Good morning, Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi residents will enjoy a busy festive weekend from Nov 28 to Nov 30—events include Holly-Days at the Gardens with Santa visits, Letters to Santa downtown, holiday musicals at local theaters, and hockey with a food drive at the Hilliard Center.

The lineup also offers a Krampus photo shoot, a Polar Express movie night, and holiday markets with local vendors and seasonal treats.

Many groups are hosting holiday events to help local families—Esperanza de Tejas will hold its Christmas of Hope event on Dec.

19 while the Salvation Army collects wish list items until Dec. 12. H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing is set for Dec. 20 at the Hilliard Center, Catholic Charities runs a Community Christmas fundraiser from Dec. 16 to 18, and the Coastal Bend Food Bank continues its drive with toy drives detailed on page 44—offering several ways to give back this season.

Corpus Christi FC and Bella’Aroma Café have partnered to serve nearly 200 free Thanksgiving meals for local residents, showing strong support for the community.

The groups plan to provide warm holiday meals—helping families celebrate together.

Corpus Christi will welcome a new Gold’s Gym in 2026 at the corner of South Staples and Autotown.

The new franchise — led by owners with successful operations in Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley — will invest nearly one million dollars to transform an older building into a modern gym with the largest training floor in town.

Local shops in Corpus Christi will host Black Friday sales and Small Business Saturday events this weekend, offering vendor markets and special deals that give holiday shoppers many options.

Organizers have planned events at various locations with free gifts and live music—supporting local businesses during the holiday season.

Local gardeners are encouraged to plant butterfly weed now to attract Monarch butterflies during their spring migration—this hardy plant features orange flower clusters and a deep taproot that needs little water once established.

Its durability and past uses for rope making show how nature supports both beauty and history in the Coastal Bend.

One lane on South Staples Street is closed for utility repairs between Timbergate Drive and Lipes Boulevard—motorists must follow posted detour signs while work continues until December 2 and Gateway Drive remains open.

TAMUCC is offering simple tips to help people plan a healthier Thanksgiving dinner as the countdown begins—providing advice to balance festive meals.

With Thanksgiving approaching, Corpus Christi pet owners are warned that traditional foods like garlic-seasoned turkey, fatty meats, and brittle turkey bones can cause dangerous health problems — such as gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis.

Experts advise serving plain, dog-friendly alternatives to help prevent emergency vet visits.

Local bars are serving festive cocktails this winter—Nueces Whiskey Library, The Goldfish Bar, BUS, Gallery 41 and The Mariner offer creative drinks like the Frostini with Live Oak Vodka and a sparkling Partridge in a Pear Tree to add holiday cheer to your evenings.

Corpus Christi Turkey Chase 4 Miler

7:45 AM - 1:45 PM — Heritage Park — Register by November 10th — Participate in a festive run this Thanksgiving morning to support local community spirit.

Trisum Live Concert

7-11 p.m. — Brewster Street Icehouse - Southside — Free Admission — Enjoy a lively night of music with Trisum in a vibrant atmosphere.

Scarecrow Festival

7-11 p.m. — Brewster Street Icehouse - Southside — Free Admission — Enjoy a night of fun with the Scarecrow People at Brewster Street Icehouse.

Open Mic Night at House of Rock

6:30 p.m. — House of Rock — Free entry — Experience an unforgettable night showcasing music, comedy, and creativity hosted by Mattman.

Eyes Set To Kill Concert

6:00-7:30 PM — House of Rock — $51-$73 — Catch the energetic performance of Eyes Set To Kill live in Corpus Christi.

David Martinez Concert

7-11 p.m. — Brewster Street Icehouse - Southside — Free Admission — Enjoy a lively evening of music with David Martinez in concert.

Passing Strangers Concert

9 p.m. — Rockit's Whiskey Bar & Saloon — No cover — Enjoy a throwback night with high-energy 80s and 90s hits from Passing Strangers.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — House of Rock — $24.65 — Experience a passion-fueled performance by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus alongside special guests.

Python for Scientists Training Class

N/A — December 8-12 — Contractors Safety Council of the Coastal Bend, Inc. — $2250 — Gain hands-on Python programming skills for scientific applications.

Open Mic Night

6:30-9:30 p.m. — House of Rock — Free entry — A night of music, comedy, and creativity for performers and audiences alike.