Make your way down island for multi-day festival fun, classic cars, challenges for kids and families, food and drink, epic sandcastle building, and more things to do around Galveston Island in December 2024.
‘Tis island time for the holidays, with possibly the most unique Christmas festival in the United States leading the charge.
But it’s in good company with a month long, multipart holiday celebration at Moody Gardens, 1930s biplane Christmas light tours in the sky, magical train rides to the North Pole inspired by a holiday classic, a retired NPR Saturday night radio favorite brought live to the stage, a line up of New Year’s Eve celebrations introducing 2025, and more.
With big headline fall festivals and parties, a bevy of genuine and imagined haunted happenings, great weather for outdoor dining, and more, fall is alway a fantastic time to be on Galveston Island.
And of course, with deep history, charming shopping, great dining, the big outdoors, and more—there’s always plenty do on Galveston every day of the year.
Galveston’s Top 21 Festivals, Events & Holiday Attractions in December 2024
Attractions, events, and shows listed below are not ranked, but listed chronologically by start date, then end date.
Miracle Pop Up Bar at Daiquiri Time Out | Daily through Monday, December 30 | No Cover – The kitschy holiday pop-up bar is back in full force at Galveston’s DTO, featuring professionally-developed cocktails and the nostalgic energy of the best office Christmas party ever. Times vary.
Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens | Daily through New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1 – Anchored by the annual winter experience Iceland: Rainforest Holiday, Moody Gardens expansive holiday celebrations and attractions that also includes Festival of Lights, A Holiday Fantasy: A Live Show Spectacular Dinner and Show, an outdoor ice skating rink, arctic slide, a holiday buffet, train rides, holiday films, and more. Dates, times, and prices vary.
Holiday Lights Flights on Scallywag Air at Scholes International Airport | Daily through Sunday, January 5 – Get cozy with your plus-1 in the open cockpit of a biplane designed in the 1930s and take flight for a 15-minute nighttime adventure touring the holiday lights of Galveston Island from the skies. $250 for 2 passengers; make it a 25-minute flight for an extra $100. Time slots available 6pm to 9pm nightly.
Winston Cook & Sahara Smith Songswap at Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe | Thursday, December 5 – Galveston’s legendary listening room hosts casual song swap with Houston’s own Winston Cook and Austin’s Sahara Smith, taking turns performing their own music and mixing it up with the audience. $15. 8:30pm.
The Polar Express at the Galveston Railroad Museum | Weekends & Select Weekdays From Thursday, December 5 to Monday, December 23 – One of the most magical family holiday experiences, the annual Polar Express train ride invites families on a 60-minute journey to the North Pole. During the experience, they’ll meet characters from the iconic film, including the conductor, the singing chefs, the hobo, and Santa Claus; dig into cookies and hot! hot! hot chocolate; and enjoy dancing elves, thousands of lights, and more. Prices and times vary.
Local Author Book Sale & Signing at Galveston County Museum | Friday, December 6 | No Cover – Browse books highlighting local history, things to do in Galveston, and historical fiction and get your finds signed by the authors at a unique island holiday shopping pop-up. 10am to 2pm.
East End Holiday Homes Tour in Galveston | Friday, December 6 – Coinciding with downtown Galveston’s weekend-long Dickens on the Strand Christmas festival, the East End Historical District welcomes guests into 4 private, historic homes decked out for the holidays. $25. 5:30pm to 9:30pm.
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Friday, December 6 & Saturday, December 7 – Also aligned with the weekend’s Dickens on the Strand, the beloved story of miserly Scrooge and his meetings with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future comes to the Island. See how this clutching, grasping, covetous and mean old man confronts his own humanity in this timeless classic. $27 and up. Showtimes vary.
51st Annual Dickens on the Strand in Downtown Galveston | Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 – Travel back in time as Galveston’s historic Strand is transformed into Charles Dickens’ Victorian London—complete with its own Queen Victoria—for a big, crowd-pleasing, all ages Christmas festival. Gear up for parades, live entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers, and visits with characters from Dickens’ books. Free on Friday; Saturday and Sunday tickets start at $20; $13 for ages 7 to 12; free for ages 5 and under. Times vary.
Holiday Delights: A Coastal Christmas at the Bryan Museum | Sunday, December 8 | FREE – The kid-forward, family-focused holiday festival fills the Galveston museum’s grounds with ocean-themed decorations, games, crafts, and mermaid photos, pictures with and letters to Santa, a petting zoo, an elf hunt, food trucks, music, and storybook readings. 10am to 2pm.
Free Holiday Band Concert at Moody Mansion | Sunday, December 8 | FREE – Galveston’s gorgeous and historic grand dame residence on Broadway hosts the Galveston Community Band, performing their annual backyard. holiday concert on the back patio. 7pm to 9pm.
Christmas Market with Santa at Galveston Island Brewing | Saturday, December 14 | FREE – Celebrate the holidays with gift shopping, caroling, food trucks, and Santa Claus himself at the 2nd annual Christmas Market in Galveston. Shop over 20 vendors featuring handcrafted treasures, decorations, and holiday surprises. Noon to 8pm.
Galveston Christmas Parade in the Historic Strand District | Saturday, December 14 | FREE with 1 New Unwrapped Toy – Presented by the Galveston Municipal Police Association, the annual holiday feature floats and organizations from the community. Toys go the association’s Blue Santa program. 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
Holiday With The Cranes on Galveston Island | Saturday, December 14 & Sunday, December 15 – Celebrate the annual pre-holiday return of the 4-foot tall, red-capped sandhill cranes who winter on the island at one or many individual indoor and outdoor nature events held over 2 days. Events start at $40. Times vary from sunrise to sunset on both days.
City Ballet of Houston: The Nutcracker at Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, December 14 to Sunday, December 15 – An island tradition 25 years running, the beloved production returns connecting audiences new and old to the story of Clara, who who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, a Sugar Plum Fairy, and a fierce battle against a Mouse King. Matinee performances will be followed by a presentation about the show and a meet and greet with ballet dancers from the show. $19.50 and up. Times vary.
Breakfast with the Grinch at The Spot Galveston | Sunday, December 15 – The Christmas mischief maker returns the beachside favorite for a morning of meet and greets with photos. RSVP requested. $13.99; $7.99 kids includes breakfast. 9am to 11am.
Holiday Fantasy: A Live Show Spectacular at Moody Gardens | Thursday, December 19 through Saturday, December 28 – musical theater illusions, acrobatics, stunning visuals and electrifying performances into a heartwarming spectacle that will reignite your holiday joy. Showtimes vary.
Breakfast with Santa at Rainforest Cafe | Saturday, December 21 – Kids write letters to the Santa and get their pictures taken with him, while everyone enjoys a hearty plated breakfast. There will also be holiday activities, raffles, prizes, and retail discounts. Meanwhile kids will go home with goodie bags. $25.95; $17.69 ages 4 to 10; free ages 3 and under. 9am to 11am.
A Prairie Home Companion Christmas at The Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, December 21 – Garrison Keillor and the PHC crew offer this special holiday edition of the beloved radio program. The show includes many of the Companion’s favorite sketches, including the Adventures of Guy Noir, Duane & His Mom and the News from Lake Wobegon. There’s also A Christmas Carolette and an audience singalong of 5 beloved carols. $38 and up. 8pm.
Santa Hustle 5K, Half Marathon & Kids Dash at Beach Central | Sunday, December 22 – Jingle all the way as you don your best Santa gear and sleigh the race along the Seawall. Kids Dash participants will receive a long-sleeve shirt, plus a Santa hat and beard. Registration is $79.99 for the 5K; $125 for the Half Marathon; $34.99 for the Kids Dash. 7:30am.
New Year’s Eve on Galveston Island | New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31 – Galveston is always a destination for New Year’s fun and revelry, for both families and carefree adults. Already announced at press time are a “midnight-inspired” afternoon of family fun at Galveston Island Brewing (hint: “midnight” happens at 6pm), followed by grown-up hotel celebrations like the New Year’s Supper Club at The San Luis Resort, a New Year’s Celebration at Hilton Galveston Island Resort, the New Year’s Eve Cruise on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat at Moody Gardens, and the 2-parter New Year’s Eve Party and New Year’s Day Wellness at Hotel Lucine. If you’re looking for something more casual, island nightlife mainstays on the beach and in historic Downtown will be welcoming visitors and 2025 at parties like the Motown Bash at B. Jigger’s. Expect to discover many more by mid-December.
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