Events & Happenings
Festivals, fishing tournaments, live music, and community events — Port Aransas has something going on all year long.
Annual Calendar
Major Events by Month
January
Restaurant Week
Mid-January through early February · Island-wide
Participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus — $25 lunch, $25 brunch, $35-$50 dinner. The best excuse to try somewhere new.
PAPHA Winter Lecture Series
Mondays in January · Port Aransas Museum
Weekly lectures on local history, culture, and heritage. Topics range from Karankawa history to the founding of UTMSI. Free and open to the public.
February
Whooping Crane Festival
Third weekend of February · Island-wide + Aransas NWR
Multi-day nature festival with expert birding tours, lectures, photography workshops, and boat trips to see the world's rarest crane at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
Mardi Gras Parade
Fat Tuesday · Downtown Port Aransas
Community parade with decorated golf carts, porch parties, and festive food. Port A does Mardi Gras its own way.
April
Texas SandFest
Third weekend of April · Port Aransas Beach
International sand sculpture competition drawing tens of thousands of visitors. Three days of master sculptors, live entertainment, food vendors, and kids' activities. One of the island's largest events.
May
Spring Kite Festival
Second weekend of May · Beach near markers 1-20
Free, family-friendly kite festival. Flyers set up Saturday morning around 10 AM. Bring your own kite or just watch. Beach parking permit required.
July
Deep Sea Roundup
Second weekend of July · Port Aransas Civic Center / Harbor
Texas's oldest fishing tournament, running since 1932. Bay, surf, offshore, fly, kayak, and junior divisions. Features the legendary Piggy Perch contest. Proceeds fund local scholarships.
Fourth of July Celebration
July 4 · Roberts Point Park
Free popcorn, snow cones, and bounce houses from 4 PM. Live music at 5 PM. Fireworks launched from Roberts Point Park at approximately 9:30 PM. Fireworks cruises available from Fisherman's Wharf.
August
Texas Legends Billfish Tournament
First week of August · Port Aransas Harbor / Offshore
Premier billfish competition — one of three legs of the Texas Triple Crown Billfish Series. High-stakes offshore fishing for blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish.
October
Beachtober
All of October · Island-wide
Month-long celebration: Taco & Margarita Trail, Sweet Traditions Dessert Trail, Beachtober Beats concert series (Fridays at SipYard), Shoptober sales, and Flynn's Beach Run (10K/5K).
Wooden Boat Festival
Late October · Roberts Point Park
Three-day celebration of handcrafted boats. Five families compete to build a 14-foot Port A Skiff in three days. Historic Farley boats on display, vendors, live music.
Harvest Moon Regatta
Late October · Port Aransas Harbor (finish line)
150-nautical-mile sailboat race from Galveston to Port Aransas. Finish-line festivities include rum party, live music, and awards ceremony.
December
Lighted Boat Parade & Holiday Drone Show
Mid-December Saturday · Port Aransas Harbor / Fisherman's Wharf
Decorated boats glide through the harbor 6-7 PM, followed by 150+ synchronized drones in holiday patterns set to live music. Santa, snow machines, holiday cocktails.
Golf Cart Holiday Parade
Early December · Downtown Port Aransas
Community parade of decorated golf carts through downtown. Pure Port A energy.
Every Week & Month
Recurring Happenings
Second Saturday at Farley Boat Works
2nd Saturday, Oct-Mar · 716 W. Ave C
Potluck dinners with live music and dancing in the boat barn. PAPHA members eat free; guests $10.
Art Center First Friday
1st Friday of each month · Port Aransas Art Center
Opening reception for new monthly exhibit with live music, wine, and art demos. 5:30-7:30 PM.
UTMSI Wetlands Tours
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9 AM · UTMSI Visitors Center
Free guided boardwalk tours of the 3.5-acre marsh and wetland habitat. Year-round.
Live Music Nightly
Year-round, most nights · Multiple venues
The Gaff, Shorty's, Bron's Backyard, BierHaus, and more. Check portaransas.org/portalive for the weekly schedule.
Planning Your Trip?
Check conditions, find restaurants, and save spots for your visit.