South Padre Island Events
- Overview
- Attractions
- Events
- Facts
- Kids
Mid January
Annual Taste of the Island
The Annual Taste of the Island, one of the most looked forward to events of the
year, is held at the South Padre Island Convention Centre from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. Area restaurants showcase their excellent food items, and there is also be
a free tradeshow and live music for your listening enjoyment.Ticket information
is available at the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce office located at 600
Pare Blvd., South Padre Island.
Early February
Annual Kite Festival
The summer blue sky will be
filled with diving, darting, fluttering and hovering kites. Experts and other
kite lovers are on hand to teach the fine art of hand-held sky ballet. South
Padre Island is host to two kite festivals each year.
Early February
Annual South Padre Island Chili
Expo (SPICE)
In good-natured competition, cooking teams vie for votes from the crowd for the
coveted People's Choice award and turn in their judging cups to be ranked by
local celebrity judges. There are also awards for Showmanship, Best Vegetarian,
Best Open Category and 1st through 10th Place for Best Recipe. Criteria taken
into consideration for judging is aroma, consistency, red color, taste, and
aftertaste. Showmanship (must have chili entered) is judged on theme, costume,
booth set-up, action, and audience appeal. South Padre Island Chamber at
956-761-4412
Early May
Annual Windsurfing Blowout
This USWA (U.S.
Windsurfing Association) event invites all recreational windsurfers to compete
in course slalom and distance races. Finalists are sent to compete in higher
divisions. Now a nationally recognized event, it has become an Island springtime
tradition
Friday nights
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Fireworks
Every Friday night is the
Fourth of July on the Island. At 9:15 sharp, a silent barge in the center of the
Bay releases it's payload into the summer sky. With the firework light
reflecting off the water, it's a breathtaking display.
Early August
Annual Texas International
Fishing Tournament
For more than 66
years, the Texas International Fishing Tournament has taken pride in creating an
atmosphere of friendly fishing competition and wholesome family fun. The five
day event, , offers fishing divisions that include bay, offshore and tarpon.
TIFT is open to anglers of all ages and is the largest saltwater fishing
tournament in Texas. (956) 943-8438
Mid August
Annual Ladies Kingfish
Tournament
The Ladies Kingfish
Tournament has been an Island tradition for many years. The tournament is
divided into two divisions, bay and offshore. Qualifying fish include redfish,
trout and flounder for bay, and backfin tuna, dolphin and bonito for offshore.
Like TIFT, the tournament is open to anglers of all ages.
Grand Champion Offshore and
Overall Largest Fish. Prizes are also awarded for the best Hard Luck Story in
each division. (956) 761-4412
Mid October
Bikefest and Motorcycle
Convention Rally
It's a South Padre
Island Hog Rally that's billed as "The Roar by the Shore."
Late October
Sand Castle Days
It's art and
architecture in the sand. Get down and gritty along with sandcastle wizards who
will inspire you to build sky scraping turrets and mind-bending arches. At the
end of the day, go splash off in the Gulf and admire what your hands and buckets
hath wrought. Prizes awarded for the most exemplary effort.
Early November
Tails Over South Padre Island Fun Fly Fiesta
The clear blue sky is filled
with diving, darting, fluttering and hovering kites. Experts and other kite
lovers are on hand to teach the fine art of hand-held sky ballet. South Padre
Island is host to two kite festivals each year.
