Pleasure Pier and beach on Galveston Island

Galveston

Travel Region

Gulf Coast

Population

50,000

The resilient “playground of the South” offers travelers a wealth of activities, so many that you’ll have to remind yourself to save time to kick back on the beach.

Upcoming Events

Mary Chapin Carpenter in Concert

June 3

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

Grammy Award winner Mary Chapin Carpenter takes the stage for one dynamic concert. Chapin is just one of only 15 female members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and has also won two Academy of Country Music awards.

thegrand.com

The Texas Tenors in Concert

June 10-11

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

The most successful touring group in the history of "America's Got Talent," the Texas Tenors have created a special performance for The Grand that celebrates music legends.

thegrand.com

World Ocean Day

June 10

East Beach Park, 1923 Boddeker Road

Galveston's World Ocean Day features kayaking, beach tours, interactive exhibits hosted by eco-friendly businesses, and other attractions.

artistboat.org/world-ocean-day-festival

Juneteenth Celebrations

June 15-19

Various locations

Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, and every year the community hosts citywide events that include symposiums, galas, an emancipation gospel celebration, a Juneteenth parade and picnic, and a reenactment of the reading of General Order No. 3, which informed the people of Texas that slavery ended.

juneteenthbirthplace.com

Hotter Than Birding Competition

June 25-26

Various locations

This birding big day is a fun, fast-paced, semi-competitive race to see which team can identify the most brid species in Galveston County in 24 hours.

galvestonnaturetourism.org

Air, Car, and Boat Show

Aug. 11-13

Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd.

The air show ranges from P-63 King Cobra and DH-115 Vampire to the Ghostwriter pyrotechnics show planes with daredevil pilots sending off fireworks trails to light up the night sky. The boat show showcases an array of yachts at the Moody Gardens Marina. The car show at Moody Gardens Convention Center is filled with rows of classic vehicles and the stories that accompany them.

moodygardens.org

AIA Sandcastle Competition

Aug. 12-13

East Beach Park, 1923 Boddeker Road

Members of the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects hit the sand and build for hours to win the Golden Bucket Award. Structures remain in place for Sunday viewing.

aiahouston.org

Esports Summit

Aug. 25-27

Galveston Island Convention Center, 5600 Seawall Blvd.

Attendees can look, learn, and participate in the fastest-growing entertainment industry in the world. Panel discussions, hands-on opportunities, and celebrity appearances are part of the fun.

galvestonesports.com

The June 2023 cover of Texas Highways Magazine

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