Festivals & Annual Events
PORT A LIVE MUSIC FEST
Experience Port A’s live music scene at a whole new level when you attend the Port A Live Music Fest. All weekend long, you can enjoy bands that span genres and generations at unique and fun local spots like Sip Yard, Bron's Beach Carts & Backyard, and Palm Plaza at Palmilla Beach! Don't miss out on the fun, get tickets now!
BEACHTOBER
October might be in the off season, but the fun is just beginning! Beachtober has events going on all month long, from the delicious Taco & Margarita Trail and delectable Sweet Traditions Dessert Trail running from the 1st through the 31st to weekends bursting with events such as Island Science Day, Shoptober, and Flynn's Beach Run. This Beachtober is a month of coastal celebrations like no other!
WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL
The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association presents the annual Wooden Boat Festival with Farley Boat Works. This is your chance to celebrate the heritage of Port A and to see a selection of hand-built boats. Enjoy a marching parade, try your hand at rowing a variety of skiffs, and build a boat yourself during the Family Boatbuilding event.
HARVEST MOON REGATTA
The Harvest Moon Regatta is the largest point-to-point sailboat race in the United States. The race begins in Galveston and ends in Port Aransas under the light of October’s magnificent full moon. Folks in Port Aransas can watch the race fleet make their harbor finish from such great vantage points as the rock jetties at the south jetty, Roberts Point Park, and the Port Aransas beach.
SANTA SOIREE
Get ready to jingle all the way at Santa Soirée, a festive celebration that brings the holiday spirit to Port A like never before! Spend the day savoring local flavors, finding the perfect gifts while shopping, and enjoying a dazzling lighted boat parade. And as the grand finale, look up to the sky for a holiday-themed drone show that captures the magic of Port Aransas. Don’t miss out on this merry and bright event!
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SAND SANTA
Make this holiday season unforgettable with a visit to Sand Santa! Perfect for your family holiday photos, this massive sand sculpture is a masterpiece crafted by world-class sand artists. On display throughout the holiday season, it’s a must-see spectacle that adds a touch of coastal magic to your festive celebrations. Don’t forget to bring your camera—Sand Santa is waiting to make your holiday memories extra special!
NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS
Ring in the New Year with a bang as the Port Aransas sky lights up with a spectacular fireworks show! Whether you’re with family, friends, or loved ones, this unforgettable evening is the perfect way to welcome the New Year in true coastal style.
RESTAURANT WEEK
Each January, Restaurant Week offers a delectable dive into Port A's vibrant food scene. It’s the perfect chance to explore the island’s culinary delights as participating restaurants present prix-fixe menus that spotlight their signature dishes. From fresh-caught seafood to expertly crafted cocktails, Restaurant Week is a flavorful journey you won’t want to miss.
WHOOPING CRANE FESTIVAL
Get your binoculars and checklists ready! The Coastal Bend is the only spot in the United States where the last naturally occurring population of endangered Whooping Cranes can be viewed at close range, and Port Aransas celebrates this natural wonder with an annual festival honoring these grand birds. In addition, an awesome array of wintering migratory birds flock into the wetlands and onto the Texas shorelines of Mustang Island. A series of birding tours by land and sea are highlights during the festival, along with speakers, photography workshops, and more.
TEXAS SANDFEST
Texas SandFest is a greatly-anticipated annual sand sculpture competition and festival. Each year more than 100,000 people attend this family-friendly event. Organized by local volunteers since 1997, master sculptors from around the country and abroad, as well as children and amateurs, gather on the Port Aransas beach to create artistic, imaginative, and skillful sand sculptures. The three-day festival includes live music, food, jewelry, crafts, sand sculpting lessons, and more.
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DEEP SEA ROUNDUP
The granddaddy of fishing tournaments, the Deep Sea Roundup began in 1932 as the Tarpon Roundup and has grown from a handful of Port Aransas fishing and hunting guides pitting their skills against one another, to the largest family fishing tournament on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Roundup attracts all ages and skill levels, with contestants competing annually in Offshore, Bay, Surf, Fly Fishing and Junior divisions, plus the treasured ‘Piggy Perch’ contest for the little guys and gals.