Galveston to Bring in Fall Season with Outdoor Festivals, Historic Ghost Tours
GALVESTON, Texas (June 26, 2025) – The fall season brings what many consider the best weather of the year to Galveston Island, and with great weather comes outdoor events and festivals! Island visitors can enjoy festivities on the beach and in historic downtown. Mark your calendars for these must-do events.
Head to www.visitgalveston.com/events for more information about all the fall fun!
Galveston Sandcastle Festival
Date: Sept. 13-14
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: East Beach, 1923 Boddeker Dr., Galveston, TX
Admission: $10 (there is a charge to park at East Beach)
Description: Houston area architects, designers, engineers, and contractors will take their tools to Galveston’s East Beach for what is considered one of the world’s largest amateur sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) sponsors this annual contest in which the public is invited to watch more than 80 teams compete for the best sandcastle design.
Galveston Pirate Festival
Date: Sept. 19-21
Time: Times vary
Where: Sept. 19, Historic Downtown Galveston; Sept. 20, Seawolf Park; Sept. 21 Tours throughout the island
Admission: Tickets start at $25
Description: Galveston Island is set to embark on a new chapter of its rich maritime heritage with the launch of the Galveston Pirate Festival. The inaugural event promises to transform the island into a haven for pirate enthusiasts and families alike. The weekend will feature live entertainment, historical reenactments, treasure hunts, pirate history tours, a costume contest and more.
Galveston Island Shrimp Festival
Date: Sept. 26-27
Time: Varies
Where: Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand St., Galveston, TX
Admission: Prices vary
Description: Galveston Island is a seafood lover’s paradise all year round, but this September Yaga’s Entertainment Inc. will bring foodies a little taste of heaven at the Galveston Island Shrimp Festival to be held September 26-27. The event kicks off Friday evening with a party and live music. Saturday features a Shrimp Scamper 5K Fun Run, Ron Hoover boat show, Strand merchant walkabout, Gumbo Stroll and more.
“Ghostly Galveston” Festivities
Date: October 2025
Time: Varies
Where: Locations vary
Admission: Prices vary
Description: The place of the deadliest storm in U.S. history, Galveston Island is a popular destination for “haunted” exploration. From a 114-year-old “haunted” hotel to Galveston’s storied harbor, cemeteries and Victorian mansions, there are numerous ghost tours to be explored throughout October. Both the historic Grand Galvez and the Galveston Historical Foundation offer haunted history tours throughout the month.
ARToberFEST
Date: Oct. 18-19
Time: Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Postoffice Street, Galveston, TX
Admission: $5
Description: If you love art, then you don’t want to miss the annual ARToberFEST. This juried fine art festival will feature various artists, food and live music on Postoffice street amid Galveston’s Victorian architecture, art galleries and shops. Admission is $5 for adults with proceeds benefitting The Grand’s education and community outreach programs.
Island Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 24-25
Time: Varies
Where: First Lutheran Church, 2415 Winnie St., Galveston, TX
Admission: Free
Description: Island Oktoberfest will “oompah” back to Galveston celebrating German heritage with a full weekend of food, drinks, live performances, games and special activities. The festival will take place at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Galveston and will feature an expanded entertainment lineup. Admission to Oktoberfest is free and attendees are encouraged to dress in traditional German costumes.
Lone Star Motorcycle Rally
Date: Nov. 6-9
Time: Varies
Where: Locations vary
Admission: Free
Description: This November, visitors to Galveston have a chance to experience the largest four-day biker rally in the country as the Lone Star Motorcycle Rally makes its way to the island. More than 500,000 motorcyclists will gather among hundreds of vendors in a celebration of the finest machines known to man. The rally will include several bike shows, live concerts and a variety of celebrity appearances.
About Galveston Island
Galveston Island, Texas is a resilient historic beach town located 50 miles south of Houston. The birthplace of Juneteenth and home to the second largest immigration port into the U.S. in the 1880s, today Galveston Island is a major tourism destination for Texas and beyond. Galveston offers miles of beaches, top-tier museums, family attractions, plus special events and festivals. Galveston’s port is the fourth busiest for cruise passengers in North America and the island eagerly welcomes more than eight million visitors each year. To plan your Galveston Island experience, go to www.visitgalveston.com.
Media Assets:
Images and B-Roll can be found at www.visitgalveston.com/media.
Media Contact
Mary Beth Bassett
Sr. Public Relations Manager
Visit Galveston
Office: 409-797-5152
Email: mbassett@visitgalveston.com
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