Updated April 17, 2026, 10:10 a.m. CT
The annual Buc Days festival returns to Corpus Christi starting April 18 with parades, a carnival, and a rodeo.Events include the Sunrise Stampede 5K, multiple parades, and the traditional Dunking of the Mayor.The festival features the PBR Velocity Tour Finals and Rodeo Corpus Christi, followed by live concerts.
Buc Days, an annual Corpus Christi staple, returns to the Coastal Bend starting April 18.
Attendees can enjoy parades, a carnival, a rodeo, live music, food and more.
Tickets may be purchased online at bucdays.com or at the festival gates.
Here’s a guide to make sure you capture the full experience of the event. For the full schedule, visit bucdays.com/schedule.
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The Driscoll Children’s Parade and Buc Days 5K, now known as the Sunrise Stampede, will be held in Portland on April 18.
The Sunrise Stampede will start with the 5K at 9 a.m. at Fifth & Elm, located at 201 Fifth St. The Children’s Parade will start an hour later at Gregory-Portland Middle School, head down Wildcat Drive and end at Fifth & Elm.
To register for the 5K, visit bucdays.com/attractions/buc-days-5k.
The Stadium Show at Buc Stadium will kick off the festivities at 7 p.m. April 25.
Attendees will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the parade from seats in the stands. Tickets are $11.30 per person. Children 3 and under get free admission, but they must sit on a lap. Reserved seating will require tickets for all ages, and tickets are $16.95 per person.
As floats and marchers exit the Stadium Show, they will start the Buc Days Rally Night Parade on Leopard Street around 8 p.m. The parade will end at Water’s Edge Park.
Dunking of the Mayor
At 5:25 p.m. April 30, people can watch Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo jump into Corpus Christi Bay.
The annual Dunking of the Mayor, when city leaders “walk the plank,” has been a tradition since the 1950s. The best spot to see the dive is from the seawall on Shoreline Boulevard.
Carnival and Treasure Island
The Stripes Carnival and Treasure Island, an indoor vendor market, will be open from April 30 through May 10.
Carnival rides accept tickets or the $27 presale All-You-Can-Ride wristband. Weekday wristbands on site will be $32 and weekend ones will be $42.
Aside from vendors, Treasure Island will feature racing pigs, a petting zoo, pony rides, concession areas and more.
Local musicians will serenade crowds at the Buckin’ Marlin Stage in the Stripes Carnival and Beer and Wine Garden Stage at the Hilliard Center Plaza.
Professional Bull Riders Velocity Tour Finals
For two days, the PBR Velocity Tour Finals will feature some of the best athletes of the sport going head to head with the fiercest bulls in the country.
Finals start at 7 p.m. May 1 and end May 2. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or at the Hilliard Center Box Office. The two-day package starts at $130.
After the finals, stay in your seats for some live entertainment. On May 1, country singer Carly Pearce will take the stage. The following day, comedian Larry the Cable Guy will make you laugh out loud.
Rodeo Corpus Christi and Concert Series
Rodeo Corpus Christi will be held from May 5 through May 9 at the Hilliard Center Arena.
The rodeo will start at 7 p.m. each day — except May 9, when the start time is 6 p.m. — and will include saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and more.
Tickets start at $36.55 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or at the Hilliard Center Box Office. Tickets also include the scheduled Rodeo Concert after the dust settles.
The entertainers taking the stage are:
The Marshall Tucker BandSwitchfootDavid Lee Garza Reunion with Jay PerezThe Emilio Navaira Tribute featuring Diego and Emilio NavairaMidlandShane Smith and The Saints
The acts will come on after Rodeo Corpus Christi is over and the stage is set, which could be roughly 30 minutes to an hour.
Where to park
Attendees will pay $15 at any of the multiple parking lots near the Hilliard Center.
To avoid the hassle of finding a parking lot, pre-purchase a parking pass online. All pre-purchased online parking passes are single-use and are valid at any of the Buc Days operated lots.
Parking passes are $15 and can be purchased at tickets.bucdays.com/p/tickets.
Motorists can also park at Whataburger Field for $15 and hop on one of the free Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority shuttles to be dropped off at the gate.
The shuttle runs from 3 to 11 p.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends.
Bag policy
All bags will be checked at public gates into the festival grounds and inside the Hilliard Center. Bags, briefcases, strollers and backpacks are subject to search and seizure at festival gates.
Any bags larger than a clutch bag will need to be clear. Bags larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches will not be allowed inside the Hilliard Center. Guests who have bags larger than that size will be asked to return them to their vehicles.
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Small clutch bags or purses do not need to be clear, but cannot exceed 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches. The Hilliard Center will allow each member of a party, including children, to bring in a large clear Ziploc bag full of their belongings.
Prohibited itemsAlcohol, drugs, illegal substances or any paraphernalia associated with drug useAudio/video recorders, professional cameras or tripodsSelfie sticksCans, bottles, coolers or other similar containersFireworksFlags/signs with polesiPads/tablets of any sizeLaser pens/pointers of any typeNoisemakers such as air hornsOutside food or drinksOversized bags, backpacks, duffel bags or diaper bagsPepper spray/maceWeapons of any type including chains, knives, firearms and spiked jewelryAny other item deemed unacceptable by event/building management
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.
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