Spring offers activities in Galveston
There is always something to do in Galveston, but it is also a great place to do very little such as taking a walk on the beach, sunbathing, or just enjoying a stroll down the historic Strand District window shopping or historical shuttle tours.
This spring Galveston Island’s calendar is full of events, festivals, water sport activities, beach festivals, cook-offs, plays and musicals, historic films, and much more. So if you are considering a getaway with the family, a parents’ weekend to reconnect and recharge, be sure and check out Galveston Island, which is less than an hour from Houston, yet worlds away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. For a complete list of activities, visit www.galveston.com/calendarofevents.
Some of the most popular events though include an array of food, fun in-the-sun, and parties.
» The third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, Mardi Gras Galveston, returns Feb. 21-March 4, with masked balls, balcony parties, parades and concerts, including headlining performances from popular music artists. Be sure to check the website for details, www.mardigrasgalveston.com.
» Saturday, March 1 through Sunday, March 30, college students from around the globe will fill the Island for Spring Break, so mark your calendars now.
» Kicking off the month of April, will be the Grand Kids Festival, hosted by The Grand 1894 Opera House. This festival is designed to introduce children and families to the arts. This year’s festival, April 5, will feature three blocks of activities, entertainment areas, vendor booths, live performances, storytellers, arts and crafts, face painting and more. For details, visit www.thegrand.com.
» As one of the nation’s top locations for birding, Galveston Island will host the 12th annual FeatherFest
birding and nature photography festival April 10-13. FeatherFest is one of the largest birding festivals in Texas, and the only one with a dedicated nature photography track. The event features unique outdoor field trips, workshops and social events for nature enthusiasts of all skill levels. Visit www.galvestonfeatherfest.com.
A Caribbean flair will sweep over Galveston April 11-13 as the sound of steel drums and smell of jerk chicken bring the joys of Jamaica to Texas at the third annual JA-GA Reggae Festival. This free event includes live entertainment, food, vendors and special events, including a jerk chicken cook-off, eating contests and a fashion show. For details, visit www.jamaicafoundationofhouston.org
Historic downtown Galveston will be transformed into a wine lover’s paradise April 24-27 for the fifth annual Galveston Island Food and Wine Festival. The event will feature wines from around the world paired with delicious local food, live entertainment and culinary events where attendees can learn first-rate tips from popular chefs and renowned winemakers. The highlight of the festival — the “Grand Tasting in the Park” — will be held in Saengerfest Park, showcasing more than 150 wines and a variety of food samplings. For more details about events and packages, visit online at www.galveston.com/foo- dandwine.
For the 28th year, Houston area architects, designers, engineers and contractors will take their tools to Galveston’s East Beach May 31 for the AIA Sandcastle Competition, which is considered one of the world’s largest amateur sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects sponsors this annual contest in which the public is invited to watch more than 80 teams compete for the best sandcastle. Visit www.aiasandcastle.com.