Festivals & Annual Events

Barefoot Mardi Gras 

Held at Whitecap Beach & Padre Balli Park
Corpus Christi and Cajun culture come together on the beach for the annual Barefoot Mardi Gras celebration with music, a parade, food, and more, so kick off your shoes and enjoy a one-of-a-kind celebration.

CC Songwriter's Festival

Held in Downtown Corpus Christi
Celebrate the art of songwriting at the Corpus Christi Songwriter’s Festival (CCSW). The CCSW is a Texas non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and education while supporting local songwriters in the Corpus Christi area. This multi-day event, held in February, brings in talented songwriters from various genres to showcase their craft and connect with music lovers in a vibrant festival atmosphere. The event is held across several venues in Downtown Corpus Christi and features song swap showcases, workshops, panels, award ceremonies, and more.

St. Patty's Festival

Held in Downtown Corpus Christi
Coast over for a touch of Ireland in Downtown Corpus Christi! Embrace the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day at this lively festival with green beer, festive cheer, music, and fun that the whole family will enjoy.

The Birdiest Festival in America

Held at South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Celebrate the “Birdiest City in America” every April with birders from around the world. Experience spring migration, view rare bird species, hear from nationally recognized experts, and take field trips to coastal hotspots.

Texas Sandfest

Held in Port Aransas
Admire the art of world-class sculptors right along the Port Aransas beach at Texas Sandfest, the largest native-sand sculpture competition in the USA. This three-day family event gathers artists from around the world to create mesmerizing sand sculptures, attracting people from across the country to witness these magnificent works of art made entirely from sand.

Buc Days Parade & Carnival

Held in Downtown Corpus Christi
Let the good times coast with a culturally diverse event that brings all kinds of activities and entertainment on the Downtown Corpus Christi Bayfront! Buc Days has something for everyone from a rodeo and carnival to food and activities.

Rodeo Corpus Christi

Held at the American Bank Center
There’s no energy like rodeo energy! Step into the arena and catch some saddle bronc riding, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour and Finals, and more.

Beach to Bay Relay

Join runners from around the world at the largest relay marathon in the U.S. The course winds along the shoreline, through the Naval Air Station, over the JFK Causeway, and finishes along the beautiful Ocean Drive.

Mural Fest

Held in Downtown Corpus Christi
Mural Fest was created to celebrate the history and culture of Corpus Christi, while enhancing the visuals in the Marina Arts District with the addition of large-scale murals showcasing different aspects of Corpus Christi.

Juneteenth

Coast over for several weeks of Juneteenth celebrations leading up to the annual Corpus Christi Juneteenth Festival every June, and enjoy live music, food trucks, a kid’s zone, and a headlining performer.

Pride

In Corpus Christi, everyone is invited to coast their way freely and fully. Join us in June and see how PRIDE is celebrated in the Gulf Coast Capital with pet parades, family days, nightlife, and more!

Mayor's Big Bang Celebration

Held at Water's Edge Park
Come downtown to the Corpus Christi Bayfront for a celebration filled with fireworks, festivities, food trucks, and family activities all day long on the bayfront and Water’s Edge Park.

Conquer the Coast

Take a ride on the coast and choose from 66-, 21-, and 10-mile rides for a cycling experience that delivers an unforgettable journey along scenic routes and a rewarding experience for riders of all skill levels.

Celebration of Flight

Held at Hazel Bazemore County Park
Celebrate the largest and most diverse Hawk migration at Hazel Bazemore County Park where large groups gather for a family-friendly event with free activities in the park for everyone.

CC 7–Day Film Project Screening

Held at Alamo Drafthouse
Gather on the coast for a fun film-making event that celebrates film makers and their creative skills. Participants must make a film in 7 days, and all qualifying CC7D films are shown in a premier theater experience at Alamo Drafthouse Corpus Christi.

Festival of India

Coast over and celebrate Indian traditions in the Gulf Coast Capital. This annual event brings Indian culture to Corpus Christi with dance, shopping, food, music, group prayer, henna tattoos, and more.

Jazz Festival

Held at Heritage Park
Jazz makes its way to Corpus Christi in October for the longest and largest free-running festival in the world. Held at Heritage Park, the Texas Jazz Festival is a free event open to all ages and features incredible live music, food, and market vendors.

Surftoberfest

Held at Water Street Market
Enjoy a coastal spin on the classic German Octoberfest celebration with a Homebrew Competition, a Beer Stein Holding Contest, German fare, live music, and more in the heart of downtown at Water Street Market.

MusicWalk

Held in Downtown Corpus Christi
Experience the rhythms of the Gulf Coast Capital with MusicWalk, a vibrant, annual celebration that transforms the city's downtown area into a dynamic hub of live music, art, and community spirit. This lively event features performances by local musicians across various genres, from rock and jazz to country and blues. Stroll through the scenic streets of Corpus Christi, enjoy the sounds of talented artists, and discover unique local vendors and food trucks. MusicWalk not only showcases the city's rich musical heritage but also fosters a sense of togetherness, making it a must-attend event for everyone. 

Sharkathon

Dive into one of the largest conservation-based shark fishing tournaments, Sharkathon, held in October and November. This event aims to educate fishermen on the importance of catch-and-release when it comes to sharks and the significance of sea life preservation. Over the years, the tournament has grown significantly, with cash and prizes now totaling over $80,000. Proceeds from raffle sales are used to support educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Dia De Los Muertos

Held in Downtown Corpus Christi
Enjoy cultural vibes, life, and music while honoring and celebrating an annual tradition amid vendors and food trucks lining the streets, sugar skulls galore, costumes at every turn, arts and crafts, and ofrendas.

CC Wine Festival

Held at Heritage Park
Sip wine on the coast and sample food from some of the best local food trucks in the area, while enjoying live art paintings, chef showdowns, grape stomping, live music, and more.

Greek Food Festival

Join us as Greece comes to the Gulf Coast Capital in an annual celebration held at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. This festival celebrates Greek culture with live music, Greek dancing, Greek Food, Church Tours, and more.

Jewish Food Festival

Celebrate Jewish heritage with the community at an event with food, a vintage shop, raffle, silent auction, dancing, music, and more. All proceeds benefit the local temple.

Ranch Hand Weekend

Coast over for a weekend of food, fun, and family with a festival honoring the city’s rich cultural heritage as one of the mainstays of the Texas ranching industry. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, explore the ranch, tour the festival, and more.

Merry Days by the Bay

Held at Downtown Corpus Christi
Get into the holiday spirit and see how we do holidays on the coast. From two incredible festive boat parades showcasing talented light displays and two fully decorated larger than life trees to local loved spots with holiday lights, festive decorations, music, food trucks, and community, Corpus Christi transforms into a holiday wonderland filled with tons of holiday cheer.