The holiday tradition is one of several events the state park is hosting to attract visitors amid low water levels.

MATHIS, Texas — With the reservoir sitting at just 12.6 percent capacity, staff at Lake Corpus Christi State Park are encouraging visitors not to let the low water levels keep them away. They say there are still plenty of activities to enjoy and one of their most popular holiday traditions returns this weekend.

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Holiday Light Drive-Thru Set for Saturday

Empty campsites won’t stay empty for long. The state park is preparing for its annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru, where campers decorate their sites with vibrant, festive displays for families to enjoy from their vehicles.

Park volunteer Johnny Zamora said the experience is something special.

“When you come over here it’s a whole different feeling simply because you are going through the woods, with a bunch of lights and happy people and see spectacular things people design,” said Zamora.

The event has grown so much in popularity that there’s now a waitlist for campers hoping to participate.

“They’re allowed to be here for two days and it’s a free site, that’s a free site because they’re decorating which is why there’s a waitlist,” said park interpreter Hannah Schulze. “It’s a big thing here because it’s continuous lights.”


Battling Misconceptions About the Lake

Schulze helps lead many of the park’s programs and events, and says turnout for activities like this helps correct some misunderstandings about the lake’s current condition.

“One misconception would be since the lake is down it’s gone, it’s still here, there’s still water it might be lower than historic values but there is definitely still a lake here,” said Schulze.


More Events Ahead

The Holiday Light Drive-Thru is just one of the many ways park staff keep visitors coming back throughout the year.

“We’re actually having First Day hikes this year, most state parks do, we’re going to have a story walk,” Schulze said.

From mid-week bird walks to big community programs like Kid Fish in January, the park continues working to engage new audiences.

“Getting new people out to the park is a big opportunity for us to reach audiences who might not know about the park,” said Schulze.

With the park’s historic castle already decorated for the season, staff say they’re ready to welcome families looking for holiday cheer and a reminder that the park offers much more than just the lake.

For those planning to attend the Holiday Light Drive-Thru: It’s happening this Saturday December 6, from 6pm-9pm, entry is free for those hours.