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 September 2024.
Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, but everyone in Houston knows that September is really just another month to seek refuge from the heat and hope for milder temperatures. Completely, making this the perfect time dip your toes into the water, explore history, savor fine food and drink, take in some of Texas’ best live musical acts, and more.
And of course, with big beaches, deep history, charming shopping, great dining, the big outdoors, and more—there’s always plenty do on Galveston every day of the year.
Check out the 10 best reasons to visit Galveston in 2024.
Special Events in Galveston in September 2024
- Island Vybz Reggae Fest at Beach Central Beach Central | Friday, September 6 & Saturday, 7 – Head to the heart of the island along the seawall for a two-day celebration of Caribbean culture, music, and community spirit. $20 for a single day; $25 for both days. Times vary.
- Strand Summer Series: Barbie Movie Screening at Hendley Green | Saturday, 7 | FREE – The movie finale to Galveston’s Strand Summer Series (the live local music finale follows next week to full close out the summer) is the 2023 blockbuster starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and a long list of familiar names and faces. 6:30pm to 9pm.
- Galveston Sand Crab Night Beach 5K, 10K & Kid Mile at East Beach | Saturday, September 7 – Everyone’s welcome at a night run on the beach, complete with food vendors and beers from Galveston Island Brewing, music, and more. $80. 8pm to 11pm.
- Galveston Island Car Show at Moody Gardens | Saturday, September 7 & Sunday, September 8 – Head to the Island, where you can immerse yourself in a dazzling array of vehicles, explore diverse vendors, and take advantage of exclusive hotel packages. $10 and up. Times vary.
- Captain Kid’s Triathlon at Moody Gardens | Sunday, September 8 – Kids ages 6 to 15 line up for a pirate-themed triathlon in the resort and water park, where they’ll swim in the lazy river, bike through the resort and seal the deal with a run through the tropical gardens. Course length varies by age division. $125. 7:30am to noon.
- Galveston Family Beach Challenge: Champion of Champions at East Beach | Sunday, September 8 | FREE – The season of battles comes to its epic conclusion in the final battle of the summer, as families compete in a series of challenges on sand and sea for exciting prizes and acclaim. 11am to 3pm.
- 17th Annual Galveston Women’s Conference at Moody Gardens Convention Center | Friday, September 13 – Actress and author Jennifer Grey, best known as Dirty’s Dancing‘s Baby, keynotes at a day full of empowerment, inspiration, and retail therapy. $225; $175 for Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce members. 9am to 5pm.
- Strand Summer Series: Galvezton, India Tigers in Texas, Kevin Anthony & G-Town at Saengerfest Park | Saturday, September 14 | FREE – The free summer concert and movie series wraps up with a showcase of local island talent, featuring Galveston’s musician and poet Robert Kuhn, the wavy sounds of India Tigers in Texas, and Kevin Anthony’s mix of country, Cajun, blues, Mexican and swamp pop. $25 VIP seating option available. 5:30pm to 9pm.
- Johnny Mathis in Concert at The Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, September 14 – “The Voice of Romance” celebrates his almost 70-year recording career with a live stage performance on the stage in historic downtown Galveston. $58 and up. 8pm.
- Waves of Impact Surf Camp at Porretto Beach | Friday, September 20 & Saturday, September 21 | FREE with Registration – Children with special challenges are invited to sign up for special one-on-one surf lessons at the privately owned Porretto Beach. Advance registration is required, but the lessons are free. Sessions available both days from 10am to 4pm.
- AIA & La Izquierda Galveston Sandcastle Festival at East Beach | Saturday, September 21 & Sunday, September 22 – The island’s annual sandcastle competition expands this year into a two-day festival, adding live music from local and regional bands, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and foodie events to complement the 40 teams of sandcastle builders. $10 for both days. 10am to 6pm both days.
- 15th Annual Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival in Downtown Galveston | Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28 – The annual shrimp festival offers a seafood lover’s paradise, kicking off with the—sure to sell out—Friday Kick-Off Party featuring a fried shrimp dinner, open bar, and live entertainment for $65; and followed by Saturday afternoon’s main event, the Shrimp Gumbo Cook-Off and Gumbo Stroll on the island’s Historic Strand, with sampling cups available for pre-purchase for $13 and shrimp dinner plates for $20. Other festivities include the Shrimp Scamper 5K Fun Run, Ron Hoover Boat Show, Strand Merchant Walkabout, the Lil’ Shrimps Parade, and live music. Times and prices vary.
Things to Do in Galveston All Month Long
- Professional Sandcastle Building Lessons at East Beach | Every Saturday Morning | FREE – Learn tricks and tools of the trade from the pros at weekly walk-up sandcastle building lessons on East Beach. 11am; 1pm and 3pm each week through Labor Day weekend.
- Galveston’s Own Farmers Market at the Market at The Depot | Every Sunday Morning | FREE – Get your Sunday started out right at the market dedicated to connecting good folks with good food and each other. Shoppers of all ages can mingle and find fresh local produce, croissants, coffee, spices, meat, eggs, and more. 9am to 1pm.
- Broadway Beauties Walking Tour Starting at Moody Mansion | Saturday, September 7 & Saturday, September 21 – Stroll by 20 of Galveston’s most elegant mansions and learn about their families, their impact on the city, and how a small group of gifted architects shaped the Galveston of today. Little detours will reveal hidden gems that few people know to look are there. 10:30am both dates.
- Sacred Places Walking Tour Starting at 1859 St. Joseph’s Church | Sunday, September 8 & Saturday, September 22 – Visit a dozen of the most historic places of worship in Galveston’s downtown area, learning the history of those diverse denominations in Texas and their early clergy. 10:30am both dates.
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