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.