Galveston Island features over 50 days of Christmas and holiday activities!
Transform your winter holiday into an enchanted coastal getaway where palms twinkle with festive lights and Victorian splendor meets Gulf Coast warmth amidst holiday festivals.
Galveston Island invites you to reimagine the season with celebrations that blend historic grandeur, family traditions, and island spirit.
Here, winter unfolds differently. Trade snow-covered pines for decorated palms, busy city streets for historic brick walkways, and ordinary moments for extraordinary memories. Whether you're seeking sun-kissed adventures or magical holiday experiences, you'll discover a celebration that feels both grand and intimately yours.
Celebrate the season as you uncover surprises across the island and join in our festive scavenger hunt to find holiday spirit and events. You'll win amazing memories and a Nice List certificate plus fun gifts from us.
Nov 8 – Dec 23 The Polar Express
The Galveston Railroad Museum invites you to journey to the North Pole aboard this one-hour magical train ride inspired by the beloved children's book. Enjoy hot cocoa, festive music, and a visit from Santa, making it a memorable experience for the whole family.
Nov 15 – Jan 4 The Grand 1894 Opera House Holiday Season
Celebrate the holidays with a lineup of festive performances at this historic venue. Enjoy classic holiday shows and concerts that capture the spirit of the season in a beautiful setting, such as Straight No Chaser, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and an evening of holiday cheer with Garrison Keillor & Company. Then ring in 2025 with the marvelous Marilyn Maye.
Nov 23 – Jan 1 Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
Experience a winter wonderland at Moody Gardens, featuring stunning light displays, ice skating, and a variety of holiday activities for all ages, including ICE LAND: Pole-to-Pole with towering ice sculptures, an Ice Slide, and Shiver’s Ice Bar. Don’t miss the mile-long Festival of Lights, Ice Skating, the Rudolph 4D experience, 3D holidays films, Breakfast with Santa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Nov – Dec 2024 Holiday Shopping in Galveston’s Historic Downtown District
To find unique gifts and holiday treats, enjoy the charming shops and boutiques in downtown Galveston. From art to antiques, and boutiques to delicious dining, you can find it all. Enjoy special events, outdoor shopping, and festive decorations as you shop local this season.
Nov - Dec Events at Rosenberg Library
Check out the Rosenberg Library for special holiday-themed events, including Countdown to Christmas stories storytimes throughout Nov and Dec, breakfast with Santa on Nov 30, regular craft activities, and an incredible exhibit that chronicles the Great Storm.
Nov 28 – Dec 29 Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Holiday Festivities
Experience holiday cheer at the Pleasure Pier while taking in beautiful views of Galveston Bay. Open both Thanksgiving and Christmas days, look for special promotions such as Thanksgiving Weekend Adventure Pass and the Polar Pass.
Nov 30 Galveston's Official Tree Lighting in Downtown and ArtWalk
Kick off the holiday season with the official tree lighting ceremony in Downtown Galveston. Join Santa and enjoy a golf cart parade, live music, late night shopping at ArtWalk, and the twinkling lights on 86 buildings downtown.
Nov 8 – Dec 23 The Polar Express
The Galveston Railroad Museum invites you to journey to the North Pole aboard this one-hour magical train ride inspired by the beloved children's book. Enjoy hot cocoa, festive music, and a visit from Santa, making it a memorable experience for the whole family.
Nov 15 – Jan 4 The Grand 1894 Opera House Holiday Season
Celebrate the holidays with a lineup of festive performances at this historic venue. Enjoy classic holiday shows and concerts that capture the spirit of the season in a beautiful setting, such as Straight No Chaser, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and an evening of holiday cheer with Garrison Keillor & Company. Then ring in 2025 with the marvelous Marilyn Maye.
Nov 23 – Jan 1 Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
Experience a winter wonderland at Moody Gardens, featuring stunning light displays, ice skating, and a variety of holiday activities for all ages, including ICE LAND: Pole-to-Pole with towering ice sculptures, an Ice Slide, and Shiver’s Ice Bar. Don’t miss the mile-long Festival of Lights, Ice Skating, the Rudolph 4D experience, 3D holidays films, Breakfast with Santa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Nov – Dec 2024 Holiday Shopping in Galveston’s Historic Downtown District
To find unique gifts and holiday treats, enjoy the charming shops and boutiques in downtown Galveston. From art to antiques, and boutiques to delicious dining, you can find it all. Enjoy special events, outdoor shopping, and festive decorations as you shop local this season.
Nov - Dec Events at Rosenberg Library
Check out the Rosenberg Library for special holiday-themed events, including Countdown to Christmas stories storytimes throughout Nov and Dec, breakfast with Santa on Nov 30, regular craft activities, and an incredible exhibit that chronicles the Great Storm.
Nov 28 – Dec 29 Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Holiday Festivities
Experience holiday cheer at the Pleasure Pier while taking in beautiful views of Galveston Bay. Open both Thanksgiving and Christmas days, look for special promotions such as Thanksgiving Weekend Adventure Pass and the Polar Pass.
Dec 6 East End Historical District's Holiday Homes Tour
Experience the nostalgic charm of Galveston's historic homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. This guided tour provides insight into the architectural heritage of the East End while showcasing festive decorations. Listen to carolers, and you may even see Santa!
Dec 7 – 8 51st Annual Dickens on the Strand
Step back in time at this Victorian-themed festival featuring costumed characters, live entertainment, and holiday shopping. Enjoy a weekend of merriment with parades, food, and festive activities along the Strand.
Dec 8 A Coastal Christmas at the Bryan Museum
Head to The Bryan Museum for a unique twist at this event featuring ‘Coastal Cowboys’ traveling exhibit, photos with Santa, petting zoo, food trucks, local artisans, holiday treats, and live music. Enjoy the museum's beautiful decorations and learn about Galveston's rich history in a festive atmosphere.
Dec 14 – 15 Holiday with the Cranes
The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council invites you to join this special event to witness the beauty of 4-foot-tall sandhill cranes migrating through the area. Enjoy guided tours and educational activities that highlight the importance of wildlife during the winter months.
Dec 22 Santa Hustle Half Marathon
Get into the holiday spirit while running with thousands of Santas in this festive half marathon. Dress up in your best holiday attire and enjoy a fun race along the beautiful Galveston coastline, complete with holiday-themed medals and festivities.
ALL ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Step into a storybook adventure aboard Galveston's newest holiday tradition! Making its triumphant return after a magical debut in 2023, this theatrical journey brings the beloved motion picture to life. For one enchanted hour, passengers are immersed in the sights, sounds, and wonders of this classic tale. Clutch your golden ticket as you're whisked away through a world of imagination to meet Santa himself. Perfect for creating cherished family memories!
NEW SCAVENGER HUNT FESTIVE TRADITION Round up your friends and family, and get ready to uncover the joy of the season. Grab our guide to holiday happenings, which includes the checklist for this adventure and a postcard with warm wishes from Winter Wonder Island. Earn an official spot on the Nice List plus fun souvenir gifts just for participating!
PACK YOUR MITTENS AND PREPARE TO DISCOVER AN ALL-NEW ICE LAND When Moody Gardens transforms into Holiday in the Gardens, families throughout the region are offered a diverse range of attractions and visiting it has become a popular family tradition. Experience the brand-new ICE LAND: Pole-to-Pole with towering ice sculptures, an Ice Slide, and Shiver’s Ice Bar. Stroll through the mile-long Festival of Lights, Ice Skating, the Rudolph 4D experience, 3D holidays films, Breakfast with Santa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations at Moody Gardens' annual Holiday in The Gardens festivities right here in Galveston, TX.
ALL THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON IN ONE NIGHT Santa will be a special guest at downtown Galveston’s tree lighting ceremony. Galveston’s police and fire departments will provide a special escort for the man in red. The tree lighting coincides with Galveston Art Center’s ArtWalk, a community-wide event that takes place every six to eight weeks. During ArtWalk, shops, boutiques and galleries remain open later into the evening and feature live entertainment at several venues throughout the downtown district.
DICKENS ON THE STRAND: SEASONAL VICTORIAN SPLENDOR Step back in time to a world where Victorian elegance meets island charm. For over half a century, this beloved festival has transformed our historic downtown into Charles Dickens' London, complete with costumed performers, authentic entertainment, and holiday wonder around every corner. Don your Victorian finest (and enjoy special ticket pricing!) as you become part of this living celebration that has captivated generations of visitors. When gas lamps flicker to life and carolers fill the streets with song, you'll discover why this tradition has enchanted hearts for 51 magical years.
THE MAJESTIC 4-FOOT TALL SANDHILL CRANES ARE COMING Celebrate the arrival of these 3-4 foot tall, red-capped visitors, as we invite you to join Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council in what’s been dubbed by the New York Times as “one of the quirkiest events in Texas” – Holiday with the Cranes!
IT'S MORE THAN A RUN If you’re a runner or just like to dress up, you’ll get a kick out of the Santa Hustle, one of Galveston’s wackiest events. More than 5,000 half-marathon and 5K runners are expected to convene in Galveston for this jolly race where participants are provided Santa attire – including a Santa suit shirt, Santa hat and beard – to wear along their journey. The route is lined with speakers playing holiday tunes and fuel-up stations serving cookies and candy. Yum!
With balmy temperatures that usually hit 68°F (20°C) in December, you can pack your bucket and spade and head to the beach, or stroll along the famous Pleasure Pier. Although some days might feel too chilly to swim or partake in Galveston water sports, you’ll still have a chance to unwind, read a book to the sound of the sea, make sandcastles and top up your vitamin D.
