Seasons & Holidays

Traditions anchor here. 

The sand may brush off and the tans may fade, but those holiday memories you make in Port A will last forever. This coastal town evokes the nostalgia visitors have about family trips spanning back generations while simultaneously inviting first-time visitors to join in on new holiday memories. So what are you waiting for? Bring the whole family, or the friends that have become your family, to Port Aransas this holiday season and start forming your traditions! With plenty of room in an airy beach house for all your guests to spread out, it will be a no-mess, no-stress celebration, so leave the ugly sweaters at home, trade in your cold-weather boots for flip flops, and swap the falling leaves for waving palm trees. It’s time to make your way to Port A.

Take Thanksgiving to the Coast

Family fun doesn’t have to end when the kids go back to school. Head down to Port A to bookend fall break with jet ski rides and seashell collecting, and upgrade your family’s Turkey Bowl venue to the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast. On that note, have you enjoyed your Thanksgiving meal while a sea breeze floats in through the patio doors?

Christmas The Island Way

That island Christmas spirit Bing Crosby sang about all those years ago flourishes here on Texas’s favorite island. The holiday festivities all kick off with the Golf Cart Holiday Parade. Throughout the season, visitors can snap a photo with the ever-impressive Sand Santa sculpture.

With vacation rentals big enough to accommodate even the largest families, it’s never been easier to gather everyone in one place to celebrate. Just as in holidays of yore, you can prepare all your favorite meals together, but in Port Aransas, that post-meal walk around the neighborhood can take place on the beach. The best part? All the rush and chaos surrounding the holidays melt away in Port Aransas’ island time.

Don't miss the Santa Soirée, a festive weekend filled with twinkling lights, seaside cheer, and holiday magic! The celebration includes the beloved Lighted Boat Parade, the dazzling Holiday Drone Show, the merry Holiday Shop Around, and this year’s newest addition, Bingo Bells!

Celebrate the season by exploring beautifully styled coastal homes at the “Tour of Coastal Homes for the Holidays” at Cinnamon Shore on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7. As part of the festivities surrounding Shimmer at the Shore, visitors will have an exclusive chance to walk through a stunning Gulf-front residence at 116 Charming Lane and over a dozen other beach homes, each decked out in holiday décor and high-design finishes. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit a local toy drive and food pantry, putting a little extra joy into the season.

New Year's Eve by the Sea

Ring in the new year with style—choose to watch the festive fireworks show over the water at Roberts Point Park, or board a special New Year's cruise aboard the Scarlet Lady for champagne, dolphins, and fireworks lighting up the Gulf.

Whatever your holiday traditions happen to be, they are sure to be even more memorable in Port Aransas. With miles of beachline waiting for cozy morning walks, adventure-filled afternoons, and bonfire-lit evenings, there’s no better place to anchor your new holiday tradition than in Port Aransas.

Looking for Holiday Events?

See the full list of holiday events in Port Aransas below!

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