Fat Friday Party 

• Date and Location TBD

Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade

• Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Padre Balli Park

In 2009, the Barefoot Mardi Gras celebration began as a backyard party with a group of friends with an excuse to celebrate. Eventually, the celebration grew as the neighborhood joined the festivities, complete with costumes to show their spirit. Each year, the gathering grew, starting with the addition of a parade around the neighborhood, and growing into a daytime parade on the beach with an evening King and Queen Ball. Once that event maxed out capacity, the festivities were placed in the hands of the Padre Island Business Association to transform it into a grander celebration, and in 2016, the festival was expanded into an entire weekend of festivities, right on the beach.

Dress up for Barefoot Mardi Gras on Padre Island with beads, tutus, hats, crowns, or anything else you love in shades of purple, green, and gold for a festive, colorful beachside Mardi Gras celebration. As you enjoy the festivities in your Mardi Gras outfits and accessories, remember to help protect our Corpus Christi beaches by avoiding littering and limiting plastic use. Keeping our shoreline clean supports the eco-friendly, sustainable beach experience that makes this Gulf Coast destination so special. Pick up a complimentary trash bag from the blue boxes located at every beach access road as you drive onto the sand. These bags are cleverly designed to stay put and not blow away in the coastal wind. Trash cans are available at every beach entrance and along the driving lanes, so it’s simple to pack out what you bring in. 

• 5 Tips on Being a Sustainable Beach Goer

Coastal weather is great year-round and during the Barefoot Mardi Gras, you’re looking at very pleasant temps in the 60s and 70s, making it the perfect backdrop for a beachside celebration. While the weather promises to be nice and cool and sunny, it’s best to check the current weather updates for any shifts in weather. 

CORPUS CHRISTI WEATHER

Navigate your way around the festivities with ease by planning ahead. Arriving early is key, especially as the event unfolds and the crowds increase in size. The festival takes place on the drivable portion of the beach so anticipate multiple vehicles, as well. Consider carpooling to make parking hassle-free and secure your spot early on to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

You’ve worked up an appetite with all the festivities and there are great places to eat on the island. For a quick and casual bite, head to Surfside Sandwich Shoppe for a meatball sub or a roasted turkey sandwich on warm sourdough bread, or let your creativity run wild at Padre Island Burger Co. with their build your own burger option.  

A good pizza with locally sourced ingredients and house made dough is also a great option. Head to Padre Pizzeria for the creative The Kitchen Sink and some pizza rolls, or take a bite out of true New York style pizza at Brooklyn Pie Co. and New York Pizza. If you brought a larger group, head to a sports bar like Hard Knocks and enjoy wings, chicken strips, burgers, and more with your favorite drink while watching one of the 83 HDTV’s. 

Seafood is always a good option on the coast, and Doc’s Seafood & Steaks and Snoopy’s at Marker 37 bring some of the best seafood to your plate and stunning waterfront views. Head to Doc’s and enjoy fresh Gulf seafood, Angus Beef hand cut steaks, and tropical mixed drinks directly from the bar while enjoying live music. At Snoopy’s find old-fashioned, quality seafood and top it off with your choice of dessert made with Blue Bell ice cream at Scoopy’s, right next door.

• Places to Eat on Padre Island

Beach permits are required along certain sections of the beach, and Whitecap Beach and Padre Balli Park, where the festivities are held, require a permit. Corpus Christi Beach Permits are $12, good for the whole year, and generate income for beach maintenance, along with your sustainable efforts to keep our beaches clean.  

A few places you can purchase a permit include: 

• Stripes convenience stores 
• Circle K convenience store (Padre Island) 
• H-E-B grocery stores (Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi, Calallen, Portland, and Rockport)