Embrace a summer of fun with a slew of events on Galveston Island

Roam around Galveston Island all season long at these summer events taking place from June through September 2019. 

From The Strand to Stewart Beach and everywhere in between, Galveston Island plays host to a slate of summer events that fill your calendar with fun in (and out of) the sun.

Here, we’ve compiled a month-by-month lineup of highlights on the island that stretch into the still-sizzling month of September as the season comes to a close.

Click here to view the full calendar of events taking place on Galveston Island all summer long.

June 2019

• Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market at The Bryan Museum | Thursdays in June – Take part in a community tradition by perusing locally grown produce and prepared foods from farms, ranches, bakeries, cheese-makers, and other producers in the region. 3pm to 6pm.
• Sandcastle Building Lessons at Stewart Beach | Saturdays in June | FREE – Sculpt your beachside masterpiece using tips from professional sandcastle builders during free lessons. Watch these skilled artists craft sand sculptures beginning at 8am with lessons following at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.
• ESPN 97.5 & Sports Map 94.1FM Sunfest at East Beach | Saturday, June 15 – Hosted by the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association, Sunfest whittles a field of sand volleyball teams down to finalists with prizes on the line for multiple skill levels, including age groups for teenagers. Check-in begins at 8:30am with matches starting at 9am.
• Galveston Island Market in The Strand District | Saturday, June 15 – Stroll through The Strand District along 23rd and Mechanic Streets to find a bustling market of local artisan wares, from unique quilts and scented soaps to art and handcrafted jewelry. 10am to 4pm.

Click here to view the full calendar of events taking place on Galveston Island in June and beyond.

July 2019

• Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market at The Bryan Museum | Thursdays in July – Take part in a community tradition by perusing locally grown produce and prepared foods from farms, ranches, bakeries, cheese-makers, and other producers in the region. 3pm to 6pm.
• 180th City of Galveston Independence Day Parade and Fireworks on Seawall Boulevard | Thursday, July 4 | FREE – Celebrate the stars and bars with Galveston Island’s annual parade that sends floats and performers down Seawall Boulevard between 59th and 25th Streets. Following the parade, a fireworks display dazzles over the Gulf of Mexico near 37th Street. 7pm.
• Sandcastle Building Lessons at Stewart Beach | Saturdays in July | FREE – Sculpt your beachside masterpiece using tips from professional sandcastle builders during free lessons. Watch these skilled artists craft sand sculptures beginning at 8am with lessons following at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.
• Movie Nite on The Strand presents Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, July 6 | FREE – Cozy up in The Strand District for a free screening of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black. 7:45pm.
• Summer Clay Camp with Pat Johnson at Galveston Arts Center | Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12 – Throughout this week-long workshop, award-winning figurative ceramicist Pat Johnson teaches ancient ceramic methods to help students sculpt usable pots and sculptures. 1pm to 4pm.

• Family Day: Rigs to Reefs at Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum | Saturday, July 13 – At reduced admission fees, guests to this Family Day event can learn how retired offshore rigs are transformed into artificial reefs for marine wildlife in the surrounding seas. 10am to 3pm.
• Galveston Artwalk | Saturday, July 13 | FREE – Scope out Galveston’s diverse arts scene with rotating art exhibits on display at local galleries, cafes, shops, and more across the island. 6pm to 9pm.
• Music Nite on The Strand presents Sarah Grace and the Soul at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, July 13 | FREE – Hit the dance floor in The Strand District for a performance by The Voice semifinalist Sarah Grace and the Soul as they play through irresistible blues and R&B tunes. This event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs as seating is limited. 6pm to 9pm.
• Movie Nite on The Strand presents First Man at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, July 20 | FREE – Enjoy an outdoor screening of First Man, the dramatic retelling of America’s risky mission to the moon, starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Academy Award-winner Damien Chazelle. 8pm.
• Anomaly: The Magic of Robby Bennett and Other Curiosities at The Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, July 27 – The world-travelling magic of Robby Bennett appears in Galveston for a wondrous blend of storytelling, hilarity, and stupendous illusions. Tickets range from $15 to $90. 7:30pm.

Click here to view the full calendar of events taking place on Galveston Island in July and beyond.

August 2019

• Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market at The Bryan Museum | Thursdays in August – Take part in a community tradition by perusing locally grown produce and prepared foods from farms, ranches, bakeries, cheese-makers, and other producers in the region. 3pm to 6pm.
• Sandcastle Building Lessons at Stewart Beach | Saturdays from August 3 through August 17 | FREE – Sculpt your beachside masterpiece using tips from professional sandcastle builders during free lessons. Watch these skilled artists craft sand sculptures beginning at 8am with lessons following at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.
• Movie Nite on The Strand presents Ralph Breaks the Internet at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, August 3 | FREE – Cozy up for a free film in The Strand District with Ralph Breaks the Internet, an animated adventure steeped in video games and pop culture. 7:30pm.
• Family Day: Needle Through a Balloon at Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum | Saturday, August 10 – At reduced admission, guests can enjoy a perplexing demonstration on the elasticity of polymers that pierces expectations. 10am to 3pm.
• Music Nite on The Strand presents Donovan Keith at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, August 10 | FREE – Hit the dance floor in The Strand District for an energetic performance by soul singer Donovan Keith. This event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs as seating is limited. 6pm to 9pm.

• Sand Crab 5K/10K Night Run at East Beach | Saturday, August 17 – Enjoy a rare nighttime run along the shore with 5K, 10K, and Kid’s Mile events that send runners west from East Beach and back again. 8pm to 10:30pm.
• AIA Sandcastle Competition at East Beach | Saturday, August 24 | FREE – More than sixty teams of talented sculptors dig out masterpieces along East Beach at this summer highlight on Galveston Island. This event is free and open to the public for spectating, though parking at East Beach is $15, cash only.
• Galveston Artwalk | Saturday, August 24 | FREE – Scope out Galveston’s diverse arts scene with rotating art exhibits on display at local galleries, cafes, shops, and more across the island. 6pm to 9pm.
• BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival at Moody Gardens | Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1 – Celebrating their tenth year, this craft beer festival offers samplings of more than 400 regional and international craft beers during the three-day festivities. General admission starts at $35, with VIP packages and other event tickets available.
• GCVA Labor Day Classic at East Beach | Saturday, August 31 – This annual event over Labor Day Weekend sees dozens of beach volleyball teams over multiple divisions compete to be crowned as champions. Free t-shirts will be handed out to the first 100 players to check in at the beach. Check-in begins at 8:30am with matches starting at 9am.

Click here to view the full calendar of events taking place on Galveston Island in August and beyond.

September 2019

• Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market at The Bryan Museum | Thursdays in September – Take part in a community tradition by perusing locally grown produce and prepared foods from farms, ranches, bakeries, cheese-makers, and other producers in the region. 3pm to 6pm.
• Movie Nite on The Strand presents Tommy Boy at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, September 7 | FREE – Laugh yourself to tears in The Strand District with a free screening of the 1995 comedy, Tommy Boy, starring Chris Farley and David Spade. 7pm.
• Family Day: Life on a Rig at Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum | Saturday, September 14 – At reduced admission, guests receive an up-close look at life as an offshore oil worker while they explore the decommissioned rig and museum. 10am to 3pm.
• Music Nite on The Strand presents Fab Five at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, September 14 | FREE – Hit the dance floor in The Strand District with Fab Five, performing the iconic hits of The Beatles. This event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs as seating is limited. 6pm to 9pm.
• GCVA Season Closer at East Beach | Sunday, September 22 – Closing the summer season of sand volleyball, Gulf Coast Volleyball Association looks for its final champion with dozens of competing teams across multiple divisions. Free t-shirts will be handed out to the first 100 players to check in at the beach. Check-in begins at 8:30am with matches starting at 9am.

Click here to view the full calendar of events taking place on Galveston Island in September and beyond.

See More & Save with Galveston Island Pass

While you’re on the island, consider taking advantage of Galveston Island Pass to explore Galveston’s charm, history, character, and fun, while saving 40% off admission to local attractions.

When you buy a Galveston Island Pass, you get to pick four or more participating attractions and save 40% off retail price. Passes are valid 30 days after purchase.

Participating Attractions include the 61st Street Fishing Pier, the American Undersea Warfare Center at SeaWolf Park, Bryan Museum, Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid, and more. Click here to see all participating attractions.

Click here to order a Galveston Island Pass or for more information. One pass per person.

This article was sponsored by Galveston CVB. Per our advertising and sponsorship policy, we only accept sponsored content from organizations that meet our editorial standards and truly present a valuable activity, event, resource or destination for residents and visitors across the greater Houston area. Advertising revenue helps support 365 Things to Do in Houston, and our contributors, allowing us to expand our coverage of activities and events around the Houston area. Click here to learn about promoting your event or business.