Galveston, Texas (Dec. 15, 2023) – The holiday fun continues on Galveston Island – the Winter Wonder Island of Texas. Mark your calendars for these festive events and enjoy some island time as you prepare to welcome the season!
Washed Ashore Art Installation
Back by popular demand are several sculptures from the Washed Ashore Project. Five larger-than-life exhibits will be displayed throughout the island from Dec. 15 through March 31. The beautifully designed, giant sea life sculptures are made entirely of marine debris collected from beaches. Visitors can take self-guided tours to discover these works of art. More information at www.visitgalveston.com/washed-ashore.
Live Holiday Entertainment
A Christmas Wish Holiday Spectacular takes place from Dec. 22 – 30 at Moody Gardens. The Spectacular is a high-energy, vibrant, and heart-warming holiday show featuring live performances of musical theatre style song, dance, stunts, acrobatics, comedic antics, and Christmas magic. www.moodygardens.com
Rides to the North Pole
All aboard! Galveston welcomes The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride to its lineup of holiday attractions. Set to the soundtrack of the motion picture, The Polar Express is theatrically recreated to immerse passengers in the sights, sounds and intrigue of this classic children’s tale while they are whisked away for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Galveston consists of six separate cars pulled by vintage locomotives from the Galveston Railroad Museum’s collection. The attraction is open through Dec. 23. Visit www.galvestonrrmuseum.org.
Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
More than two million pounds of ice has been carved into a colorful world for visitors to Ice Land: Rainforest Holiday. It’s just one of the fun attractions at Moody Gardens Holiday in the Gardens, taking place through Jan. 6. Visitors can stroll through Festival of Lights, a mile-long trail of illuminated holiday displays, music, festive food and more. Other attractions include an Arctic Ice Slide, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D experience, holiday 3D films, train rides, pictures with Santa and a family-friendly New Year’s Palooza. For more information, visit www.moodygardens.com
Miracle Pop Up Bar at Daiquiri Time Out
Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting. With kitschy holiday décor, professionally developed cocktails and the nostalgic energy of the best office party you’ve ever been to, Miracle is sure to get even the grouchiest grinch in the holiday spirit. Galveston’s Daiquiri Time Out (DTO) is one of nine Texas locations to host a Miracle. DTO is an uber-cool bar in downtown Galveston. Miracle will take place through Dec. 28. The establishment serves up imaginative, craft cocktails using fresh-squeezed juice and house-made spirits. While DTO certainly creates a memorable daiquiri, patrons will also enjoy an array of other adult beverages, especially those of the holiday-themed variety. See www.dtogalveston.com for details.
Ring in 2024 in Galveston
Head down to the island for the weekend to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Stay at one of the many hotels or vacation rentals to ring in 2024. Here are a few special events on the island:
- New Year’s Palooza at the Moody Gardens Hotel: This is a family-friendly event featuring live music, acrobatics, comedy and more.
- The newly renovated Grand Galvez will host a party featuring tasty bites, live music from locals’ favorite, The Line Up culminating with a balloon drop and a champagne toast.
- Enjoy delicious food, wine, cocktails and live entertainment at the San Luis Resort’s Supper Club event.
- At the Hotel Lucine, you’ll get a bottle of champagne upon arrival and the option to participate in the Mezcal Speakeasy and a tarot card reading. The next morning, you can join yoga on the rooftop. Enjoy New Year’s Eve dinner at The Fancy or New Year’s Day brunch in The Den.
There are plenty of other island restaurants and night clubs celebrating the occasion. Head to www.visitgalveston.com for more information.
Victorian Charm
With Galveston being home to one of the largest collections of Victorian architecture in the country, it’s not hard for the island to put you in a nostalgic state during the holidays. Many homes in Galveston’s historic neighborhoods are decked out to usher in the holiday season. Two of the island’s grand mansions, the 1892 Bishop’s Palace and the 1895 Moody Mansion, are adorned with elaborately decorated Christmas trees, garlands and festive trimmings. Both are open for daily tours.
For a full list of holiday activities in Galveston and media resources including images and B-Roll, go to www.visitgalveston.com.
About Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a historic beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico just 50 miles from Houston. The island is best known as a vacation destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, a variety of family attractions, Texas’ premier cruise port and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country, including several National Historic Landmarks. Galveston Island is the birthplace of Juneteenth and home to popular amusements such as Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, as well as a variety of museums and recreational activities from surfing to birding. For more information on Galveston Island go to www.visitgalveston.com or call 1-888-GAL-ISLE.
