Families will gather at Water’s Edge Park for the H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting and an illuminated boat parade that will transform the bayfront with holiday cheer.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Holiday celebrations are set to light up the bayfront this weekend as the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District hosts its annual H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting and the Illuminated Boat Parade on Saturday.

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Festivities begin at 4 p.m. at Water’s Edge Park, where families can enjoy live music, vendors, food trucks and photos with Santa. The tree-lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m., featuring a special presentation from H-E-B before the 66-foot Christmas tree is officially illuminated for the eighth year.

H-E-B Senior Manager of Public Affairs Beth Dattomo said the company is proud to continue the tradition.

H-E-B is excited to bring the H-E-B Christmas Tree back to Water’s Edge Park for the 8th year in a row,” Dattomo said. “This beloved tradition is a wonderful opportunity for friends and families to come together, celebrate the season, and make lasting memories. We’re proud to partner with the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District to make this event possible and help bring the community closer during this special time of year.”

Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.

At 7 p.m., the Illuminated Boat Parade, presented by the Port of Corpus Christi, will set sail from the north end of the Lawrence Street T-Head before looping between the T-Head and the Coopers Alley L-Head. The event will feature privately owned vessels, government watercraft and a variety of boats decked out in thousands of lights.

Port of Corpus Christi CEO Kent Britton said the parade highlights the area’s waterfront charm.

The Port of Corpus Christi is proud to support a tradition that showcases the beauty of our bayfront and the spirit of our community,” Britton said. “The Illuminated Boat Parade is a celebration of unity, and we are honored to foster an experience that community families look forward to each holiday season.”

Spectators can watch along the seawall and enjoy food trucks, pop-up vendors and live announcements from local radio personalities. Awards for several parade categories will be presented Saturday night.

Arlene Medrano, executive director of the Downtown Management District, said the events are a reminder of why the holidays are so meaningful downtown.

The holiday season brings our community together in a meaningful way,” Medrano said. “Seeing families gather around the H-E-B Christmas Tree and along the seawall for the Boat Parade reminds us why Downtown is the heart of Corpus Christi’s holiday celebrations. We’re proud to create a space where memories are made and traditions continue to grow.”

For a full breakdown of the event, go to the Downtown Management District’s Facebook page.