Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

Annual Events in Galveston, Texas

Celebrate what makes Galveston, Galveston.

Annual events in Galveston, Texas, bring the Island to life with festivals, parades and traditions throughout the year. From Mardi Gras! Galveston and Juneteenth to the Lone Star Rally and Dickens on The Strand, Galveston’s year-round calendar is filled with signature celebrations and seasonal favorites.

Parades, festivals, and seasonal celebrations fill the calendar with chances to gather, unwind, and enjoy Galveston’s unique spirit.

Upcoming Events

Pictured: Galveston Island Wine Festival

Fall Events

Galveston Pirate Festival

For three swashbucklin’ days, the island will brim with costumed rogues, live shanties, cannon fire, and treasure-worthy fun for the whole family.

Date(s): September 14-20, 2026

Galveston Sandcastle Festival

Every summer in Galveston, experience 25+ teams competing to win the prestigious Golden Bucket Award.

Date(s): September 19-20, 2026

Galveston Island Shrimp Festival

Celebrate coastal flavor and community spirit at the Galveston Island Shrimp Festival, a two-day tradition filled with food and fun.

Date(s): September 25-26, 2026

In Galveston this fall, explore haunted mansions, ghost stories, and frightful fun for all.

Date(s): October 1-31, 2026

Galveston Island Greek Festival

Two full days of Opa! and YaSou!, the event features authentic food prepared on site, Greek wines, Greek beer, bouzouki, Greek DJ, dancing, vendors, gifts, and tours of the Church.

Date(s): October 10-11, 2026

ARToberFEST brings a day filled with original art, creativity, and curated experiences to Galveston’s historic downtown each October.

Date(s): October 17-18, 2026

Island Oktoberfest

Every October, Galveston’s historic district fills with music, food, and festivities during the island’s annual family-friendly Oktoberfest celebration.

Date(s): October 23-24, 2026

Dia de Los Muertos

Join the festivities of a day full of great live music, delicious food and arts/crafts vendors, ballet folklorico dancers, traditional Azteca dancers, an altar and offerings, and much more.

Date(s): October 31, 2026

Lone Star Rally

Every November, engines roar and the island rumbles as thousands roll into Galveston for the country’s biggest four-day motorcycle rally.

Date(s): November 5-8, 2026

Winter Events

Holiday in the Gardens

Moody Gardens transforms into Holiday in the Gardens, where ICE LAND, sparkling lights, and family traditions create magical holiday memories.

Date(s): November 21, 2026 - January 2, 2027

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is an immersive family-oriented experience at the Galveston Railroad Museum held every year during the holiday season.

Date(s): Nov 13 - Dec 23, 2026

Dickens on The Strand

Victorian traditions come alive during Galveston Island’s Dickens on The Strand, a holiday festival filled with music, costumes, and spirited celebrations.

Date(s): December 4-6, 2026

Holiday with the Cranes

Visitors to Galveston, TX are welcome to celebrate the arrival of the majestic Sandhill Cranes wintering on the island.

Date(s): December 12-13, 2026

Santa Hustle® Race Series

Get ready to dash into the holiday spirit at the Santa Hustle Galveston, an annual festive race that brings plenty of Christmas cheer to the island!

Date: December 20, 2026

Galveston Restaurant Week

Galveston Restaurant Week(s) showcases the island’s incredible culinary scene at unbeatable prices!

Date(s): TBD January, 2027

Art Week Galveston

Join us for an unforgettable week celebrating creativity in Galveston's Cultural Arts District!

Date(s): January 9-16, 2027

Yaga’s Chili Quest, Beers & Cheers

Head to Galveston's red hot Yaga's Chili Quest, Beers & Cheers for serious chili sampling, live music, a 5K fun run/walk, and more in Historic Downtown Galveston.

Date(s): January 15-16, 2027

Galveston Museum Weekend

Galveston Museum Weekend offers visitors the chance to explore 14 museums at free or discounted rates, making it the perfect opportunity to discover the stories behind this historic beach town.

Date(s): January 22-24, 2027

Mardi Gras! Galveston

Discover the excitement of Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States!

Date(s): Jan 29-Feb 9, 2027

Spring Events

The Ultimate Celebration of America’s Iconic Muscle Car! Join us for Galveston Mustang Week, featuring thrilling car shows, competitions, and unforgettable excitement celebrating the iconic Ford Mustang!

Dates: April 13–17, 2027

FeatherFest Birding and Nature Photo Festival

Springtime on Galveston Island beckons as migrating birds arrive, inviting bird watching and photography enthusiasts to explore nature’s wonders!

Date(s): April 15-18, 2027

The Grand Kids Festival

Set sail for a swashbucklin’ adventure where Art & History chart the course, benefiting children's programs at The Grand 1894 Opera House.

Date(s): April 24, 2027

RailFest: Model Train Rally

Enjoy the excitement of large sized model trains, entertainment, interactive activities, train rides, vendors, and more!

Date(s): April 24–25, 2027

Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl

Flamingo Fest is a lively coastal celebration filled with art, music, and tropical flair, highlighted by a vibrant parade of colorful floats, creative costumes, and plenty of pink. The fun continues with a spirited pub crawl, where attendees can explore local bars, enjoy themed drinks, and soak up the festive atmosphere.

Date: May 1, 2027

La Izquierda Surf and Music Festival

La Izquierda celebrates surf culture, local art, and live music with a lively gathering in Galveston. Featuring local and regional artists, the festival showcases the island’s creative spirit and coastal lifestyle all while honoring the preservation of its beaches and natural shoreline.

Date(s): May 1-2, 2026

Historic Homes Tour

Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s architectural history through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour.

Date(s): May 1-2 & 8-9, 2027

Cinco De Mayo Parade

Join the Cinco De Mayo festivities, hosted by LULAC. Come dressed in traditional attire and charro outfits celebrating Mexican heritage, culture, and community.

Date: May 8, 2027

Yaga’s Wild Game & BBQ Cook Off

The Wild Game and BBQ Cookoff is a two-day, family-friendly festival at Moody Gardens featuring competitive barbecue and wild game cooking, live entertainment, a 5K fun run, kids’ activities, and a silent auction. Guests can enjoy great food, music, and fun while supporting Yaga’s Children’s Fund.

Date(s): May 8-9, 2026

Summer Events

Galveston Island Revue Weekend

The Galveston Island Revue Weekend is the bees’ knees, a real humdinger of an event bringing back the glitz, the glamour, and the good times of a bygone era.

Date(s): June 4-5, 2027

Galveston Steampunk Festival

Prepare your goggles and fasten your corsets—Galveston is transforming into a world of brass, gears, and imagination! Set against the historic backdrop of Moody Gardens and Galveston’s storied past, this immersive festival transports guests into an alternate history where steam powers the future.

Date(s): June 5-7, 2026

World Ocean Day

Celebrate World Ocean Day on Galveston Island and experience the ocean’s wonders through exciting activities and unforgettable moments.

Date(s): June 8, 2027

Juneteenth Celebrations

Galveston is where Juneteenth began, and the story of freedom continues to echo across the island. Here, the legacy isn’t just remembered. It’s lived.

Date(s): June 1-30, 2027

July 4th Festivities

Celebrate America's 251st anniversary in-style on Galveston Island. Take in a beachfront parade and fireworks show, a celebration rooted in tradition, but made unforgettable by its coastal setting.

Date(s): July 2-5, 2027

Galveston Island Wine Festival

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with bold wines, coastal charm, and unforgettable bites at the Galveston Island Wine Festival.

Date(s): September 4-6, 2026

Make the Most of Your Trip

Galveston Island Events Calendar

Places to Stay in Galveston, TX

Best Things to Do on Galveston Island

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Galveston, Texas