Happy Fall, Y'all

Fall hits differently on an island. In Port A, it’s downright "gourd-geous" cool Gulf breezes, golden light, and beach days that don’t clock out when the calendar flips. While other places bundle up for chilly winds and pumpkin patches, our “patches” are carved from sand, with warm tides lapping at your toes. Give this island a turn as your autumn escape, and you’ll see why so many fall for Port Aransas.

Events Happening This Fall!

Beachtober

October in Port Aransas turns into Beachtober, a month-long string of weekend events that pair perfect fall beach weather with music, food, and family fun. Think live-music weekends, tasty trails like the Taco & Margarita Trail and Sweet Traditions, plus active staples such as Flynn’s Beach Run, all spread across the island so you can mix mellow beach time with something new every visit. 

Taco and Margarita Trail

During Beachtober, Port A turns tacos-and-tequila into a month-long flavor crawl: the Taco & Margarita Trail runs October 1 through the 31, with participating restaurants serving limited-time taco-and-margarita pairings at special prices, so you can sample a few (or all) as you beach-hop around town.

Sweet Traditions Trail

Got a sweet tooth? During Beachtober, Port A rolls out the Sweet Traditions Trail, a month-long dessert crawl running October 1 through 31, with island restaurants serving limited-time treats at special prices so you can sample your way around town between beach breaks. Think pies and cobblers, cakes and puddings, gelatos and fudges, an all-October excuse to chase your favorite flavors from one stop to the next.

Shoptober

Ready to level up your fall shopping? Shoptober returns October 17 through 19, when Port A’s local shops roll out seasonal deals on everything from beachwear you missed this summer to coastal home décor. Track participating shops in the Visit Port Aransas app-open Trails → Shoptober, tap into each stop’s details, then check in as you browse; hit five stops to complete the trail and earn your badge. Perfect beach weather, island finds, and a little treasure hunt built in, now that’s how you do a fall shop-around!

Flynn's Beach Run

Beachtober’s healthy tradition returns with Flynn’s Beach Run on Saturday, October 25, choose a 10K, 5K, or 1-mile Family Fun Run, all starting and finishing at Horace Caldwell Pier with an 8 a.m. start. Registration is $25 (5K), $30 (10K), and $20 for youth and the Family Walk/Run (add $10 day-of), with packet pickup on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Welcome Center. A virtual 5K option is available, and proceeds support Port Aransas High School runners and local sustainability efforts

Sand Pumpkin Patch

Carve the Day Away

Celebrate Halloween in Port A at the Sand Pumpkin Patch—a public, family-friendly event hosted by the Port Aransas Parks & Rec Department on Saturday, October 25, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Head to the beach to “carve” your very own pumpkin made of sand, no experience needed, just creativity and a willingness to get a little sandy! Parks & Rec volunteers will be on hand to help, so bring the whole crew for a festive morning of coastal fun. While not required, guests are encouraged to bring one non-perishable food item to support our community. See you on the shore for a spooky night! 

Port Aransas Turkey Trot

Don't miss Gobble on the Grand!

Kick off Thanksgiving week island-style at the Port Aransas Turkey Trot on Wednesday, November 26, with races starting at 9 a.m. on the Grand Lawn at Palmilla Beach Resort. Choose a 10K, 5K, or 2K, plus a free Tot Trot, then stick around for a festive morning with food trucks, inflatables for the kids, music, lawn games, and a vendor village—rain or shine. Proceeds support Trinity by the Sea Episcopal Day School, Port A’s only day school. Packet pickup happens Tuesday night at the Gobble on the Grand party, enjoy a lively vendor village, bounce houses, and an inflatable obstacle course for the big kids, nonstop music, lawn games, and even a bracket-style, single-elimination tournament that always draws a crowd. It’s Thanksgiving week, Port A-style!