Make plans to attend these holiday events in the Coastal Bend

Reporting by John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times

The end of the year is approaching, which means there are plenty of holiday events in the Coastal Bend to check out.

From meeting Santa Claus at La Palmera mall to ice skating in Portland, there are tons of family-friendly events to put you in the holiday mood — and even some to help with gift shopping.

Holiday events in the Coastal Bend in November

Nov. 14

• Christmas Market: Head to the Christmas Market for some holiday shopping at Cotton Branch Farms at 3972 CR 44 in Robstown. Time: 5 to 10 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: facebook.com/CottonBranchFarms.

Nov. 20

• “A Christmas Carol”: Join Harbor Playhouse for its annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” based on the story by author Charles Dickens, at 1802 N. Chaparral St. The show runs through Dec. 20. Time: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays. Cost: $20. Information: harborplayhouse.com.
• “Frozen”: Aurora Arts Theatre will bring “Frozen,” based on the 2013 Disney film, to its stage at 5635 Everhart Road. The show runs through Jan. 2. Time: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays. Cost: $20. Information: auroraartstheatre.com.

Nov. 27

• Ice skating in Portland: From Nov. 27 through Jan. 3, strap on your skates and take a spin around the ice skating rink at Fifth & Elm at 201 Fifth St. in Portland. Times and dates vary throughout the three months. Cost: $10. Information: portlandtx.gov/christmas.

Events in December

Dec. 3

• “Winter Wonderettes”: Join Port Aransas Community Theatre for its production of “Winter Wonderettes” at 2327 TX-361 in Port Aransas. The Wonderettes have to entertain the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party, but when Santa turns up missing, they have to use their musical talent to save the shindig. The musical runs through Dec. 20. Time: 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Cost: $24.23. Information: portaransascommunitytheatre.com.

Dec. 5

• Portland Holiday Farmers Market: Shop local goodies and find gifts at Fifth & Elm at 201 Fifth St. in Portland. Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: portlandtx.gov/christmas.
• H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting: Head to downtown Corpus Christi for the ninth annual lighting ceremony of H-E-B’s 66-foot Christmas tree at Water’s Edge Park at 602 S. Shoreline Blvd. Enjoy music, vendors and food trucks to keep the night lively as the lit tree sparkles next to the waterfront. Time: 4 to 8 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: downtowncorpuschristi.org.
• Tree Lighting & Christmas in Portland: Watch as Portland Mayor John Green lights the city’s Christmas tree, then enjoy photos with Santa Claus, crafts, games and more at the Portland Community Center at 2000 Billy G. Webb Drive in Portland. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: portlandtx.gov/christmas.
• Illuminated Boat Parade: After Corpus Christi’s tree gets lit, head down to the seawall to watch a variety of beautifully decorated boats cruise around Corpus Christi Bay at the Illuminated Boat Parade. Time: 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: downtowncorpuschristi.org.

Dec. 7

• Parade of Lights: Find your spot and wave to Santa Claus as he rolls through Portland. The parade will take route along Memorial Parkway, Billy G. Webb Drive, Cedar Drive, Lang Road and Wildcat Drive, so be sure to find a good spot along those streets. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: portlandtx.gov/christmas.

Dec. 10

• Christmas in Fulton: Spend your evening kicking off the holiday season at the Christmas in Fulton event at the Fulton Convention Center at 381 Deforest Loop in Fulton. Enjoy hot cocoa, snacks, live entertainment, Santa Claus, prize drawings and more. Time: 5:30 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: facebook.com/thetownof.fulton.

Dec. 12

• Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy pancakes, making a craft and snapping a photo with Santa Claus at the Portland Community Center at 2000 Billy G. Webb Drive in Portland. Two sessions will be available, and attendees must register before arriving to guarantee a spot. Time: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Cost: $15 for children; $8 for adults. Information/registration: portlandtx.gov/christmas.
• Navidad de los Niños: Join the Westside Business Association for its 43rd annual Navidad de los Niños at the Antonio E. Garcia Arts & Education Center at 2021 Agnes St. The event provides children with a day of Christmas activities, pictures with Santa Claus, candy, toys, games and more. Time: 10 a.m. Cost: Free. Information: wba-cc.org.
• Illuminated Tinsel Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run: Light yourself up, and the streets of Portland, at the annual Illuminated Tinsel Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run at Fifth & Elm at 201 Fifth St. in Portland. Every runner will receive a free T-shirt and a finisher medal; the first 100 adults to finish will receive a ticket voucher for the Christmas on the Coast concert Dec. 18 in Portland. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: $25 to $40 to register. Information: portlandtx.gov/christmas.
• “The Nutcracker”: Corpus Christi Ballet will present its annual performance of “The Nutcracker” at the Hilliard Center at 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd. Set on Christmas Eve, the story centers on Clara, a young girl who witnesses the battle between the Nutcracker and the Rat King and journeys to the mystical Kingdom of Sweets. Time: 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and Dec. 19; 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. Cost: $22.95 to $35.10. Information: hilliardcenter.com.

Dec. 18

• Christmas on the Coast Concert: Enjoy a special acoustic performance from country artist Randy Rogers at Fifth & Elm at 201 Fifth St. in Portland. Time: 6:30 p.m. Cost: $20 to $250. Information: portlandtx.gov/christmas.

Dec. 21

• “A Celtic Christmas”: A Taste of Ireland Co. will show its holiday spectacular, “A Celtic Christmas,” at the Hilliard Center at 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd. Watch as world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, acapella tap battles and heartwarming storytelling in an unforgettable performance. Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $63.10 to $108.05. Information: hilliardcenter.com.

Dec. 26

• “Abuelita’s Christmas Carol”: Playwright and actor Alex Garza returns to the Aurora Arts Theatre with a play written about his family and, most importantly, Rosa Hinojosa, his maternal grandmother, at 5635 Everhart Road. Time: 2:30 p.m. Cost: $10. Information: auroraartstheatre.com.

Starting in January

Jan. 1

• Corpus Christi Polar Bear Plunge: Start your new year with a splash into Corpus Christi Bay to “freeze out” ALS at 200 Paul Place. Each registration includes a souvenir T-shirt or baseball cap (while supplies last), a decal, a drink and access to the post-plunge hot tub and snack buffet. All proceeds go toward ALS TDI, an A-rated nonprofit working to find a cure for ALS. Time: 10:30 a.m. Cost: $20 to $30. Information: polarbearplunge.cc.

John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times.

Related: Here are five places to find pan dulce in Corpus Christi