Enjoy a fun-filled weekend in the Coastal Bend! Family-friendly events, festive activities, local vendors, and memories waiting for all ages to share.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Sponsored by Visit Corpus Christi. Find more fun in the Coastal Bend with the Visit Corpus Christi’s event calendar: https://www.visitcorpuschristi.com/events/
Friday, May 1
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Hilliard Center 1901 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi
The Buc Days VEX IQ Competition presented by Valero brings together elementary students to compete in a robotics event focused on STEM skills, teamwork, and problem-solving, with $5,000 in prizes awarded to top teams. Registration is $75 per team, and more information is available at bucdays.com.
12-9 p.m. at Hilliard Center 1901 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi
The Stripes Carnival at Buc Days offers rides, food, and family entertainment provided by Wade Shows Inc., with wristbands available for unlimited rides and single-day admission options for guests. General admission includes access to attractions, live entertainment, and museums, with pricing and wristband options varying by purchase time and day of entry.
The Shops at Treasure Island: Buc Days
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Hilliard Center 1901 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi
The Shops at Treasure Island, presented by Mathews CCAC Air Conditioning, returns for its fifth year with indoor vendors, shopping, and family attractions inside the Hilliard Center Exhibit Hall. Admission includes access to the shopping experience along with activities like a petting zoo, pony rides, and racing pigs.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration: 75 Years of Ingleside
11 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. at N.O. Simmons Park – Ingleside
The City of Ingleside is celebrating 75 years with a free Cinco de Mayo festival at N.O. Simmons Park featuring live music, folklórico dancers, mariachi, food, and family activities. The event includes performances from artists like Siggno and Bobby Pulido as part of a weekend-long community celebration.
TAMU-CC Opera Presents: Die Fledermaus!
7 – 10 p.m. at Performing Arts Center – TAMUCC 6300 Ocean Dr #5723, Corpus Christi
The TAMU-CC Opera presents Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus, a comedic operetta about mistaken identities and champagne-fueled mischief set in Vienna’s Gilded Age, performed in English. Free for students and $5 for non-students, the production is directed by Dr. Jessica Spafford and open to the public at the TAMU-CC Performing Arts Center.
Alcorta’s Compañía de Danza Folklórica
7 – 10 p.m. at Performing Arts Center – TAMUCC 6300 Ocean Dr #5723, Corpus Christi
Alcorta’s Compañía de Danza Folklórica is celebrating its 29th annual “Inolvidable” performance in Corpus Christi, featuring traditional Mexican dance, live music by Mariachi Celestial, and local performers at Del Mar College’s Richardson Performance Hall. Organizers say the family-friendly event will showcase regional dances from across Mexico, with tickets available online and at the door for general admission.
First Friday ArtWalk presented by H-E-B
7 – 10 p.m. at Downtown Corpus Christi, 539 Resaca St, Corpus Christi
Downtown Corpus Christi is set for a pirate-themed First Friday ArtWalk featuring live music, local art, food trucks, pop-up shops, and family activities across multiple downtown blocks and businesses. Organizers say the free event includes interactive experiences like a pirate treasure hunt, kids’ activities, shuttle service, and performances from local and nationally recognized artists.
4 – 8 p.m. at Downtown Corpus Christi, 100 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi
KidsWalk Pirate Field Day offers free family activities including crafts, games, and hands-on pirate-themed fun for all ages in Corpus Christi. Organizers say the event features treasure digs, costume stations, water play, and creative activities like map-making and flag design for the community.
For more Friday events from Visit Corpus Christi, click here.
Saturday, May 2
8 – 9:30 a.m. at Flour Bluff Intermediate School 377 Hustlin Hornet Dr, Corpus Christi
The Star Wars Day 5K in Flour Bluff brings runners and families together for a themed race featuring a 5K, kids’ run, costume contest, and family activities. Participants can register online to take part in the chip-timed event with awards, medals, and Star Wars-inspired fun for all ages.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Collier Pool 3801 Harris Dr, Corpus Christi
The Pool Rodeo at Collier Pool is a free Buc Days-themed event featuring fun pool games like “bull riding,” noodle races, and roping pool toys for families and kids. Guests are invited to enjoy a morning of splash-filled activities and community fun.
A Derby Day Affair: Mahjong & Mint Juleps
3 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Corpus Christi Country Club 6300 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi
A Kentucky Derby–inspired Mahjong fundraiser benefiting New Life Refuge Ministries will be held at the Corpus Christi Country Club, featuring themed attire, open play Mahjong, raffles, and light bites with mint juleps for VIP guests. The event invites the community to enjoy games, refreshments, and Derby-style festivities in support of a local cause.
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 4501 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi
Organizers say one of the biggest events of the year will feature major deals, free giveaways, and family-friendly activities, drawing crowds for a day of savings and entertainment.
5 p.m. at 511 Starr St, Corpus Christi
Crush the Coast brings two nights of heavy metal to House of Rock in Corpus Christi, featuring anniversary performances, legendary bands, and rising acts from the extreme music scene. Organizers say the event includes high-energy sets from groups like Cradle of Filth, Suffocation, and All Shall Perish, making it one of the biggest metal weekends on the coast.
For more Saturday events from Visit Corpus Christi, click here.
Sunday, May 3
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Fifth & Elm 201 5th St, Portland
Fiesta Sunday brings a free Cinco de Mayo celebration to Fifth & Elm in Corpus Christi featuring live music, food vendors, a salsa competition, and a grito contest. Organizers say the all-day event includes performances, local flavors, and family-friendly activities for the community.
2 – 4 p.m. at 440 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas
Sip & Shuck Tours offer a first-of-its-kind oyster farm boat experience in Texas, combining a cruise aboard The Scarlet Lady with fresh oysters, wine pairings, and a live oyster farming presentation. Organizers say the tour includes a two-hour coastal trip, drinks, and a hands-on look at oyster cultivation.
11 a.m. – 11 p.m. at Fifth & Elm 201 5th St, Portland
The Stripes Carnival at Buc Days offers rides, food, and family entertainment from Wade Shows Inc., with all-you-can-ride wristbands and general admission options available for guests. Admission includes access to attractions like rides, live shows, and exhibits, with pricing and wristbands varying by day and purchase method.
For more Sunday events from Visit Corpus Christi, click here.