Ice, lights, colorful events bring joy to the island
Galveston has much to offer visitors at all times of the year. Along with its miles of beaches, there are also many special events, holiday celebrations, and activities guaranteed to amuse and entertain.
NOV. 15
Salt + Sky: Rachel Wiley-Janota: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rene´ Wiley Gallery presentS Rachel Wiley-Janota’s seventh solo exhibition. Rene Wiley Gallery, 2128 Postoffice St. www.renewileygallery.com, 409-750-9077.
Jazz at Galvez: Jazz duo Reg and Cary perform on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-10 p.m. See website for other scheduled times. Galvez Bar & Grill, 2024 Seawall Blvd. www.hotelgalvez.com, 409-765-7721.
Live Music: Clay Howell on the Piano. 6 p.m. to midnight. Don’t miss live music at the 23rd Street Station Piano Bar, featuring a live music lounge. See website for other performances and times. 1706 23rd St. www.23rdstreetstation.com, 409-443-5678.
Tremont Jazz Series: Every Friday and Saturday, 6-10 p.m., enjoy live jazz by Trio du Jour. See website for other scheduled times. The Tremont House, 2300 Mechanic St. www.thetremonthouse.com, 409-763-0300.
Ghost Bus Tours. 7-8 p.m. Ride and hear first-hand ghost stories and paranormal experiences. Galveston Experience Company, 1522 Seawall Blvd. www.galvestonexperience.com, 409-7413400. Island ETC Presents: A Tuna Christmas. 8 p.m. This is the hilarious sequel to Greater
Tuna. Tickets: Adults $30, students and seniors $25. See website for more details. Island ETC, 2317 Mechanic St. www.islandetc.org, 409-762-3556
NOV. 15-DEC. 20
Polar Express Train Ride: Galveston Railroad Museum will offer a 60-minute roundtrip journey to the North Pole onboard the Polar Express Train Ride. More information available at website. Galveston Railroad Museum, 2602 Santa Fe Place www.galvestonrrmuseum.org, 409-765-5700.
Gingerbread Polar Express. The Tremont House hotel is creating a special “Polar Express” themed gingerbread house in honor of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Galveston Railroad Museum. The Tremont House, 2300 Mechanic St. www.thetremonthouse.com, 409-763-0300.
NOV. 16
Holiday in the Gardens. See Moody Gardens transform into the coolest holiday destination in the Southwest. See ticket information at the website. Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd. www.moodygardens.com, 409-7444673.
Youth Sailing Saturdays. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children are taught by our highly skilled staff at a world class sailing facility. Cost is $25. See website for other times and more information. Sea Star Base Galveston, 7509 Broadway St. www.ssbgalveston.org, 409-572-2560.
Galveston Island Market. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free open-air market specializing in local arts and crafts, and more. 2300 Mechanic St. galvestonislandmarket@gmail.com, www.galvestonislandmarket.com
Once. 8 p.m. Winner of eight 2012 Tony awards, including Best Musical, Once is a truly original Broadway experience. The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.galvestonsymphony.org. 800-821-1894.
Saturday Stories. 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a story handpicked and read by a member of the Children’s Department. See website for other scheduled activities and times. Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave. www.rosenberg-library.org, 409-763-8854.
Adaptive Sailing Saturdays. 2-4 p.m. Their adaptive sailing team works to train disabled athletes from TIRR to be able to sail for pleasure. See website for other scheduled times. Sea Star Base Galveston, 7509 Broadway. www.ssbgalveston.org, 409-572-2560.
NOV. 17
Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market. 9 a.m. to noon. Galveston’s Own Farmers Market brings locally grown produce, prepared foods, and edible farm products to residents of Galveston and the surrounding areas. The Bryan Museum, 1315 21st St. www.galvestonsownfarmersmarket.com, 409-632-7685. Artist Boat Kayak Adventure: East End Lagoon. 10 a.m. to noon East End Lagoon. An easy paddle in natural wetlands, the East End Lagoon offers an up-close view of the entry to the second largest port in the United States. Book online at kayak.destinationnext.com, 409-770-0722.
Bay Explorations. 10-11:15 a.m. Join one of the weekly explorations of the connections between the mainland and our island paradise. Free except $5 entry fee for those 13 years and older. Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM 3005. Lisa.Reznicek@tpwd.texas.gov, tpwd.texas.gov. Holiday in the Gardens - Festival of Lights: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Festival of Lights returns, bringing families together on Galveston Island for lifelong memories and festive enjoyment for all ages. Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd. www.moodygardens.com, 409-7444673. Holiday in the Gardens - Ice Land: Christmas Around the World. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The world’s most famous landmarks will become cooler than ever as Moody Gardens introduces Ice Land: Christmas Around the World. Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd. www.moodygardens.com, 409-744-4673.
NOV. 22
Seaside Treasure Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get your holiday shopping done in one stop and enjoy the live music while drinking
gourmet coffee. Moody Methodist Church, 2803 53rd St. www.moody.org, 409-7444526. Vienna Boys Choir — Christmas in Vienna: 8 p.m. The illustrious group of child musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. www.thegrand.com, 800-821-1894.
NOV. 23
Jaston Williams’ Blood & Holly — A West
Texas Family Christmas: 8 p.m. In this latest hysterical offering from Jaston Williams, “Blood” in the title refers to his family bloodline. The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.thegrand.com, 800-821-1894.
NOV. 25
Wild Things Zoofari Petting Zoo: 3-5 p.m. Visit with domesticated animals and some exotic species docile enough to touch and feed. Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave. www.rosenberg-library.org, 409-763-8854.
NOV. 28
Thanksgiving Brunch at Hotel Galvez: This holiday brunch is the biggest of the year, featuring all of the traditional Thanksgiving entrees. Reservations are required. Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd.
NOV. 29
Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration
at Hotel Galvez: 6-7:30 p.m. Hotel Galvez & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Hotel is hosting its Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration. The Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd. www.hotelgalvez.com, 409-515-2145.
NOV. 30
Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run: 9-11 a.m. Get active this Thanksgiving weekend with the Resource & Crisis Center of Galveston County’s (RCC) first Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run. Cost is $50. This fee supports the services that RCC provides. More information at website. 45th and Seawall, Fort Crockett Park, 4604 Seawall Blvd. www.rccgc.org, 409-763-1441.
DEC. 6
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: 8 p.m. Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption has enchanted audiences around the world since it was first published in 1843. The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.thegrand.com, 800-821-1894.
DEC. 6-8
Dickens on the Strand: The annual holiday street festival based on 19th-century Victorian London, featuring parades, non-stop entertainment, strolling carolers, and more, at downtown locations. www.galveston.com, 409-765-7834.
DEC. 7
Trinity Episcopal Church Pipe Organ Extravaganza: 7:30 p.m. Galveston’s Trinity Episcopal Church presents their annual Pipe Organ Extravaganza. Trinity Episcopal Church, 22nd and Winnie Streets. https://trinitygalv.org, 800-821-1894.
DEC. 14
Family Day at the Ocean Star: An Offshore Holiday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ocean Star Family Days promote family learning and quality time at a reduced cost. Ocean Star, 1900 Harborside Drive. www.oceanstaroec.com, 409-765-7721. The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea Presented by the Grand 1894 Opera House: 12:30 p.m. The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea is an annual tradition at The Grand. The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.thegrand.com, 800-8211894. The Nutcracker Presented by City Ballet of Houston: 2 p.m. This holiday favorite will delight audiences of all ages. The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.thegrand.com.
DEC. 14-DEC. 15
Holiday with the Cranes: Holiday with the Cranes provides opportunities for Gulf Coast winter birding. Various locations — Galveston. www.galvestonnaturetourism.org, 409-7898125.
DEC. 15
Santa Hustle Half Marathon and 5K: 7-11 a.m. Run with thousands of Santas through the streets of Galveston and along the Gulf waters. Cost is $80. Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd. www.santahustle.com, 847-829-4536.
DEC. 20
Cirque Joyeux Dinner and Show: 6:308:30 p.m. Take a magical journey from There to Here in the company of musical and stage royal couple, the award-winning Texas thespians Linda Leonard and Bill Jenkins. Moody Gardens Convention Center, 7 Hope Blvd. www.moodygardenshotel.com, 409-7418484.
DEC. 21
The 5 Browns — Holiday: 8 p.m. Performing individually or together in various combinations from duo to complex five-piano arrangements they deliver on their dream of waking up classical music. The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.thegrand.com, 800-821-1894.
DEC. 25
Christmas Day Brunch at Hotel Galvez: Hotel Galvez is widely known for its Sunday brunch, and the Christmas Day brunch is bigger than ever and more popular. Advance reservations are required. Galvez Bar & Grill, 2024 Seawall Blvd. www.hotelgalvez.com, 409-515-2028.
DEC. 28
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The
Musical: 1 p.m. Following five successful years of touring and more than 500 performances, the “most famous reindeer of all” will fly into The Grand. Purchase tickets at tickets.thegrand.com. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. 800-821-1894, www.thegrand.com.
DEC. 31
New Year’s Eve Dinner and Special Jazz
Night: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a romantic four-course dinner at Galvez Bar & Grill followed by live jazz with Reg and Cary. Advance reservations are suggested. The Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd. 409-515-2145, www.hotelgalvez.com.
JAN. 5
Happy New Year, Vienna Style! 4 p.m. The Galveston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Trond Saeverud, performs quality classical music. The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.galvestonsymphony.org, 800-821-1894.
JAN. 11
The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston starring Belinda Davids: 8 p.m. Whitney’s musical legacy is brought to life in this critically acclaimed tribute show described as “Mind blowingly spot on.” The Grand Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. 800-821-1894, www.thegrand.com.
JAN. 18
The Oak Ridge Boys: 7:30 p.m. The Oak Ridge Boys return to The Grand for their annual concerts featuring four-part harmony. The Grand Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. 800-821-1894, www.thegrand.com.
JAN. 25 - FEB. 9
2020 Galveston Restaurant Week: Home of the finest Gulf Coast seafood and some of Texas’s most delectable restaurants, Galveston Island proudly welcomes visitors to Galveston Restaurant Week. See website for more details. Various locations. www.galvestonrestaurantweek.com.
FEB. 1
Finding Neverland: 8 p.m. A heartwarming theatrical event full of beautiful music that tells the incredible story behind Peter Pan. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. www.thegrand.com, 800-821-1894.
FEB. 9
Galveston Symphony Orchestra: Trond
Plays Paganini: 4 p.m. This very special classical masterworks concert program includes Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 featuring GSO Conductor Trond Saeverud, violin; and Howard Hanson’s “Symphony No. 2 “Romantic.” The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St. www.galvestonsymphony.org, 800-821-1894.
FEB. 14-25
Mardi Gras! Galveston: If you are looking for a unique Mardi Gras experience in 2020, grab some beads and hit the beach. www.mardigrasgalveston.com.