Though the bulk of fall fests are now behind us and a full lineup of must-attend holiday events is just around the corner, there are still plenty of festivals and fairs in Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas to attend over the next few weeks. From Kingsville’s Annual Ranch Hand Weekend to the Corpus Christi Wine Festival, here are seven community events to mark on your calendars.
Texas Thespians State Festival South 2024
When: Nov. 15-18 | Where: American Bank Center
The Texas Thespians State Festivals bring together over 10,000 delegates from across the state for one of the largest annual celebrations of theatre. This November, students and troupe directors will gather for a weekend immersed in performances, workshops, panel discussions and more. With theatre as the heart of the festival, participants have the unique opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate their shared passion on a grand scale. For programming and schedule information, visit the festival’s website.
Islander Lights 2024
When: Nov. 22, 5-8 p.m. | Where: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Campus
Join Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for its annual kick-off to the holiday season. The whole community is invited to partake in this special event on Nov. 122 starting at 5 p.m. Here you’ll find live music, refreshments, games, mini horses, activities, an arts and crafts market with items for sale and a visit from Santa Claus. The evening ends with the ceremonial campus lighting and the “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert.
2nd Annual Salsa Fest & Competition
When: Nov. 23-24 | Where: Downtown, Aransas Pass, TX
Hosted by DNA Productions, head out to downtown Port Aransas from Nov. 23-24 for the 2nd Annual Salsa Fest & Competition! The festival will include a beer garden, vendor market, kids activities, live music, dancing and tons of salsa. Make sure to taste your way through the salsa samplings and select your pick for the People’s Choice Award.
Annual Ranch Hand Weekend
When: Nov. 22-23 | Where: Various Locations in Kingsville
Everyone is invited for a weekend of food, fun and family as the City of Kingsville celebrates the Ranch Hand Weekend Nov. 22-23. The festival honors the city’s rich cultural heritage as one of the mainstays of the Texas ranching industry and will feature food, live music, cooking demonstrations, art, two-step dancing and more. One of the most anticipated events of the weekend is the Ranch Hand Breakfast on Nov. 23 where visitors can enjoy eggs, refried beans, biscuits n’ gravy, sausage, tortillas, coffee and juice while watching team roping demonstrations, re-enactors, musical entertainment, poetry and storytelling at The King Ranch. Tickets are available for purchase online.
6th Annual Corpus Christi Wine Festival
When: Nov. 23, 3 p.m.-12 a.m. | Where: Herritage Park
The Corpus Christi Wine Festival brings the community together for a celebration of wine, food and music at Heritage Park. Attendees can enjoy tastings from Texas wineries and international selections, along with an array of local food trucks and artisan vendors. The event features a diverse lineup of musical acts, including performances by surf-legend-turned-musician Donavon Frankenreiter and Texas Country favorite Bart Crow.
December ArtWalk featuring Mayor Guajardo’s Sparkling Christmas Lights Contest
When: Dec. 6, 6-10 p.m. | Where: Downtown Corpus Christi
Head downtown on Dec. 6 from 6-10 p.m. for the monthly ArtWalk with a festive twist! The December event will include a variety of pop-up vendors across the area and other typical ArtWalk activities, along with Mayor Guajardo’s Sparkling Christmas Lights Contest. This community-inclusive event challenges businesses and property owners in the area to decorate their buildings and storefronts with holiday magic for the chance to win cash prizes and bragging rights. Wander around downtown Corpus Christi and marvel at the decor as you enjoy ArtWalk and then vote for your favorite displays on Facebook and Instagram in the following days!
South Texas Underground Film Festival
When: TBA| Where: TBA
The 12th Annual South Texas Underground Film Festival will provide five days of fun for filmmakers and film lovers alike. The festival aims to showcase films without discrimination, promote the creation of new films, celebrate the art of filmmaking and provide a network of fellow filmmakers. This year’s festival saw several hundreds of film submissions and will screen 60 of them throughout the five-day event. The lineup includes a vast variety of genres, Q&A sessions post-screenings, panels, workshops and more. The full block schedules and ticket information are available online. Visit the festival’s website for updated information on dates and programming.
