December Events & Attractions |
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Nov 29 - Jan 3
Take a drive-thru around the circle at the end of Rockport Beach and enjoy the lighted holiday displays.
Free Event - Donations Appreciated!
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Dec 5 - Begins at Dusk
Annual lighting of the Community Christmas Tree followed by a spectacular fireworks display over Aransas Bay. Easy way to social distance and view from all over downtown Rockport!
Dec 12
Join us for the 6th Annual Christmas in the District in historical Downtown Rockport!
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From November to March over 500 Whooping Cranes call the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge their winter home. Come see for yourself: |
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From Market Days to the locally owned-shops with one-of a kind items, you can't miss the opportunity to Shop Small and score big for the holidays. |
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Fall Fishing is outstanding in the bays around the area. Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Black Drum. Catch fish, your breath, and a sunrise. |
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Fishing in the Bays are Plentiful
Open piers:
Breakwater (End of Market Street) pier, Rockport Beach North Pier, Leggett Channel, Rockport Harbor Seawall, Bulkhead at Fulton Harbor, Copano Kayak Site, Howard Murph Park, Copano Causeway Boat Launch.
State Park:
Goose Island pier is closed but fishing is available at Day Use Area and Boat Ramp.
Open marinas:
Cove Harbor Marina, Copano Causeway Ramp and Boat Launch, Rockport Beach Park, and Fulton Harbor and Cove Harbor Marina.
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Birds are Flying High
Birding Migration:
From the Gulf of Mexico to beaches, bays and estuaries and inland woods, prairies and fields, one will find extraordinary birding throughout Aransas County. We have 10 birding sites on the Great Texas Birding Trail.
From November to March, the world's only wild flock of over 500 endangered Whooping Cranes calls the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge home.
Scheduled boat trips to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge run throughout the Whooping Cranes' migratory stay. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Rockport-Fulton enjoys glorious weather, excellent birding, and small crowds.
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Rockport Beach was selected by USA Today 10 Best as the Best Beach in Texas, rating #1 in the state.
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Around Town Community Events |
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Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
December 11-12. Drive By visit with Santa -Friday 11am -7pm, Saturday 4pm-6pm. Through the entrance on Henderson Street near the Visitor Center, families can drive through our parking lot and drop off a Christmas letter to Santa Claus and then pick up a gift from Mrs. Claus without exiting their vehicle.
The Fulton Mansion is now open for limited tours and retail to go. Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 10 am-4 pm with tours on the hour by reservation only. Call 361-729-0386 x 30 to reserve a spot.. Adult admission $7.00, Seniors $6.00, children $4.00, children under 5 are free. The Fulton Mansion is located 317 S. Fulton Beach Rd. Rockport, TX. Call ahead for the most up-to-date information: 361.729.0386 or visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/visitfultonmansion
Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension-Aransas County
December 3, 10am -12pm Holiday Open House -.Join us for food, fun and laughter as we celebrate the season. Please bring a hygiene product for donation to Good Samaritans.
Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners - 361-790-0103
Downtown Farmers Market
December 12 - Rockport Downtown Farmers Market, 9 am-1 pm, A great place to buy locally grown produce as well as jams, jellies, & pickled produce. There will often be fresh-baked bread, local honey, hen fruit, and freshly made goat soap. Buy fresh produce and cottage canned products, bread and more at 105 S. Austin St. in the Oh My! Parking lot. More information here. The contact email for anyone interested in being a vendor is rockportdowntownfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Makers Market, December 12 - 9 AM-5 PM, Downtown Rockport Maker's Market is a local outdoor market featuring handmade items from local artists and fun and unique home décor. If you are interested in selling your homemade items at this event please contact, Michell Mock-McMahon by emailing her at rockportdailygrind@yahoo.com.
Rockport-Fulton Market Days
December 19-20 9am-5pm Saturday & Sunday. Over 100 booths filled with great vendors, food vendors, live music, covered seating and as always, a pet friendly environment! Every third weekend of the month. Come Join The Fun! FMI, follow Rockport-Fulton Market Days and get your shop on!! Facebook | 361-463-0125.
Rockport Center for the Arts
Rockport Center for the Arts’ Galleries and Gift Shop at Estelle Stair Gallery will be open to the public Sunday Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13, and Dec 20 from Noon to 4 PM for holiday shopping.
November 25 - December 31 - “Currents 2020” exhibition highlights our family of artists and provides a chance to stand out as a Merit Artist the following year. Show opens on Nov. 25 with an opening reception on
December 12 at 5pm - 6:30pm "Currents 2020 Opening Reception" Opening reception on in conjunction with Christmas in the District.
Rockport, famous for its vast colony of more than 800 artists, has been identified as "The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America" by John Villani and "Top 10 Artist Colonies" by Allen Bunting in Coastal Living Magazine. Visit Rockport Center for the Arts location at 406 South Austin St. (at Estelle Stair Gallery) in Rockport. Normal Hours of operation Monday-Saturday: 10 AM-4 PM (Please see holiday hours above) FMI 361-729-5519 or visit rockportartcenter.com
Aransas Pathways
December 12 - 8:30am- 12pm Volunteer clean-up day at Linda S. Castro and Connie Hagar Nature Sanctuaries. Looking to get out in nature while lending a helping hand? Here is a perfect way to give back. FMI: call 210-639-2340
Discover your Pathway! Hiking-Biking-Kayaking-History and Birding. Attractions and Nature trails throughout Aransas County. Visit: www.aransaspathways.com | 361-729-6445
Rialto Theater
Every Tuesday - 6:30-9:30PM - Open Mic Acustic Jam
December 4 & 5 and 12 & 13,7:30pm - All is Calm, The Christmas Truce of 1914. Reserved seats $20.
The History Center for Aransas County
Hours of Operation for the History Center: Monday and Friday 10 AM -2 PM; Saturday and Sunday 1 PM-4 PM.
Birding and Dolphin Tours/Boat & Kayak Excursions
Boat Tours are available. Information on Dolphin and birding adventures can be obtained by contacting the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce 361-729-6445
Texas Maritime Museum - Education Center
Texas Maritime Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-4 PM. Located at (1202 Navigation Circle, Rockport, TX 78382. For membership, volunteer information, and other activities: call 361-729-1271 or visit texasmaritimemuseum.org
Rockport Beach
Texas' first Blue Wave Beach! Located at 210 Seabreeze Drive, Rockport, TX 78382. Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 6am-11pm and Friday-Saturday, 6am-11pm. Parking costs for the Rockport Beach are $5/Daily and $20/Yearly.
Rockport Little Theatre
Rockport Little Theatre - New location coming soon. For more information or to buy a brick as a fundraiser for the performing arts of Rockport Little Theatre contact info@rockportlittletheatre.com
Rockport Country Club
Rockport Country Club located at 101 Champions Dr. Rockport Country Club is poised to offer its members a lifestyle not found anywhere in the Coastal Bend area. For membership or to be a "Member for a Day" contact Stan Reeder at 361-450-4393. FMI visit our website www.rockportcc.com
Friday-Saturday, 6am-11pm. Parking costs for the Rockport Beach are $5/Daily and $20/Yearly.
Goose Island State Park
Goose Island State Park is open 7 days a week from 8 AM-10 PM. Park Headquarters is staffed 7 days a week from 8 AM-4 PM. Limited tent camping, RV camping, and day use are available by online reservation only. For more information, visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island, https://www.facebook.com/GooseIslandSP/ , or call 361-729-2858. The boat ramp, fish cleaning station, nature trail, and picnic area are available for day use. The island bayfront area, including the fishing pier, is closed for construction for the foreseeable future. Please obey all barriers, construction markings, and social distancing guidelines when visiting the park. While at Goose Island, be sure to visit one of the most famous live oaks in the world, the "Big Tree" estimated to be centuries old.
Community Aquatic and Skate Park
Admission is $5. Classes include: Water Aerobics, Water Walking and Lap Swim. Located at 2001 Stadium Dr.The park houses an 8 Lane, 25 yard pool (heated to 86 degrees) and diving area, a bathhouse, towel warmer and swimsuit dryer. The park includes a 6000 sq. ft. modular skate park (open) It also has a playground, picnic area, and a ¼ mile nature trail. FMI: pool2@cityofrockport.com | 361-727-9989 | www.cityofrockport.com
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge is open from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. Entrance fee is currently waived, and Visitor Contact Station is closed. Auto tour, trails, fishing pier, and observation decks are open; please practice social distancing. Come hike a trail, fish off the pier or from your kayak, or drive the 16 mile auto tour. FMI, call 361-349-1181 or visit www.facebook.com/AransasNWR or
(Voted the #1 birding spot and # 5 National Wildlife Refuge in the USA for USA TODAY Readers' Choice)
Cards
The Women's club is open 12:30pm Monday and Friday. No Food or Drinks. Masks are required. Tables 6ft apart. Temperatures will be taken before entering and hand sanitizer used. 50% occupancy rules apply. Every Monday and Friday, 12:30-4 PM - Play Canasta or Party Bridge at the Woman's Club of Aransas County | 1104 E. Concho, Rockport . (Across from the Chamber of Commerce near the Rockport Harbor) Members $4 | Non-members $5. FMI: 361-557-1150 or visit our website
COVID19 UPDATE:
Aransas County is known for eco-tourism, so social distancing doesn't have to be a problem. Try these outdoors activities: the fishing is phenomenal. The area has been known for its Speckled Trout and Redfish among anglers “in the know”. Professional fishing guides to public piers and marinas are available. Another activity that is popular in the area is Kayak fishing. With an array of kayak sites, everyone from fishermen to birders are enjoying the use of the sites. With miles of seascape, there is ample opportunity to enjoy the beauty and a bit of meditation. Birding is also phenomenal in our area. Over 400 different species have been spotted in the marshes, wooded inland areas and along the sandy beaches.
As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to be a factor, guidelines and restrictions for our tourism industry are continuously changing.
While we enjoy our visitors, if you are planning travel to our area, we ask that you do so responsibly and practice safety guidelines. Please reference the guidelines for Texas here.
Visitors are advised to call their hotels, local attractions and business establishments before making plans. There is always a possibility of modified hours of operation or new guidelines.
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This is a publication put together by the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. |
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