8 Popular Festivals In Galveston, Texas

festivals in galveston
Louise
Louise 
Updated
| 4 min read

Nestled on Texas’ Gulf Coast, Galveston is a charming island city that is known for its remarkable attractions, which include the enchanting Moody Garden, the vibrant Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, and the majestic 1892 Bishop’s Palace. For families visiting this beautiful city, the fun-filled Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston and Galveston Island State Park are a must-visit places. Tourists who are into local history and artwork, be sure to swing by The Bryan Museum, Galveston Historic Seaport, and Galveston Railroad Museum, for an unforgettable experience. Are you a social butterfly who likes attending exciting festivals? Here is a list of the most popular festivals in Galveston, Texas. Browse below.

1. Galveston Cajun Festival [Last event n 2018]

Crawfish Boil
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Giovanni Handal used under CC BY-SA 3.0

For tourists who are planning to visit Galveston in July, you might be lucky to attend the Galveston Cajun Festival. It is an annual event that often happens during the Father’s day weekend. It is a three-day event full of fun-filled family-friendly activities. Its goal is to help the city’s economic progress while providing the community days of bliss and excitement. There are games with prizes, exciting activities, live blue music, cookouts, and overflowing booze for the adults. Be ready to gorge on the delicious and famous Texan barbecue, spicy boiled crawfish, and lots of Louisiana-inspired eats.

Galveston Cajun Festival

Address: Galveston, Texas

Website: Galveston Cajun Festival

Takes place: July

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2. Galveston Greek Festival

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Come to Galveston in October and be able to witness the vibrant Galveston Greek Festival. From the name itself you can tell that participants will be immersed in the colorful Greek culture. Lots of delicious fares, such as tzatziki, melitzanosalata, taramasalata, fava, and other Greek specialties await those who wish to participate. Plus, live music, traditional dances, film viewing activities, and trade fairs that showcase artisan products are present in the celebration. This fantastic event takes place at The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church yearly, and it’s been a part of Galveston culture for almost 40 years now.

Galveston Greek Festival

Address: 714 19th Street in Galveston, Texas

Website: Galveston Greek Festival

Takes place: October

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3. Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival [Last event in 2019]

Food and wine
Source: Pixabay

Are you a foodie and a social butterfly? You will surely be thrilled to participate in the vibrant Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival. This event takes place every year in the month of April. Guests will be taken on an unforgettable culinary adventure that is participated by more than 10 successful Galveston restaurants, more than 70 vineyards, and numerous vendors who are selling their masterpieces. Expect premium tasting events, a wine competition, a sweepstake with exciting prizes, a 5k-marathon, and a Sunday brunch on the last day of the festival.

Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival

Address: Galveston, Texas

Website: Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival

Takes place: April

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4. Seaside Treasure Festival

Otavalo Artisan Market - Andes Mountains - South America - photograph 007
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user David Adam Kess used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Make the most of your upcoming Galveston vacation in November by adding the Seaside Treasure Festival to your holiday itinerary. This annual event is a three-day celebration that’s been recurring for almost 20 years now. Approximately, a hundred local and international vendors participate in the trade fair prepared by the management. The Seaside Cafe prepares a scrumptious lunch for participants of the Seaside Treasure Festival. Also, a silent auction takes place on one of those festival days.

Seaside Treasure Festival

Address: Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, 53rd and Avenue U

Takes place: November

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5. Galveston Island Shrimp Festival

Shrimp dish
Source: Pixabay

Are you a big seafood lover since birth or are you someone who has developed an acquired taste for it? No matter how huge your love for seafood is, you are welcome to join Galveston Island Shrimp Festival that happens annually in September every year. This exciting shrimp-centric culinary celebration prepares unique activities that participants will surely love. Expect a neck-to-neck shrimp gumbo cook-off and a trade fair with a multitude of vendors offering diverse products, from art pieces to gastronomic delights. Join a 5k-marathon and win a prize! Also, be sure to catch the colorful parade and have fun with the festival’s mini-concerts while downing some beers.

Galveston Island Shrimp Festival

Address: Galveston, Texas, United States

Website: Galveston Island Shrimp Festival

Takes place: September

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6. BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival [Last event in 2019]

Two-pints-beer-main
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user U3144362 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival happens annually, every Labor Day weekend. This celebration features various brewers in and out of Galveston. One of the much-awaited activities at the festival is the TasteItFirst event, in which new brews are introduced. Educational lectures and seminars regarding the art of brewing take place at BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival. More than 50 businesses join this festival. Sapporo, Shiner, Klaus Brewing Company, Infamous Brewing, Heineken, Dos Equis, Cigar City Brewing, and Ace, to name a few. More so, food stalls and live music are also part of the festival.

BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival

Address: Galveston, Texas

Website: BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival

Takes place: August/ September

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7. Galveston Water Lantern Festival [Last event in 2019]

Hawaii Lantern Floating Ceremony 2016 (27094305930)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Anthony Quintano used under CC BY 2.0

Galveston Water Lantern Festival is an enchanting event that takes place in the beautiful island city of Galveston. This family-friendly celebration claims that it is not only a casual annual event, but it is a whole experience that participants will remember for the rest of their lives. It is a pause to life’s fast-moving pace. Write your wishes on an eco-friendly lantern, light it up, and watch it float through the air with the most important people in your life. Through this event, families and friends are brought closer to one another. Also, this event is environment-friendly, and the management assures the cleanliness of the venue by deploying teams to clean up and make sure everything is right where they were at the beginning of the program.

Galveston Water Lantern Festival

Address: Galveston, Texas

Website: Galveston Water Lantern Festival

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8. Reggae Fest [Event has passed]

Reggae stage in the woods
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Adma Cortez used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Unleash your inner social butterfly and come to Galveston in May for the Reggae Fest. Locals and tourists alike are welcome to experience the euphoric celebration of the music genre that originated from Jamaica. Numerous Reggae superstars are invited to provide fantastic music that guests will surely dance their hearts out. Local musicians are also featured in the event to introduce fresh talents. Food vendors and local brews are also present at the event, so participants will be energized throughout the Reggae Fest. This event takes place at Beach Central.

Reggae Fest

Address: Beach Central, 2102 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Texas

Website: Reggae Fest

Takes place: May

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Fall in love with Galveston's vibrant festivals

Galveston is a captivating island city in Texas, with breathtaking gardens, gorgeous beaches, fascinating museums, and vibrant nightlife. It also has interesting traditions and lively culture, and the number of festivals the city holds annually is a testament to that. Experience a memorable holiday in Galveston and attend a fun-filled festival in the city for an unforgettable vacation experience.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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She is a lover of life and a very optimistic person. She thinks of herself as a vessel of a billion possibilities, which can harness limitless potential. Trying new experiences, going places she's...Read more

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