Posted on 6/20/2024

Can't Miss Annual Festivals in Galveston


Galveston Island is known for its beachy vibes, incredible seafood, gumbo and one of the most happening Mardi Gras celebrations, rivaling the main event in New Orleans. But this little island offers something to everyone: family-friendly events, rocking nightlife, outdoor adventures, and cultural activities.

What is the best way to experience Galveston’s culture, people, and history in one go? Just attend one of its many annual festivals!

Here at Sand ‘N Sea, we offer diverse and comfortable vacation rentals for families, couples, and large groups alike - perfect for serving as home base during your festival trip! With decades of local experience in the Galveston area, we want to share our roundup of our favorite events from January to December.


1. Yaga’s Chili and Beer Fest

What’s more comforting than a warm cup of mom’s chili? Well, perhaps another mom’s chili might take the cake. You’ll have to attend the 16th annual Yaga’s Chili and Beer Fest to find out. Here, you’ll witness a decade-plus long tradition of contests for various types of chili, including regular or spicy chili and even the Tres Generaciones Margarita contest.

Apart from the chili, there’s something for everyone at this annual festival. Your enthusiastic jogger traveler can join the event’s annual 5k run. Or, you could take the kids and play some carnival games before sitting back and enjoying a cold one at the simultaneous beer fest!


2. Galveston Museum Weekend

Photo Credit: Moody Mansion

So, you’re a history buff or looking to inject a little culture into your getaway. Our advice? Visit during Galveston Museum Weekend — an annual tradition where participating museums slash prices to make attendance more accessible and convenient.

For your reference, here are some museums that participated in the last Galveston Museum Weekend:


3. Mardi Gras

In downtown Galveston, this is the festival of festivals. Mardi Gras, which translates to “Fat Tuesday” in French, was the day Christians broke their 40-night fast and indulged primarily in pancakes.

In Galveston, Mardi Gras continues the tradition of indulgence with street parades, foot-long cocktail bottles, and endless beads thrown off buildings for you to catch, sport, and share.

The best part? Mardi Gras in Galveston lingers for much longer than just one day. In the weeks surrounding, you’ll notice plenty of decorations and activities in preparation for the main event.


4. FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photography Festival

Spread your wings at this unique and exciting annual festival in Galveston. Spring brings blooming flowers, vibrant colors, and plenty of birds if you’re in Galveston! You’ve probably noticed a few pelicans year-round while you enjoy seafood at Katie’s Seafood House, but the island’s location along a major flyway gives you a chance to catch a glimpse of migrating beauties at this time of year, too.

But Galveston’s magical for birds beyond the seaside pelicans. The island celebrates birds to their fullest with FeatherFest, which will take place for the 23rd year in 2025.

Learn all about birding – it’s like a treasure hunt but with birds. Program organizers show you cool tricks to identify 200+ species of birds migrating from south to north and tell you about some fantastic places where you and your family can go birdwatching.

Here are the highlights:

  • Aviary Art Show: Live painting events with silent auctions, live music, and food vendors.
  • Fledgling Fest: Kid-friendly event introducing guests to different birds via engaging treasure hunts and identification games incorporated into bird watching.
  • Photography Trips: Various planned trips to different areas of Galveston and beyond to take photos of birds like pelicans, great blue herons, snowy egrets, and many more.


5. GHF Historic Homes Tour

The Galveston Historical Foundation has hosted the annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour each Spring, usually in May, for 50 years. These are guided tours of private island homes, some of which date back to the 19th century. For example, the Samuel May and Sarah Williams House from the 2024 tour is part of a Greek Revival architectural style created in 1839 and 1840.


6. Juneteenth Celebrations

America’s Independence Day is July 4th, but many consider Juneteenth in Galveston a second Independence Day. This was monumental because the end of slavery in Texas essentially marked the end of slavery in the entire United States. And you can bet Galveston locals celebrate this important historical event momentously.

Don’t believe us? Just take your pick of events from the bustling calendar. Want to make your trip more educational? Sit in on one of the festival’s many history talks. Have a passion for style? Check out the sneaker showcase night, where patrons wear black-tie apparel with fashionable, outlandish sneakers.


7. AIA Sandcastle Competition

Photo Credit: Visit Galveston

You might remember sandcastles as the simple bucket-and-sand creations you made as a kid on the beach. But when life gives you sand, you elevate your sandcastles — at least in Galveston, you do. That’s why the city hosts an annual sandcastle competition led by the Houston chapter of the American Institute for Architects. And participants take it seriously.

Entire design firms plan and execute meticulous sandcastle models and drawings for months before the actual competition. Usually, the teams will create the sandcastles on Saturday, and the public can walk through them until Sunday. You can also sign up for free sandcastle lessons during that festival, which will surely be a hit with the kids!


8. Dickens on the Strand

Have a gown or top hat sitting in your closet? Bring it to your Winter vacation in Galveston and rock it at the family-friendly Dickens on The Strand! This Victorian street festival is chock-full of historical entertainment, including wandering musicians, jugglers, bagpipes, games, and vendors.

If you want to bring home souvenirs or unique holiday gifts, this is a great place to find some treasures – especially Victorian-inspired handcrafts and clothing.


Other Notable Events in Galveston

These aren’t the only events happening in Galveston! Other honorable mentions go to:


Stay in Galveston and Enjoy Festivals Year Round

Today, people in Galveston celebrate our history and culture through seemingly endless opportunities to gather, connect, and create with each one of the island’s annual festivals.

But once you’re tuckered out from a 5k fun run or a cook-off? You’ll want somewhere comfortable and sleek to rest your head and wake up invigorated.

The good news is that when you stay with Sand ‘N Sea, you have over 190 vacation rentals to choose from. Contemporary designer interiors, ample amenities, and panoramic Gulfviews will make your vacation one to remember.

Book your Galveston vacation today!

Categories:   Area Information , Events , Local Activity Guide , Seasonal + Events
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