Events

Make your Port Aransas getaway even more memorable with a visit to the 2026 Port Aransas Wooden Boat Festival. This annual three-day, family-friendly celebration showcases the craftsmanship and coastal heritage of wooden boat building, with an impressive collection of handcrafted kayaks, paddleboards, skiffs, sailing boats and historic Farley boats.

The festival celebrates a boat-building tradition with deep roots in Port Aransas. The Farley brothers began building some of the country’s first production sportfishing boats here in 1915, and today that legacy continues through Farley Boat Works and the community surrounding it.

One of the festival’s signature attractions is the Family Boat Build, where families and teams take on the challenge of constructing a wooden Port A skiff during festival weekend before the finished boats are launched at the marina. Visitors can also enjoy beautiful wooden boats, coastal activities and a celebration of the maritime traditions that have helped shape Port Aransas.

Planning a November stay? Book one of our Port Aransas condos and make the Wooden Boat Festival part of your island getaway.

Ring in the New Year on the Texas Coast

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a little extra sparkle in Port Aransas! The annual Port Aransas New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display is a festive way to close out the year, bringing brilliant bursts of color to the night sky over the island.

Gather your family and friends, enjoy a day at the coast, and then find a great viewing spot for the fireworks. Whether you’re planning a New Year’s getaway with the whole family, celebrating with friends, or escaping to the beach as a couple, Port Aransas makes a memorable place to welcome 2027.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Port Aransas

The fireworks display takes place on Thursday, December 31, 2026, giving visitors and locals a chance to celebrate together before ringing in the New Year.

Find your viewing spot, bundle up if the evening turns cool, and get ready to watch the Port Aransas sky light up for one of the final celebrations of 2026.

Make It a New Year’s Getaway

Why make the trip just for the evening? Turn New Year’s Eve into a relaxing winter getaway and enjoy a few days in Port Aransas.

Spend your final days of 2026 walking the beach, browsing local shops, enjoying fresh Gulf seafood, fishing, or simply slowing down and enjoying island time. Then, after the fireworks, head back to the comfort of your Port Aransas vacation rental—no long drive home required. New Year’s Eve is a popular time for a winter escape to the coast, especially for families and groups looking to celebrate together. Booking your accommodations early gives you the best selection of properties for your trip.

Experience one of the Texas Coast's most celebrated wildlife events during the 2027 Whooping Crane Festival in beautiful Port Aransas. Each winter, visitors from across the country travel to the Coastal Bend to witness the majestic endangered whooping cranes that call the nearby Aransas National Wildlife Refuge home.