Held on the Corpus Christi Bayfront each spring, Buc Days is a culturally diverse event that brings all kinds of activities and entertainment to enjoy when visiting Corpus Christi! Buc Days has something for everyone, including a rodeo, carnival, two parades, and so much more. This year's festivities will take place from May 1-11, 2025. Here's what you can expect: 

Wings Over South Texas Air Show

The Wings Over South Texas Air Show is one of Corpus Christi’s largest events, attracting over 60,000 spectators. Held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, this thrilling event features an incredible lineup of aerobatic performers, including the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. Watch as world-class military and civilian pilots showcase their skills, flying impressive jets and performing daring stunts. Don’t miss this high-flying spectacle that promises to be an unforgettable experience for aviation enthusiasts and families alike!

Rodeo & Professional Bull Riding

There’s no energy like rodeo energy! Step into the arena and catch some saddle bronc riding, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, and more. Watch man vs. bull in the national PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour, where some of the world’s best riders go head-to-head with bulls born to buck, in a live-action, adrenaline-fueled fight for the big prize! This year’s event will include the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals, a national competition that awards $1 million to the first-place winner in any three consecutive WCRA major rodeos.

Rodeo Concert Series

Rodeo Corpus Christi isn’t just about thrilling rides and record-breaking runs—it’s also bringing national recording artists straight to the American Bank Center Arena! When the last bull bucks and the dust settles, the arena transforms into a concert stage for an unforgettable night of live music. No need to go anywhere—just stay in your seat and get ready for a boot-scootin’ good time at the American Bank Center! 

2025 Performers: 

Steve Trevino

MercyMe

Grupo Siggno

Clint Black

Dos Borrachos ft. Kevin Fowler & Roger Creager

Carnival

Whether you’re a thrill seeker on lightning-fast, mind-bending rides, or a fan of the carousel and the Ferris wheel, the Buc Days Carnival has a ride for everyone of all ages! Don’t forget about food, too!  Grab an order of Fried Oreos, a Turkey Leg, and some ice-cold lemonade on festival grounds.

Parades

Light up the night at the Night Parade! There will be no shortage of marching bands, dancing, grand floats, and more. It’s not enough to just have one parade in the Gulf Coast Capital – round up your little pirates and get ready for the Children’s Parade which features spirited dancing, marching, and creative floats from some of Corpus Christi’s standout schools, youth organizations, and more. 

Shopping

Beat the heat and coast over to Treasure Island at the American Bank Center, an indoor shopping extravaganza that carries cowboy hats, boots, and a variety of true Texan products. With over 76,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, you’re guaranteed to find a wide range of items. Here, you’ll also find a petting zoo, pig races, pony rides, and snacks to keep the kiddos entertained.  

STEAM Expo 

Back for another year, the STEAM Expo will let imaginations run wild with activities in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics fields for kids. Sign your little ones up for fun, hands-on learning tech activities in the Robotics Rodeo for children ages 9-16. Swing by the Canstruction Junior Competition on May 3, and view innovative can art structures using unopened cans of food created by students and youth groups from around the Coastal Bend, or participate in the Buc Days Food Project on May 10 where teams of students are challenged to create a dish using only a predetermined set of ingredients, and present it to a panel of judges.

Barbecue Competition

Saucy or dry. Smoky, sweet, or spicy – you had us at barbecue. A Buc Days Gate Admission allows access to this annual, delicious competition where our local pitmasters battle it out. Whether you’re in it for the glory or the grub, coast your way to the Water Gardens and prepare for prime views of the competition and delicious eats! 

Dunking of the Mayor

It’s not officially Buc Days until the Mayor of Corpus Christi walks the plank! The mayor will be ceremonially “kidnapped” by the Buc Days Leadership Program Scholars and taken aboard the Red Dragon Pirate Ship where she will jump into the water.  Plant yourself on the seawall and get ready to see some scallywags throw the mayor overboard at this time-honored tradition.  

Related Content:

• History of Buc Days
• Buc Days Know Before You Go
• Top 10 Things to do in Downtown Corpus Christi