Happy Tuesday, Corpus Christi. In today’s edition: Holiday home tour, letters to Santa, holidays on the harbor tree lighting and boat parade, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Leadership change announced: The Diocese of Corpus Christi announced Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Mario Alberto Avilés as its ninth bishop, succeeding Bishop Mulvey. Avilés has served as Brownsville’s auxiliary bishop since 2018 — read the full story.

Nueces County housing snapshot: Nueces County’s October median listing price fell to $344,350, down 1.3% from the previous month, with homes spending a median 92 days on market and about 480 new listings — see how prices compare.

Restaurant build moves forward: Bob Hall Pier construction has been delayed to mid or late February 2026 due to unfinished precast beams, with installation slated for early December and damages expected for the contractor — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Experience ArtWalk in downtown Corpus Christi
• Celebrate harbor tree lighting and boat parade
• Run festive trails to support Rotary
• Join the Santa golf cart parade
• Experience holiday magic while empowering women
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

City coordinating with school: Heads up, Corpus Christi: road work on Norton Street near Sam Houston Elementary has shifted traffic to one-way westbound between Ramsey St. and Cambridge Dr. Access to the school and homes remains open. The project, part of water system upgrades, is expected to last into December. Plan extra time or detour. Get all the details.

Holiday tree buying made easy: With tree lots opening the Friday after Thanksgiving, here’s your quick guide to picking a winner: measure your space first, choose a tree that holds its needles, passes the gentle bounce test, and has flexible branches. Once home, set it in a sturdy stand and keep it watered all season. See how to pick one.

Burrito fix, solved: When the craving hits, Taqueria Jalisco serves a Jalisco Burrito smothered in enchilada gravy and melted cheddar. Prefer it saucy? Try salsa verde or chile con queso. Soft tortillas, big flavors, zero fuss… ideal midweek comfort that won’t derail your evening.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🖌️ Acrylic Fluid Art w/ Vanessa Spittler @ Art Center of Corpus Christi | Wednesday (12/3) at 5:00pm – Get satisfyingly messy with acrylic fluid art at the Art Center Bay View Gallery with Corpus Christi native Vanessa Spittler. Learn the paint formula, try a couple of pour techniques, pick your colors, and leave with a coastal-worthy abstract, all supplies included, wear paint clothes.

💌 Letters to Santa Presented by Kleberg Bank @ Streat Corner Kitchen | Wednesday (12/3) at 6:00pm – Load up the kiddos and head downtown to drop their wish lists straight into the big red mailbox bound for the North Pole—no stamp, no fuss, just pure Christmas magic. Streat Corner Kitchen has letter templates ready to go, so all they need to bring is their best handwriting and biggest holiday wishes.

🎊 The La Posada Kick-Off Party @ HardKnocks Sports Grill of Padre Island | Thursday (12/4) at 6:30pm – If you’ve been craving some grown-up fun, La Posada’s kick-off party delivers. Expect a lively crowd, a silent auction you’ll pretend you’re not competitive about, and plenty of mingle fuel. Dress decent, bring your checkbook, enjoy yourself.

🎨 Yuletide at the Art Center @ Art Center of Corpus Christi | Friday (12/5) at 4:00pm – Nothing kicks off the holidays like the H-E-B tree lighting and a boat parade glowing on the bay. The Art Center turns into kid heaven with free crafts, games, a petting zoo, and a million photo ops. You get sparkle, sea breeze, and sanity.

🎨 First Friday ArtWalk Downtown Corpus Christi| Friday (12/5) at 5:00pm – First Friday downtown means the city is out on foot again. Wander a 12-block ArtWalk that spills into two historic parks, with local art, live music, and food that justifies the steps. You’ll see half your neighbors and stay for dessert.

This weekend

🏠 Holiday Home Tour @ Cinnamon Shore | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Tour a curated lineup of drool-worthy Cinnamon Shore homes, open to mere mortals for one weekend only. It’s coastal Christmas done right, with twinkle lights, sea breezes, and zero parking-lot mall panic. Book a stay, linger a little, pretend you’re house shopping.

🏆 La Palmera’s Holiday Challenge @ La Palmera | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – The perfect excuse to linger in the La Palmera food court. Free three-round trivia and riddles with $300, $200, and $100 gift cards up for grabs, a grand prize haul with a Yeti cooler and chocolates, plus CCISD Day performances and giveaways.

⛵ Holidays on the Harbor: H-E-B Christmas Tree & Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade| Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Downtown is flipping the switch on the H-E-B Christmas tree, then sending a flotilla of twinkly boats gliding along the seawall. Bring your people, grab something from the food trucks, and enjoy peak Coastal Bend holiday vibes without wrestling your attic lights.

🎸 Eclipse – A Tribute To Journey @ Brewster Street Icehouse – Downtown | Saturday (12/6) at 9:00pm – This Journey tribute brings the big choruses, arena swagger, and zero airport parking, right to Ice House. Go GA and sing along, or snag a table if your knees prefer it, just know the standing-room faithful might block the view once the chorus hits.

🏺 Mud Magic: One Day Clay Class @ Art Center of Corpus Christi | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – Trade screen time for wheel time at the Art Center Clay Studio, a one-day clay fix where beginners thrive, and all supplies are covered. Spin a pot on pre-centered clay, try hand-building, then pick up your fired heirloom in a couple weeks. Ghost soundtrack optional.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Singo @ The Annex – 6 pm
• 12/2 Open Mic Night @ House of Rock – 6:30 pm
• 12/3 Eyes Set to Kill: Broken Frames 15th Anniversary Tour @ House of Rock – 6 pm
• 12/4 Limelight 80’s & 90’s Karaoke @ RETRO – 7 pm
• 12/4 Creed Fisher @ Brewster Street Downtown – 9 pm
• 12/6 Breakfast Bingo @ Chick-fil-A – 9 am
• 12/7 Punk Rock Karaoke @ House of Rock – 7 pm
• 12/10 Holiday Cheer Donation Dance @ Casa Ortiz – 7 pm
• 12/11 Jim Dugan @ Brewster Street Island – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Gabrielle Guernsey (Gene Guernsey & Assoc.Realtors)

Kings Crossing two-story brick, 4,324 square feet with 4 beds, 3.5 baths, and a 3-car garage. Chandelier foyer opens to a grand living room with media station, electric fireplace, and glass-display wet bar. Gourmet kitchen offers a big island, walk-in pantry, granite, stainless, plus a mud and desk zone. Two living and two dining spaces, plus a gym or office.

Primary suite opens to the backyard and features a spa bath and a closet with built-ins. Upstairs adds a game room and balcony with greenbelt views. Outside, a pool with shallow shelf, pavilion, outdoor kitchen, hoop, and covered patio.

Take a peek inside →