If you are in the mood this year for a new kind of family tradition for the holidays look no further than South Padre Island. South Padre Island has been one of the top destinations in Texas year after year especially if you are in the mood for plenty of sunshine and cool sea breezes. The fun doesn’t end during the winter as our travel destination features exciting events and activities to celebrate the holidays with. Take a look at some of the best South Padre Island Christmas events and activities to celebrate with:
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Each year thousands of towns and cities across the country will prepare for a variety of Christmas events that will start off the holiday season. You will find that most celebrations all begin with a tree lighting ceremony. These holiday events involve having the town’s Christmas tree lit up for the first time. South Padre Island will be hosting our very own Tree Lighting Ceremony right here on Thursday December 1st. The event will take place at South Padre Island City Hall where our gigantic tree will be erected. The mayor will welcome visitors to see this annual event in person starting at 5:30 PM. The Lighting of the Christmas Tree will take place shortly after at 5:45 PM. Come start off your holiday season with us and our beautiful Tree Lighting Ceremony.
South Padre Island Street Parade
Stick around after our tree lighting ceremony to enjoy the South Padre Island Street Parade. As the name suggests this event is a street parade. The South Padre Island Street Parade begins on Padre Blvd at 6:00 PM on Friday December 2nd. Visitors are encouraged to bring out their beach chairs and camp out from the sidewalk. The parade features floats designed by local businesses and families that are decorated with festive holiday lights. You will find some true love and admiration for the holidays on each float that drives by. Make sure to follow the parade down to Padre Island Brewing Company where the judging for the floats will be held. This local gastropub and brewery features delicious burgers, steaks, and seafood to enjoy for dinner. Don’t forget about their handcrafted beer that pairs perfectly with the ocean views from the deck.
Lighted Boat Parade
The fun continues the day after the South Padre Island Street Parade where the Lighted Boat Parade will take place. This annual event also shows off plenty of fun on the ocean water for a wonderful parade. Similar to the previous events the Lighted Boat Parade is free to view. There will be a designated viewing area along the shoreline of Laguna Madre Bay. The parade route will be at Sea Ranch Marina and continue down the coast. Expect to find plenty of motor boats also decked out in a variety of Christmas lights that light up the dark skyline. Judging for the Lighted Boat Parade will take place at Jim’s Pier following the event. Jim’s Pier is your one stop shop for all fishing needs here on South Padre Island. Make sure to stop by if you are looking for fishing licenses, rental equipment, and anything else needed for a successful fishing voyage.
Day at the Beach
One of the best reasons to come and visit South Padre Island around the holidays is the weather. Visitors will be able to enjoy our delightful temperatures that often hover around the 70s here in December. With this in mind you will find it easy to spend a day at the beach soaking in the sun. South Padre Island is home to various sandcastle sculptors who can come to your beach and show you how to make your very own masterpiece. No one will believe you spent the holidays at the beach making sandcastles! Spend your time by the beach by splashing around in the water, going fishing, or biking down the shoreline.
Book an Eco Tour
The warmer weather in South Padre Island encourages native sea life to stick around year-round. This includes loveable dolphins who love to show off by swimming next to boats or jumping into the air. The Original Dolphin Watch is our local eco tour that takes you on year-round dolphin watching tours. This memorable activity knows where to find the local pods of dolphins at to ensure you view them out in the wild. Additional activities they also have to offer includes snorkeling so you can jump in the water yourself. There is so much fun out here in the ocean!
Book Today and Enjoy South Padre Island Christmas Events
As you can see, the fun never ends here on South Padre Island no matter what time of year you come to visit. Book one of our luxury vacation rentals today and see these South Padre Island Christmas events and activities for yourself.
Before you know it, the holiday season will be upon us once again. The holidays are a favorite time for most, and it all starts with Thanksgiving taking place in November. This annual holiday lets the family get together for a delicious meal. This year, start a new family tradition by making your way to South Padre Island. Our coastal home is the perfect destination any time of year but can be a wonderful new additional to your holiday plans. Expect to find plenty of activities and events taking place here to make your stay the best it can be. Take a look at what you can expect from a South Padre Island Thanksgiving getaway this year:
Country Music Matinee
Time moves a little slower here on South Padre Island, letting visitors relax and enjoy their stay on the island. South Padre Island features many local bars and nightlife venues that will host live music entertainment. Coral Reel Lounge is a local favorite here on South Padre Island that hosts weekly live music every Thursday. This includes Thanksgiving (that always takes place on a Thursday) with their Country Music Matinee starting at 4:00 PM. Have an adult beverage as you relax and enjoy the live country tunes performed by local artists. This is a great way to feel like a local and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday right on the coast.
Enjoy the Water
Many spots around the country will be cold by the time Thanksgiving comes around, but South Padre Island is a little different. Our climate is always warmer than most, and that continues into the winter season. The Gulf water is still a pleasant temperature around Thanksgiving, allowing you to enjoy all of the wonderful watersports in the area. Head to the closest beach to sit back and soak in the sun. South Padre Island is known for some incredible sandcastle building, and local sculptors are available to help you build a masterpiece. Local rental shops on South Padre Island will let you take out water equipment by the hour. Why not zip around the water on a jet ski? You can also keep things more relaxed with a kayak as you navigate the coast. The water-based fun has no end on South Padre Island, so make sure you pack that swimming suit for your Thanksgiving stay!
Hit the Local Attractions
Visiting South Padre Island around Thanksgiving is a great idea as it is a slower travel season. This means you will not see the usual traffic that surrounds the island during warmer months of the year. Since the weather is still beautiful in November, you can still explore local attractions at your leisure. This includes Sea Turtle, Inc., a local sea turtle conservation center that saves thousands of turtles every year. They rehabilitate and release turtles back out into the wild through their efforts. The conservation center is also home to a few turtle friends who are too injured to rejoin their wild brethren.
Also make sure to make the short walk next door to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. South Padre Island is home to many different migrating birds that nest here for the season. The nature center offers a boardwalk that takes you around the property, where you’ll get to see the birds out in the wild. If your family is in the mood for some thrills, Gravity Park will have you covered. This local amusement park offers tons of fun, including the Ferris wheel, go karts, mini golf, and high-flying fun on bungee ropes. There is no end to the excitement on South Padre Island.
Create a Thanksgiving Feast
By booking a vacation rental here on South Padre Island you will be able to have access to a full-size home. This means you can continue your family tradition of creating a Thanksgiving feast. Our South Padre Island Thanksgiving vacation rentals come with full size kitchens that offer full size appliances, countertop space, and all of the cookware needed to make your meal. These kitchens practically have everything you need—with the exception of the ingredients, which you can purchase from local grocers. Dining room tables and breakfast bar seating allows everyone to sit down at once and enjoy their meal. The rest of the home will be complete with spacious living room areas and cozy bedrooms that feature all of the amenities. Don’t forget about BBQ grills out back that can help cook a steak or turkey dish too.
Book Today for South Padre Island Thanksgiving
There is no shortage of fun when you make your way to South Padre Island. Our vacation rentals will be the perfect home away from home here on the island.