Barefoot Mardi Gras
Beachfront beads, parades and Cajun food on Padre Island.
Padre Balli Park, Padre Island, TX
Tournaments, lighted boat parades, surf contests and coastal races across Corpus Christi, Mustang Island and Padre Island — with the dates, the venue and a waterfront house on Oso Bay to come back to each night.
Dates shift slightly year to year — each event links to its own page with the full description and the official registration or ticket source.
Beachfront beads, parades and Cajun food on Padre Island.
Padre Balli Park, Padre Island, TX
Guided birding tours through one of the country's top flyways.
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
The largest native-sand sculpture competition in the United States.
Port Aransas Beach (access road 1A)
A six-leg relay from Mustang Island to downtown Corpus Christi.
Start: Mustang Island · Finish: Downtown Corpus Christi
Pet parades, family days and nightlife celebrating the Gulf Coast Capital's inclusive spirit.
Downtown Corpus Christi
Fireworks over Corpus Christi Bay with live music on the waterfront.
Corpus Christi Bayfront (Shoreline Blvd)
A two-day competitive fishing tournament on Padre Island for anglers of all skill levels.
Padre Island National Seashore
Choose from 66-, 21-, and 10-mile scenic cycling rides along the coast.
Start: American Bank Center, Corpus Christi
A unique 5K on the Corpus Christi International Airport runway supporting Wings of Texas.
Corpus Christi International Airport
The longest-running free jazz festival in the country, on the bayfront.
Heritage Park / Bayfront, Corpus Christi
Surf contest, live music and beach games on Bob Hall Pier.
Bob Hall Pier, Padre Island
One of the largest catch-and-release shark fishing tournaments on the Texas coast.
Padre Island National Seashore
Texas vintners pour on the bayfront beneath sunset skies.
Water's Edge Park, Corpus Christi
Lighted boat parade, tree lighting and holiday market downtown.
Corpus Christi Marina & Water's Edge Park
Cast for redfish, black drum and trout straight off the private bulkhead — no trailer, no drive, no launch fee.
Read the fishing guide →About 25 minutes out. Surf fishing, dune drives and the venue for Sharkathon and Hooked on Padre.
Guest guidebook & tide charts →Charter docks, the lighted boat parade route and the Water's Edge festival grounds, 15 minutes from the driveway.
Charters & bait shops →Pier fishing, Surftoberfest and Barefoot Mardi Gras — a ten-minute drive gets you to the beach.
Local recommendations →Tournament weekends and festival dates fill first. Short-term stays run March 1 – August 31 with a three-night minimum; September 1 – February 28 is monthly snowbird season with a thirty-night minimum and optional pool heating. The bulkhead, private pool and hot tub are yours either way.