Everyone’s getting New Year’s gifts from me this year. Yeah, that’s right, I procrastinated on my Christmas shopping this year (… not like anyone is surprised, right?). There’s still time to snag some last minute gifts, though! And, from all of us here at RightOn, we wish you the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of holidays. If you’re out and about this weekend braving the last-minute shoppers and the crowds, oh what fun you can get into around the Coastal Bend:
HOT YOGA, COLD BEER
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Nueces Brewing Company
Are you feeling a little downward dog? Mercury in retrograde got your chakras all out of alignment? Do you feel a little more limber with some liquid help? This donation-based class is held weekly in the brew room of Nueces Brewing. Grab a cold one for some hot yoga, and we promise you, you’ll feel like a happy baby in no time. 
GAMESHOW KARAOKE WITH KAT AND HEIDI
Friday, 9 p.m.
House of Rock
Put your karaoke skills to the test and win some prizes at Gameshow Karaoke! Hand me the mic and move over Jimmy Fallon; I’m all about sangin’ my way to the top. Contestants will sing a song of their choice from wherever the roulette wheel lands; impress the audience and move up the ranks. Competition starts at 10 p.m. sharp, so get to House of Rock early to sign up! Did we mention the cash prizes?
HOLLY-DAYS AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Friday, 6-7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
South Texas Botanical Gardens
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: the Holly-days run through Saturday.
SOLD OUT: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
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.
WINTER WONDERETTES
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Aurora Arts Theatre
Are you ready for the Christmas season? Kick it off with a showing of the ‘Winter Wonderettes’ at Aurora Arts Theatre. Jam along to the ’60’s versions of your favorite holiday classics, like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Run, Run, Rudolph,” as the Wonderettes go on a search to find Santa when he turns up missing. This family-friendly show runs through the holiday season.
COASTAL CHRISTMAS
Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
American Bank Center
Strap on some skates and glide through American Bank Center’s winter wonderland. Bring the whole family to grab your holiday photos with Santa. Warm up (after skating or after braving the arctic blast outside) with hot cocoa. Don’t procrastinate (like I’ll probably do with my Christmas shopping) and miss out – this event only comes once a year.
H-E-B FEAST OF SHARING
Saturday, 11 a.m.
American Bank Center
Every year, H-E-B hosts a free meal at its annual Feast of Sharing. The event will also feature live music, arts and crafts, children’s activities and entertainment for the whole family. No wonder us Texans are spoiled: No store does more, am I right? Find a full list of events here.
ROCK N ROLL FLEA MARKET
Saturday, 11 a.m.
House of Rock
Get ready to rock, errr, shop at this installment of the Rock N Roll flea market. Snag that rockin’ merch from vinyls and CDs to tees, and everything else you need to add to your collection (or grab that last-minute gift)! Stop by House of Rock on Saturday to shop small and support local vendors – what could be more metal than that?
DECORATE YOUR COOKIES FOR SANTA
Saturday, 2 p.m.
The Galley Bistro and Bake Shop
The Big Man is coming to town Sunday night, and you know just how to greet him: with cookies! Is your pantry looking a little low? Or did you completely forget? Grab the kiddos and head over The Galley to decorate some cookies that will lock in your places on the nice list when jolly ol’ St. Nick sees them waiting for him.
VINYL NIGHT EIGHT YEAR CELEBRATION
Saturday, 3 p.m.
Rebel Toad Brewing Co.
Don’t let the construction stop you from celebrating eight years of Rebel Toad! Grab your ugliest sweater and head over to the brewery for a Bourbon Barrel Aged Angry Man Porter release, great tunes, and delicious noms by Sweet Bay EX Eats.
XMAS PAJAMA PARTY
Saturday, 9 p.m.
The Exchange
Cruise into the holiday weekend in your jammies with Crosstown Expressway. Put those Christmas pajamas to work for more than just family photos this year and get lit with the jamily.
HOUSE OF ROCK TAMAL DINNER
Sunday, 8:30 p.m.
House of Rock
It’s not Christmastime in South Texas without tamales. Don’t have an abuelita or tia plug for those sweet goods? Just want to celebrate the holiday with family of your choosing? House of Rock has got you covered. Head downtown Christmas eve for the annual tamal dinner. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and dinner’s at 9. While you’re there, try your hand at guessing how many Lone Stars were downed to make that epic can tree (and maybe even down some Lone Stars with your meal!)
Hey besties! I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend, with lots of food, family and gifts. Follow us for your New Year’s Eve plans (and maybe I’ll get them out earlier this week). Know of any cool things happening? Drop this events writer a line at diandraspicak@gmail.com, or find me on Instagram @deeanndruh or on Facebook. And, as always, email us at righton@rightoncorpus.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @rightoncorpus, and DM us there, too! We’re always looking for new things around the Coastal Bend.
