Fall Events Not to Miss in Galveston
This fall, the weather might turn cooler, but that doesn’t mean things aren’t heating up in Galveston with all of the activities going on. During October and November, the Galveston Bay Area comes alive with things that go bump in the night, and great festivals for all ages and interests.
Ghostly Galveston
From spooky ghost stories at the Menard House, to chilling graveyard tours, to live music, to Boo on the Boardwalk, this is THE place for the finest ghoulish fun. If you love the supernatural, the spooky, and the tragic, you are in the right place in Galveston. After all, the city is known as one of the most haunted destinations in all of America. Discover a history rich in tales of pirates, tragic deaths, subsequent hauntings, and voodoo.
Take your haunted adventure up a notch by experiencing a fun and unique Bus Ghost Tour in October. The Galveston Experience Company hosts ghosts tours where you’ll see haunted places such as the Grand Galvez Resort & Spa, 1880 Garten Verein, Moody Mansion, and others. Visit the frightening Broadway cemetery and hear first-hand accounts of ghost stories.
ARToberFEST
October 16-17, art lovers will delight in a weekend of fine art browsing and buying with this annual outdoor event. Full of interesting and amazing art, this festival is also activities-oriented and showcases the work of over 120 U.S. artists, sponsored by The Grand 1894 Opera House. Located in the historic downtown cultural arts district, visitors have the opportunity to meet with exhibiting artists, enjoy artists’ demonstrations, food, and entertainment in Galveston’s historic setting.
Oktoberfest
October 22nd-24th, the First Lutheran Church on 24th and Winnie in downtown Galveston hosts a lively event not to be missed. Oktoberfest is German-themed fun for the entire family. Throughout this three-day event, there is great music and dancing, a Biergarten with both German and domestic brews, amazing multi-course German dinners and other traditional food, handmade pretzels, and so much more. Take part in the Chicken Dance contest, and let the kids loose at the expanded Kids’ Zone. Best of all, admission is FREE, with proceeds going to outreach programs such as Feed Galveston and Fanfare. Get dressed up in your German attire for prizes to be won!
Lone Star Motorcycle Rally
November 4th-7th, experience the largest four-day biker rally in the country. The Lone Star Motorcycle Rally makes its way to Galveston Island, where hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will gather among hundreds of vendors to celebrate one of the finest machines known to man. The rally consists of several exciting bike shows, as well as live concerts and a number of celebrity appearances. Admire custom bikes and classic cars while sampling delicious food trucks and local restaurants. Shop the vendors for custom bike gear and everything bike related, then make your way to one of the two main stages to listen to some great music. Over 40 musical acts spanning a variety of musical genres will be on hand to entertain you. All concerts are FREE with admission.