Get in on the celebrations.
Throughout the year, our creative and festive community comes together in celebration - and it can really draw a crowd! Here are some of our favorite annual events in Galveston that you're sure to love.
pictured: Mardi Gras! Galveston
The Galveston Island Shrimp Festival is a celebration of Galveston's great wild seafood and island lifestyle. The event features shrimp gumbo tasting, gumbo cookoff, an official 5K and more!
Artful, interesting and activity-oriented — that’s Galveston’s ARToberFEST. It’s the island's premier juried art festival, showcasing the works of over 120 U.S. artists and presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House.
Island Oktoberfest features live entertainment, shopping, a live auction, and assorted children’s activities. Come dressed in your finest German attire, witness the historic tapping of the keg, and delight in some authentic German food and drink!
Bikers and enthusiasts alike converged on Galveston every November for the famous Lone Star Rally, which offers four days of fun in the sun by the Gulf of Mexico's sparkling waters. The event brings together some 400,000 people and an estimated 150,000 motorcycles each year, making it North America's largest four-day bike rally.
As the largest holiday destination in the Southwest, Moody Gardens offers more holiday attractions, activities, festive fun, dining and hotel packages than you can imagine. Attractions feature the Festival of Lights, 4D & 3D Holiday Films, an Arctic Slide and more!
Dickens on The Strand is Galveston’s annual holiday street festival bursting with live entertainment on multiple streets, including strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers, and a crowd of entertainers and costumed revelers.
Holiday with the Cranes is presented by the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, a nonprofit volunteer organization that helps connect people with nature experiences and outdoor adventures, and promotes the value of natural habitats and resources in the Galveston Island area.
Chili Quest consists of the ever-so-popular Chili & Beer tasting with a ton of added perks. Get ready for Chili Sampling, live music, a 5K Fun Run/Walk, a washer pitching tournament, a jackpot margarita contest, vendors and a historical strand merchant walk-about.
Museum Day participants will have the opportunity to learn about Galveston’s place as one of the wealthiest cities in the United States during the late 1800s, the powerful families who helped build the city, Galveston’s significance to immigration in the region, and the importance of the industries that keep Galveston thriving.
Participating in Galveston Restaurant Week is easy! No tickets or passes are required! Food lovers may simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they like during Galveston Restaurant Week. Two and/or 3-course dinners will be priced between $20-$45; and 2-course lunches, breakfasts, & brunches will cost between $10-$20.
The colors. The parades. The beads. The incredible food, music, and crowds bursting with excitement - Mardi Gras has a lot to love. And when you add the sand between your toes and the epic views of the island of Galveston, Mardi Gras gets even better.
Presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House, The Grand Kids Festival is an avenue to introduce children and their families to the performing, visual and folk arts. Visitors can look forward to exciting entertainment, a variety of fun, family-friendly activities and live performances.
FeatherFest is an annual birding and nature photography festival held during spring migration in Galveston. This birding and nature photography festival is the perfect time for birders and people who just enjoy being outside to visit Galveston. Join us for a full week of birding, workshops, field trips and social events.
Chardonnay, Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir. If your taste buds respond to these names, you’re in the right place — the Galveston Wine Festival. This special festival showcases an amazing array of wines and live music around the island.
Come explore the beautiful nineteenth-century mansions and homes that have preserved Galveston’s architectural legacy. The 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.
The Annual World Wild Game Championship and BBQ Cook-off, benefiting the Yagas Childrens Fund Inc. is an excellent way for backyard chefs, sportsmen and women, and outdoor enthusiasts to show off their culinary skills and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun, fellowship and food.
Based on Island events from summer seasons past, the Galveston Island Beach Revue was resurrected into a contemporary two-day, family-friendly event in 2009. This event continues to grow each year through events, contestant participation, and attendance and is officially Galveston’s “Kickoff to Summer” event.
June 19th, otherwise known as Juneteenth, has a deep, historic connection to Galveston Island. Officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, this day has been recognized and celebrated on the island for decades with dedications, walks, festivals and more.
Nothing says "summer on Galveston Island" better than the 4th of July! Don't miss a wonderful evening with a glittering parade followed by a dazzling fireworks display over the Gulf.
Every year, over 60 teams put their eyes and shovels on winning the prestigious Golden Bucket Award. Firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event the teams, stretched along the beachfront, meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours.
