Photo courtesy of Debbie Noble
The Coastal Bend's biggest annual celebration is back — and this year, Portland, Texas has a front-row seat to kick off the festivities! On Saturday, April 18, Buc Days brings three of its events to Fifth & Elm for the very first time. The rest of the festival? Twelve minutes away.
Kick off the weekend on Saturday, April 18 at Fifth & Elm (201 5th Street, Portland, TX) with the Buc Days Sunrise Stampede, presented by ArcelorMittal. Think of it as the official morning of Buc Days — a free cowboy breakfast, live music under the open sky, face painting for the kids, cornhole, roping dummies, interactive booths, and giveaways by community partners. It's completely free and open to everyone while supplies last!
Saturday, April 18 Schedule
Running alongside the Sunrise Stampede is the Buc Days 5K, now hosted at Fifth & Elm for the first time in 2026. Whether you're a seasoned runner chasing a personal record or just running for the finisher medal and the story, this race is a morning worth setting your alarm for. The 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. There's also a 1-Mile Fun Run for younger participants!
Registration is required.
Then at 10:00 a.m., the Driscoll Children's Parade rolls into Portland — bringing marching groups, dancers, creative floats, and standout youth organizations from across the Coastal Bend right through the streets of Portland.
The route starts at Gregory-Portland Middle School, travels down Wildcat Drive, and finishes at Fifth & Elm, where the Sunrise Stampede is still going strong, the music is still playing, and the whole community is gathered to cheer.
The morning wraps up at Fifth & Elm, but there's no reason to rush off. Portland is an easy town to slow down in, and the waterfront is right there waiting.
Walk or drive five minutes to Sunset Lake Park for a quiet stretch along the water before the afternoon heats up. Head to the Chris Andrews Boat Launch (125 US-181) for kayaking, fishing, or just watching the bay. If you worked up an appetite at the 5K, Donut Man on Moore Ave is the move — kolaches, coffee, and no judgment on how many you order.
By evening, Fifth & Elm's own restaurant The Grove is the easy call. Gulf Coast oysters, fish tacos, and a cocktail from The Birdie Lounge with the bay breeze coming in. It's the kind of dinner that makes you wish you'd booked an extra night.
Read how to plan your perfect 48 hours in Portland, Texas here.
When most people think Buc Days, they think rodeo. And this year's lineup earns every bit of that reputation.
The action kicks off with the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals on May 1 to May 2 at the Hilliard Center Arena. This is elite professional bull riding — the top riders in the world going up against bulls bred for one purpose. The atmosphere is loud, the performances are jaw-dropping, and the entertainment that follows each night makes the whole evening a reason to stay. Carly Pearce takes the stage Friday, May 1. Larry the Cable Guy closes out Saturday, May 2.
Then Rodeo Corpus Christi runs May 5 to May 9 — five consecutive nights of PRCA professional rodeo featuring saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, mutton bustin', and more. And every night, when the last event wraps and the dust settles, the arena becomes a concert venue.
Here's the 2026 concert lineup:
Five nights. Five artists. Five reasons to have a Portland hotel room waiting when you get back. All of it twelve minutes away.
Buc Days runs through May 10, and if Portland already has your attention, here's every reason to make it your home base for the whole run. Already planning a trip back? Consider this your invitation.
The Buc Days Stripes Carnival at the Hilliard Center runs the full length of the festival through May 10. It's a full-scale midway with rides and attractions for every age, from classic carousels and Ferris wheels to the kind of stomach-dropping thrill rides that earn a second trip. The carnival food alone is worth a mention: fried Oreos, turkey legs, lemonade, and every festival staple you could want. Midweek wristbands run $32; weekend wristbands $42.
On Saturday, April 25, downtown Corpus Christi lights up for the Buc Days Night Parade at 8:00 p.m. Floats, marching bands, and crowds stretching for blocks — this is the kind of evening event that makes you glad you booked a room nearby. Watch the parade, grab a late dinner, and be back in Portland before midnight with the family.
The Shops at Treasure Island, located inside the Carnival grounds, brings indoor shopping to the Hilliard Center with over 76,000 square feet of vendor space stocked with cowboy hats, boots, handcrafted Texas goods, and more. There's also a petting zoo, pig races, and pony rides — which makes this an easy stop for families with younger kids who want a midway break.
Portland has twelve convenient hotels, all within easy reach of Fifth & Elm, the Hilliard Center, and every Buc Days event in Corpus Christi. Most offer free breakfast. Browse our local hotels here.
For more information on Buc Days, visit bucdays.com.
Buc Days is the reason to visit the Coastal Bend. Portland is the reason to stay. And when you visit, share your Portland moments with us — tag your photos and videos with #VisitPortlandTexas for a chance to be featured on our page. We love seeing Portland through your eyes.
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