How is it April already? We’ve got a total solar eclipse on the horizon – and while we won’t see full totality on Monday, we’ll be pretty darn near it. If you are planning on viewing the eclipse, be sure to break out your handy, dandy solar eclipse glasses from the annular eclipse in October. But we’ve still got a full weekend of mischief (and food!) to get into before Monday. Here’s the fun you can have around the Coastal Bend:
49TH ANNUAL WINDFEST
Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.; Sunday, noon
Portland Community Center
Windfest breezes into town Friday, jam packed with all the fun you can find. Hop over the bridge to see the illuminated parade Friday night as local favorites Matt Hole, the East and the Crow and Seattle Rising rock the stage like a hurricane. The fun continues all weekend with the carnival, a BBQ cookoff, car show, weenie dog races and more. Click here for a full lineup. Daily admission is $10, but $25 gets you admission for all three days. 
HOOKS OPENING WEEKEND
Friday and Saturday, 7:05 p.m.; Sunday, 5:05 p.m.
Whataburger Field
Batter up: it’s finally baseball season and the Corpus Christi Hooks take on the Midland Rockhounds this weekend with three chances to take your fam out to the ballgame. Nab a T-shirt at Friday’s game, grab a Jose Altuve bobblehead at Saturday’s and nosh to your heart’s delight at Dollar Day on Sunday. Snag your tickets for any of the triple-game homestand here.
FESTIVAL DE MARIACHI EN LA ISLA
Thursday through Sunday
TAMUCC
Ay yi yi yi! Celebrate the cultural tradition of mariachi with the Festival de Mariachi en la Isla at TAMUCC this weekend. The festival kicks off Thursday, featuring local musicians. Grab your tickets for Friday’s Mariachi Mariposas at 7:30 p.m. Saturday is when all the fun happens – from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., your $20 all-day ticket covers art activities with local artist Mayra Zamora as middle and high school ensembles serenade you. The day caps off with a 7:30 p.m. performance by Mariachi 7 Leguas (tickets available for just the performance). The festival wraps up Sunday at 11 a.m. with a Mariachi service at the Corpus Christi Cathedral downtown. Tickets available here.
ART WALK
Friday, 5 p.m.
Downtown
It’s the first Friday of the month, so you know what that means: ARTWALK! Head downtown and catch your favorite local vendors and artisans, groove to live music and nosh on delicious meals from the coolest food trucks. The event spans nearly all of downtown from Lomax Street to Artesian Park, so there’s fun for the whole crew.
APRIL EXHIBIT OPENING
Friday, 5 p.m.
The Art Center of Corpus Christi
Stop by the Art Center of Corpus Christi during ArtWalk to catch its April exhibit opening. This month’s exhibits include: Botanicals, Collaborative Art, ‘Meet the Parents: Art of Moms, Dads & Parents’ and ‘Pawtrait Studio: A Community Pet Show.’ Admission is always free.
FIRST FRIDAY AT THE ART MUSEUM
Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Art Museum of South Texas
First Friday also means free admission all day to the Art Museum, presented by Frost Bank! Grab the whole family to take in the rotating exhibits on display. With extended hours, there’s no excuse not to embrace your inner Warhol or Picasso and find your way to the AMST. Bonus: hit the AMST outreach table at Art Walk for giveaways and art activities. (I mean, who doesn’t love free things?!)
PHOTO EXPO 2024: AN EXHIBITION OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday, 5 p.m.
TAMUCC, Mary and Jeff Bell Library
Marvel at the talent of more than 30 photographer’s work at the opening reception of Photo Expo 2024. The exhibit features more than 60 photos by members of the Corpus Christi Photography Club. Exhibit will stay open through April 27 at the Mary and Jeff Bell Library at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
RECKLESS KELLY
Friday, 6 p.m.
The Post OG
Kick up your boots at rockin’ good time with some down home Texas country-rock at the Post OG as Reckless Kelly, with Hill Country Revival and Michael Burtts. Doors open at 6 p.m. for this all-ages show, complete with a moon bounce for kiddos 12 and under. Hungry? No problem: Food trucks will be on-site, as well as a full bar for more adult libations. Tickets available online or at Big Joe’s Tire and Auto in Annaville, Cycle Plaza in Corpus Christi or Blue Ribbon Country Store in Beeville.
HOT YOGA, COLD BEER
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Nueces Brewing Company
Are you feeling a little downward dog? Mercury in retrograde got you out of alignment? Eclipse season throwing you off balance? Do you feel a little more limber with some liquid help? This donation-based class is held weekly in the brew room of Nueces Brewing. Grab a cold one for some hot yoga, and we promise you, you’ll feel like a happy baby in no time.
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S ‘OKLAHOMA!’
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Harbor Playhouse
Hop into your surry with the fringe on top for a hoedown at Harbor Playhouse with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’ What a beautiful evening you’ll have as local talent takes to the stage to present this classic musical. Snatch up your tickets now.
HERITAGE PARK MARKET DAYS
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Heritage Park
Don’t fool around this Saturday and miss the monthly installment of Heritage Park Market Days. This family- and pet-friendly market has something for everyone!
BIG BLOOM MEGA SALE
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Texas Botanical Gardens
It’s springtime: Time to get into your gardens and get a-plantin’. Or, if you’re like me, buying all the houseplants (that you may or may not keep alive). Head over to the South Texas Botanical Gardens for their Big Bloom Plant Sale and $2 community day admission. Peruse hundreds of plant varieties, including orchids, plumeria, tropical and native plants and more. Stay for the butterfly and ladybug releases as well as parrot and reptile presentations. Plus, if you get hungry, there’ll be food trucks serving up lunch. BYOPC: Bring your own plant cart so you can take home all your sweet new plant babies.
GYOZA CLASS
Saturday, 11 a.m. and noon
Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures
Dive into dumpling making at the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures’ cooking class. Learn how to make the ever popular gyoza, from making the filling and wrapping the dumplings. For $10, you’ll make five dumplings per person. Fillings include pork and other vegetables. Follow the link to claim your spot at either the 11 a.m. class or noon class.
VERNON’S CRAWFISH PACHANGA
Saturday, 11 a.m.
Vernon’s
It’s pachanga time! Vernon’s annual crawfish pachanga is back – and they’ll be serving up all the crawfish and cold beer you can handle. The party starts at 11 a.m.and lasts all day with live music from your favorite local bands. This year, SR Boil House has teamed up with Vernon’s to bring you all-you-can-eat crawfish. Grab your tickets here. (PS, if you see my boyfriend, chide him for not bringing me along, because I’m jealous that I’ll have to miss this yearly installment.)
TEXAS OYSTER ROUNDUP
Saturday, noon
Water Street Oyster Bar
OK, so mudbugs may not be for everyone. Don’t fret: from one crustacean to another mollusk, downtown Corpus has all of your seafood cravings covered this weekend. Water Street Oyster Bar’s second annual Texas Oyster Roundup celebrates the end of the state’s wild oyster season with live music, guest speakers and, of course, plenty of oysters. Indulge in an ocean of flavors with oyster dishes galore (with oysters sourced fresh from Texas waters). Put your shucking skills to the test in an oyster shucking contest. The event is free to attend but VIP tickets are available here.
9TH ANNUAL CORPUS CHRISTI FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.
Bayfront Park
Free up space in your tummies – fifty (that’s right, 5-0, 50, five-zero) food trucks will serve up their best dishes this Saturday at the annual Food Truck Festival in downtown Corpus Christi. It’s an all-day, fun-for-the-whole-family affair with live music, arts and crafts, face painting, a petting zoo and more. This free-to-attend, pet friendly festival will line Shoreline Boulevard at Bayfront Park. BYOA: Bring your own appetite!
4TH INVITATIONAL WIENER DOG DERBY
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Little Woodrow’s
Ask me about my wiener… dog! OK, so I may not have a weenie dog, but who doesn’t love their stubby little legs? They’re off to the races on Saturday – so if you’re a proud weenie dog owner or just a dog lover, head down to Little Woodrow’s for the 4th Invitational Wiener Dog Derby. Races start at 1 p.m.; check-in and registration starts at 11 a.m.
FOR CHICKS BY CHICKS SPRING MARKET
Saturday, 2 p.m.
The Annex
This market has gone to the chicks. Snag something new for you or for your favorite lady and support women-owned small businesses and vendors at For Chicks, By Chicks Spring market at the Annex.
PASTA MAKING CLASS
Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
Boarri Craft
Don’t regretti this opportunity to make your own spaghetti! (Yuck, even I’m disappointed in myself for that joke.) Join Gourmet Faye for a two-hour immersive course in pasta making. Get your hands dirty mixing, rolling and cooking pasta from Italian semolina flour and local farm fresh eggs. Learn how to make a rich, addictive sherry sauce while noshing on charcuterie and hors d’oeuvres. BYOB. More information on how to reserve your spot here.
GIMME GIMME DISCO
Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
House of Rock
Break out those platforms, honey, honey, because it’s time to boogie-oogie-oogie all night at House of Rock’s Gimme Gimme Disco. Take a chance to embrace your inner dancing queen (or king) while the DJs spin all of the ABBA hits you know and love (plus groove out to all the best disco jams of the 70’s and 80’s by The BeeGees, Donna Summer, Cher and more). Does your mother know you’ll be out? Grab yourself (and her!) a ticket here.
WATER STREET FARMER’S MARKET
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Water Street Market
Kick off your Sunday Funday by supporting local vendors and restocking your pantries with fresh veggies, and more, when you head down to the only Sunday farmer’s market at Water Street Market.
ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAWFISH KICKOFF PARTY
Sunday, noon
Brewster’s Street Icehouse – Downtown
Y’all, crafting this list this week has gotten me hungry. Can’t make it out to the annual crawfish pachanga at Vernon’s? You’re in luck: Brewster’s all-you-can-eat crawfish is back. Kick off the season Sunday with $3 domestic beers, mimosas and Bloody Marys. Your Sunday Funday wouldn’t be complete without live music by Aaron Jacob – just be sure to bring your appetite.
MARKET DAY AT BLUFF’S LANDING
Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
The Landing at Bluff’s Landing
Shop ’til ya drop at this month’s installment of market day at the Bluff’s Landing. The market highlights local vendors and creatives, so spend your Sunday funday supporting and shopping local! Plus, the swimming pool’s open, so bring your swimmies!
FAMILY DAY & VISIONARIOS AWARDS PRESENTATION
Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Art Museum of South Texas
Join Art Museum staff as they present this year’s awards for the Visionarios Youth Contest. Celebrate our homegrown artists and their talent at a special family day this Sunday. As always, Family Days are free to attend. Learn more about Visionarios here.
FOOD TRUCKS FOODIES FEST
Sunday, 2-8 p.m.
Lazy Beach Brewery
Calling all foodies: Hungry for some Sunday Funday plans? Lazy Beach has you covered with a food truck festival this Sunday at their Southside location. Grab something from your favorite trucks, including Taqueria Mi Sierra, T&K SmokeShack, Miss J’s Curbside Pies, Latin Calzone, Roamin Italy, Sarah’s Sweets and Fulton Kettle. (Man, there’s a lot of good eatin’ to do this weekend!)
Hey besties! Got a beat on the hottest things happening around the Coastal Bend? Drop this events writer a line at diandraspicak@gmail.com, or find me on Instagram @deeanndruh or on Facebook. And, as always, email us at righton@rightoncorpus.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @rightoncorpus, and DM us there, too! We’re always looking for new things around the Coastal Bend.
