Holiday magic comes alive in Galveston
Nov. 15-18
Taste of The Strand and & Mystery Tour: 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Take a walking and tasting tour of the historic Strand District. Texas’ largest guided restaurant walking food and mystery tour, Taste of the Strand is a three-hour walking and guided food and mystery tour through Galveston’s famed downtown. Departs from 2028 Strand at the corner of 21st and Hendley Green. Cost is adults: $89.95; kids: $45. Two-person minimum to book. 409-599-5425 and www.tasteofthestrand.com.
Nov. 23
Home for the Holidays Gift Market: Shopping event, 150 vendors, noon-8 p.m. at Moody Gardens at One Hope Blvd. Admission: $5, free parking. For information, contact HomeForTheHolidaysGiftMarket@yahoo.com.
Nov. 30-Dec. 2
Dickens on The Strand. The annual holiday street festival in downtown, based on 19thcentury Victorian London, features parades, non-stop entertainment on five stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers, and a host of other entertainers. www.dickensonthestrand.org.
Nov. 17-Jan. 6
Ice Land Pole-to-Pole at Moody Gardens. A skilled team of master ice carvers has taken 2 million pounds of ice to create your festive journey from the North to South Pole. Glide down the giant glacier slide and enjoy a festive drink inside an igloo at Shiver’s Ice Bar. Admission: adults $26.95, adult value days $21.95, child/senior $21.95, child/senior value days $16.95. Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston. www.moodygardens.com.
Nov. 17-Jan. 6
Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens. Brighten up the holidays with a tradition for families and groups alike. A milelong trail with more than one million lights and lighted scenes take you around the Moody Gardens property with spectacular views Galveston Bay. Enjoy the area’s only outdoor skating rink, concession areas with hot chocolate and festive food, holiday buffets, live entertainment and more. Admission: adult $20.95, adult value days $15.95, child/senior $18.95, child/senior value days $13.95. Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston. www.moodygardens.com.
Nov. 24
Hotel Galvez is hosting the 10th annual Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration at 6 p.m. featuring performances from The Nutcracker, area choirs and the Galveston Community Band. The Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration is an annual, free family event and marks the start of the official holiday season in Galveston. Hotel Galvez is located at 2024 Seawall Blvd. www.galveston.com/blog/700/hotel-galvez-holiday-lighting-celebration.
Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22
Cheer on the Pier. Spend your Saturdays at the Pleasure Pier with Santa. Families can watch holiday movies, enjoy kids activities and rides. Activities at Santa’s Workshop are from noon-4 p.m. and include photos with Santa, letters to Santa and cookie decorating. Holiday movies are from 7-9 p.m. www.pleasurepier.com/features/cheer-on-the-pier/.
Dec. 2, 9, 19, 23
Sunday Brunch with Santa at Hotel Galvez. Children will have the opportunity to personally speak with Kris Kringle and share their Christmas wishes as their families enjoy a grand dining experience. The hotel’s annual holiday gingerbread display is in place for guests to view while listening to traditional holiday favorites being played on the lobby piano. Advance reservations are recommended. For reservations, book via Open Table or call (409) 765-7721. For Christmas Eve, book directly with the hotel. Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd. Details at www.hotelgalvez.com/holiday-specials.aspx.
Dec. 15
The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea. 12:30 p.m. at The Grand. Treat your favorite little girl or boy to the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea. This delightful event features tea-time fare of finger sandwiches, cookies, punch and of course, tea. Get your photo with the Nutcracker dancers. A perfect complement to a performance of The Nutcracker ballet. Make this your new family holiday tradition. Adults: $30, child: $25. The Grand 1894 Opera House , 2020 Post Office St. www.tickets.thegrand.com.
Dec. 22
Breakfast with Santa. 10:30 a.m. at the Rosenberg Library. Visit with Santa, enjoy refreshments, listen to festive stories and receive a special treat. Don’t forget your camera. Choose one session (either Nov. 24 or Dec. 22). Space is limited; registration required, admission is free. Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy St. www.rosenberg-library.org or howens@rosenberg-library.org.
Dec. 23
A Charlie Brown Christmas-Live On Stage at The Grand. This brand-new touring production by Charles M. Schulz features everyone’s favorite Peanuts gang — Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, Sally, and more, all led by the lovable Charlie Brown — as they discover the true meaning of Christmas.The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Post Office. www.tickets.thegrand.com.
Jan. 26-Feb. 10
Galveston Restaurant Weeks. The eighth annual Galveston.com & Company Galveston Restaurant Week, Saturday, Jan. 26, through Feb. 10, brings the Island’s culinary scene to life for two full weeks of delicious dining. The event will showcase the freshest ingredients, most flavorful dishes and tastiest culinary gems that Galveston has to offer. At various restaurants. www.GalvestonRestaurantWeek.com.
Feb. 22-March 5
Mardi Gras! Galveston. The third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, offers the unique chance to experience sand between your toes and gorgeous beach sunsets while taking in the revelry and lavish parades known to dominate Galveston Island during carnival season. www.mardigrasgalveston.com.