint glass and raise funds for charity. Snap a photo with Santa at Lazy Beach this Friday – all for the cost of a donation to CASA! Get that matching red flush (surely, Santa’s can’t just from the cold, right?) by bringing an unwrapped toy – and get a free beer from Taylor Made Realty. And don’t forget the furbabies: bring dry and wet dog food for People Assisting Animal Control’s dog food drive. One stop, three charities and three ways to make any Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
SIGHTSEEING TOUR/BOOZE CRUISE
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Downtown
Tired of bar-hopping the old-fashioned way? Book a downtown jaunt with Blue Pedal Lounge’s 16-passenger bicycle pub. That’s right – you’re literally boozin’ and cruisin’. And, with that big Christmas dinner coming up, I’m looking for inventive ways to burn calories (don’t remind me that I’m just putting them back with every drink). BYOBeer – or enjoy one on the pedal pub while supplies last.
HOLLY-DAYS AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Friday, 6-7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Botanical Gardens
I get it: it’s still a little too warm to feel HOLLY jolly quite yet. But before that holiday blues becomes EVERGREEN, maybe it’s time to SPRUCE up your weekend with a trip to the Botanical Gardens! Check out the gardens’ tree and light displays, as well as environmental artist Sheila Rogers’ “Eco Christmas Tree.” This family-friendly event features photo opportunities with parrots (reservations required) and Santa, a hayride and a petting zoo. Grab some s’mores and cocoa and slither over to the reptile room. The good time won’t be around FIR long: you have this weekend and next to attend!
FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE ART MUSEUM
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Art Museum of South Texas
Prefer your Christmas tree forest indoors? Stop by the Art Museum for their free family fun day! Take a look – they’re outside of books: the trees, decorated by local schools and groups, draw inspiration from children’s literature and will tickle every bookworm, or non-reader’s, fancy. In the wise words of Sam, I Am: “You may like them. You will see. You may like them in a tree!” Vote for your favorite – the top three vote-getters win a gift card to H-E-B. Trees are on display through Dec. 14.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS POPS CONCERT
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
TAMUCC Performing Arts Center
It’s time to rock around the Christmas tree! Get those sleigh bells jingling and mosey over to the TAMUCC Performing Arts center for a holiday concert presented by the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Join three local choirs to sing a sleighin’ song that night. Tickets are $15 for students, and adult tickets range from $25 to $90. Don’t have a blue Christmas and miss out on this family tradition!
THE NUTCRACKER
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Selena Auditorium
You won’t need to put on your dancing shoes to get visions of sugar plum fairies dancing around your head. Just gather the family for the Corpus Christi Ballet’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” (No, not those kinds of nuts, ya filthy animal.) Get your tickets for one of the two shows this weekend.
CHRISTMAS MAKERS MARKET AND TOY DRIVE
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Downtown
Support local artisans and vendors while grabbing a cold one at the Christmas Makers Market at Nueces Brewing. Bring a toy and you can put your own artistic skills to the test by decorating a homemade gingerbread man – or, you can enjoy that beer while the kiddos decorate. Or y’all can arm wrestle as to who gets to decorate it. We won’t judge.
PEPPERMINT LANE HOLIDAY MARKET
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Downtown
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … shopping! Grab some hot cocoa and shop local with dozens of vendors and small businesses at the Peppermint Lane Holiday Market. Snap some selfies with Santa and the Grinch while you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones … or while you’re treating your ‘elf’. The market runs every Sunday until Dec. 18.
*** THINGS THAT ARE SOLD OUT BUT MAKE US SAD THAT THEY’RE SOLD OUT ***
A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Aurora Arts Theatre
I triple-dog-dare you to pass up on seeing this musical. Tickets are $20 a seat to see this holiday movie classic slide onto the stage at Aurora Arts Theatre. All of the classic scenes are there – including that beloved leg lamp. (… I love lamp.) Hopefully no one shoots your eye out at one of the showings this weekend.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Harbor Playhouse
Don’t Scrooge around and miss out on this timeless holiday classic. Tiny Tim will never forgive you if you don’t grab a ticket and catch a showing of the Harbor Playhouse’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” Don’t let the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future show you what you missed out on this holiday season.
