Spooky Special Events, Ghost Tours Mark Galveston Island’s Haunted History
GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas (Oct. 14, 2025) – The season for thrills and chills is quickly approaching and Galveston Island’s ghostly history makes it one of the top destinations in the country for “haunted” travel. This year, visitors can experience a robust selection of haunted events, plus ghost and cemetery tours throughout the island.
Black Lagoon Pop Up at Daiquiri Time Out
New this spooky season is the Black Lagoon Pop Up taking place at Galveston’s Daiquiri Time Out (DTO), 2701 Market St. Oct. 8-Nov.2. It is billed as a creepy-as-hell cocktail experience that pays homage to the macabre. Patrons are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes or are welcome to come as they are. DTO is one of 40 Black Lagoon Pop Up locations in the U.S. The female-owned enterprise began in Toronto, Canada in 2021 and has been expanding ever since. Learn more at www.dtogalveston.com.
Ghost Coast Festival
The Ghost Coast Festival will take place Oct. 17-19. The event kicks off with a pub crawl on Friday in Galveston’s historic Strand district. On Saturday the family friendly event moves to the League Kempner House, a historic mansion designed by noted architect Nicholas Clayton, for a day filled with panels, speakers, paranormal investigations and psychic readings. Sunday offers curious festival-goers opportunities to participate in guided ghost tours. Details at www.ghostcoastfestival.com.
Boo Fest
Trick or treating, eating and a parade marks Boo Fest festivities in Galveston. Taking place on Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. at Saengerfest Park in Galveston, various venues in downtown Galveston, the event aims to attract families for a fun fall celebration. Anticipated highlights include a trunk or treat and the Mystic Parade of Boo featuring several of Galveston’s Mardi Gras Krewes. See www.visitgalveston.com for more information.
Dia De Los Muertos Fall Fiesta
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council #151 will host a Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Fall Fiesta Oct. 25 from 1-9 p.m. near the Old County Courthouse at 722 21st Street. This family-friendly event is a celebration of life and death and will feature traditional dishes, plus the creation of altars to remember the dead. For details, visit www.lulac151.org/dia-de-los-muertos.
Haunted Sites and Attractions
Embracing its reported haunting is the island’s 113-year-old Grand Galvez, which has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Stories and on the Discovery Channel’s Ghost Lab for its paranormal significance.
The hotel, offering year-round ghost tours, is said to be haunted by a “Ghost Bride” who reportedly has been seen in room 501 and in the hotel’s west turret. Legend has it that the bride hanged herself in the west turret during the mid-1900s after hearing reports that her fiancé had died at sea. Tragically, her fiancé eventually returned to the hotel looking forward to a marriage that would never be. Visitors can learn more about her and other haunted happenings when they book a tour at the Galvez with Melissa Hall, the “Ghostess of Galveston.” Book a tour at www.grandgalvez.com
Haunted Tours
Galveston Historical Foundation
The Galveston Historical Foundation offers ghost tours throughout October. Many of the island’s historic places have ghost stories attached to them as Galveston has been home to epidemics of disease, war, fires, storms and many merciless pirates, including the infamous Jean Laffite whose lavish and lawless den of thieves was the island’s first European settlement. Galveston visitors can enjoy Haunted Harbor Tours in Galveston Bay and Galveston Ghost Stories in the city’s oldest home, the 1838 Menard House: www.galvestonhistory.org
Ghost Tours of Galveston
Discover the dark side of Galveston on one of these ghost tours. Guests can opt for a Ghost Tour on the Strand, the Great Storm Talk & Tour, Galveston Cemetery Ghost Tour or a Restless Spirits Tour: www.ghosttoursofgalvestonisland.com
Ghost Walks and Cemetery Tours
Author and historian Kathleen Maca takes visitors through Galveston’s streets, historic cemeteries and the railyard introducing them to colorful characters from Galveston’s past including murder victims, movie stars, military men and women and more: www.kathleenmaca.com
Historic Galveston Ghost Tours
Historic Galveston Ghost Tours are led by members of academia and are designed to educate, entertain and scare participants. An added bonus is a tour of Galveston’s fabled Red Light District illuminating the area’s scandalous history: www.historicgalvestonghosttours.com
For a list of Halloween-themed events, go to www.visitgalveston.com.
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 Contact
Mary Beth Bassett
Sr. Public Relations Manager
Visit Galveston
Office: 409-797-5152
Email: mbassett@visitgalveston.com
