On the third weekend of every month, the Rockport Festival Grounds down at the harbor fill with rows of vendor booths, the smell of kettle corn, and live music drifting out over Aransas Bay. That is Rockport Fulton Market Days, the open-air market where Texas makers, food trucks, and musicians turn an ordinary summer Saturday into the best part of the weekend. From The Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay, the whole scene is a short drive up the shoreline.
Because our hotel in Rockport, TX, sits right on the water, you can start with the complimentary breakfast buffet, spend the afternoon working the booths, then come back to a private bayfront balcony, the 60-foot heated pool, and the hot tub. Cap the night with a hand-cut steak or fried Gulf shrimp at The Palm Room Bar & Grill, and the day lands right where a coastal weekend should.
What to Expect at Rockport Fulton Market Days
Rockport Fulton Market Days has filled the Rockport Festival Grounds for more than 15 years, and each one draws over 100 vendors from around the state! There is plenty of shaded seating and free face painting, too, so guests can settle in and stay awhile.
Tables run heavy with coastal artwork, hand-poured candles, custom jewelry, boutique clothing, and resale finds. Food trucks are set up alongside them, offering barbecue, street tacos, kettle corn, and cold lemonade, while live music plays from morning into the afternoon.
Plan Your Visit to the Rockport Festival Grounds
Rockport Fulton Market Days runs the third weekend of every month, so it fits splendidly into a weekend getaway at The Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay. It’s held at the Rockport Festival Grounds, just a little under three miles from the hotel. You can find the exact dates and times on the official market schedule before you go!
Where Else to Shop in Rockport-Fulton
If Rockport Fulton Market Days leaves you in the mood to keep browsing, the Texas Coast delivers. Fill out the weekend with a few more local shopping stops:
- The Rockport Cultural Arts District: Stroll the walkable heart of the local art scene, where restored historic storefronts hold boutiques, coastal home décor, gift shops, and galleries side by side.
- Rockport Center for the Arts: A block from Aransas Bay, this free arts campus, rebuilt after Hurricane Harvey, features art galleries, a sculpture garden, and a gift shop stocked with work by local and Texas artists.
- More to Explore: Our blog page highlights some of the area’s best shops, galleries, and coastal attractions.