CORPUS CHRISTI — As November gets underway, downtown is gearing up for a festive Fall and Winter.
This weekend downtown hosts the Dia de los Muertos Festival, which kicks off a busy month capped by the start of "Merry Days by the Bay."
“It's a really exciting time in Corpus Christi, festival season is in full swing,” said Alyssa Barrera Mason, Interim CEO of Visit Corpus Christi.
Visit Corpus Christi rebranded the city's annual holiday celebration last year. The CVB hoped the festival would create a holiday bonus for the local tourism industry.
“Historically, December is a low month for tourism,” said Mason. “We're working with all our community partners to create a reason for people to come and visit.”
According to the CVB, it worked. While the bureau couldn't estimate how much money Merry Days generated for local business, downtown hotels reported a four percent bump in guests last December compared with December 2016.
New last year was Peppermint Lane, as Chaparral Street was transformed into as close as you can get to a winter wonderland here in South Texas. It was a reboot from the 1960's, and organizers say it was a hit.
Mason helped spearhead Peppermint Lane as the head of the Downtown Management District.
“At the DMD we were really encouraged by that response, so this year we're expanding those lights into Artesian Park,” said Mason.
Peppermint Lane kicks off Merry Days by the Bay November 30th. The Harbor Lights Festival, which includes a six-story Christmas tree is December 7th. Also back this year is Coastal Christmas, the American Bank Center's holiday celebration. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
“Between Peppermint Lane, Harbor Lights, Coastal Christmas, there are a multitude of things for people to enjoy during the holiday season,” said Mason.
Click here for a complete list of Merry Days by the Bay events.
