The Galveston Island Revue Weekend features classic cars, vintage vendors, live music, and the crowd-favorite Bathing Beauties contest.
Based on Island events from summer seasons past like the Pageant of Pulchritude and Splash Day, the Galveston Island Revue Weekend was resurrected into a contemporary family-friendly event in 2009. Continue reading to learn more about this year's event highlights.
Date(s): August 11-13, 2023
Dubbed the “Pageant of Pulchritude” by C.E. Barfield, the Galveston beauty contest began in the summer of 1920 and from then on marked the kick-off for tourist season each year. By 1928, the event (which had morphed into the “bathing girl revue”) had become so popular, the Island’s population was said to have tripled during the event weekend.
These Island pageants are said to have been the beginning of what we know today as the Miss Universe Pageant. The famed Galveston Bathing Beauties pageants ended in 1932 due in part to the Great Depression and were resurrected in 2009. The event’s location is footsteps away from its original location in the early 1920s.
The weekend’s main event features the world-famous Bathing Beauties on August 12 from 5PM to 9PM! The contest has become a must-see event as locals and tourists of all ages vie for a glimpse at the vintage swimsuits, parasols and cheer on this year’s contestants as they compete for bragging rights, cash prizes, sashes, and more. Free to the public at Saengerfest Park!
Hot rods, rat rods, vintage trailers, and more are lining up to take part in the Galveston Island Revue Classic Car Show! It's an evening of can’t-miss vintage-inspired fun on Saturday, August 12, from 5PM to 9PM. New in 2023, the car show will be a downtown evening event at Saengerfest Park!
Galveston Island Revue is a fun way to welcome the summer and celebrate a historical event from a century ago. This one-of-a-kind event brings a colorful story to life along Galveston’s famous seawall...
Dwayne Jones, GHF Executive Director
This exclusive seaport soiree is your first chance to cheer on the 2023 Galveston Island Revue Weekend participants. Featuring a night of vintage style, the 30 bathing beauties will be showing off their vintage and vintage-inspired cocktail attire for the first night of competition. Enjoy live music by Dandy Wellington and His Band, access onboard the Official Tall Ship of Galveston, the 1877 ELISSA, specialty drinks, and more!
Welcome to the Queen City Cabaret, a hot Jazz induced evening of vintage frivolity and scintillating burlesque, where the unexpected is always on the menu. Held in the newly restored 1920 City National Bank Building, this special event welcomes some of the nation’s best performers for a night to remember!
Tickets! Get your tickets here! This year’s Galveston Island Revue Weekend features everything from the world-famous bathing beauties, to exclusive VIP experiences. Spaces are limited, so get yours today.
Enjoy a full weekend of premium access to multiple Revue Weekend events! Holders of these limited VIP tickets gain access to special events, VIP areas, and more all weekend long. Available in two levels (details below), enjoy the perks of the pass and make the most of your entire Revue Weekend.
1. Juke Joint Weekender Pass ($200)
2. Toe Tapper Weekender Pass ($100)
