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.

Seaside Spooky Season

Things are getting a little spookier by the sea this Halloween! Whether you’re cruising the island in costume, soaking up the fall sunshine, or enjoying a hauntingly good time with the whole crew, there’s plenty of Halloween spirit to go around. And because pumpkins look a little different at the beach, don’t miss the Sand Pumpkin Patch, where Halloween gets an island-inspired twist with pumpkins carved from sand. So grab your boos, head to the coast, and get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween in Port Aransas!

Find more than just a seaside scare with Beachtober all of October! Spend the month catching live music during Beachtober Beats, tasting your way around the island on the Taco and Margarita Trail and Sweet Traditions Trail, scoring island finds during Shoptober, or hitting the sand for Flynn’s Beach Run. With plenty of sunshine, coastal flavors, live entertainment, and island adventures, fall is just another reason to make your way to Port A.

Give Thanks on Island Time

Thanksgiving in Port Aransas means swapping chilly fall weather for Gulf breezes, sandy toes, and quality time with the people you love most. Spend the holiday cruising the water on a boat tour, collecting seashells along the shore, or simply soaking up a beautiful fall day on the beach.

Before settling in for the big meal, start Thanksgiving morning with a little island fun at the Turkey Trot. Then, trade the traditional dining room for a table by the coast, where fresh Gulf air and waterfront views make Thanksgiving dinner even better. However you spend the holiday, Port A is the perfect place to gather, give thanks, and make a few new family traditions along the way.

Christmas the Island Way

Kick off the festivities with the Golf Cart Holiday Parade, and be sure to stop by Sand Santa for a holiday photo you could only get in Port A. The fun continues with Santa Soirée, a festive weekend filled with seaside cheer and holiday magic. Watch the harbor glow during the Lighted Boat Parade, look to the sky for the dazzling Holiday Drone Show, find something special during the Holiday Shop Around, and join in the fun at Bingo Bells.

Between the festivities, there’s plenty of time to slow down and enjoy the season together. Gather the whole family in a spacious vacation rental, cook your favorite holiday dishes, and swap that post-dinner neighborhood walk for a stroll along the beach. With fewer winter layers and a little more sand, celebrating Christmas in Port Aransas makes it easy to leave the holiday rush behind.

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 may be, they’re even more magical on island time. Picture slow mornings walking the shoreline with a warm cup of coffee, afternoons filled with sunshine and salty Gulf breezes, and evenings gathered around a crackling beach bonfire as the sun sets over the island. Add twinkling lights, festive golf carts, fresh coastal flavors, and plenty of time with the people you love, and the holidays start to feel a little brighter. Whether you’re bringing a favorite tradition to the coast or starting a brand-new one, Port Aransas is the perfect place to make memories you’ll look forward to year after year.

Looking for Holiday Events?

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

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