When it comes to great places to spend quality time with the family, Galveston, Texas is hard to top. Whether you’re a family that loves to spend time on the shoreline, has a heart for history, or is looking forward to shopping and dining your way through a stay Galveston has no shortage of options for customizing an itinerary. While there’s plenty of sand, sun, and surf to go around, it’s also a destination that hosts an impressive lineup of annual events that are great for everyone to enjoy during a visit. No matter what time of year you arrive, you’ll find unique events and gatherings waiting to be explored. The following are the top five family friendly events in Galveston that you’re definitely going to want to check out the next time you’re here.
Enjoy a Holiday in the Gardens
If your Galveston getaway brings you here with the family between November and January, you’ll be right on time to take part in the annual Holiday in the Gardens event at Moody Gardens. This destination is always a treat for travelers, but at this time of year, the gardens transform into a winter wonderland of fun for all ages. Guests are invited to come and enjoy the holiday décor or make the most of time in the Ice Land setup before enjoying a stroll through the Festival of Lights. Closer to December, there are opportunities to book a breakfast with Santa experience when you’re hoping to get pictures of the kids and find time for them to transfer their wish list to Santa in person.
Get the Most out of Galveston Museum Day
Those who travel here in January will want to make sure to make time to enjoy the annual Galveston Museum Day. Typically held for two days toward the end of the month, Galveston Museum Day is a chance for locals and visitors alike to enjoy discounted and even free admission to local museums where they can learn more about Galveston’s rich and fascinating past. Locations that often participate include the Galveston Arts Center, the Galveston Children’s Museum, Galveston Historic Seaport & 1877 Tall Ship Elissa, Galveston Naval Museum, the railroad museum, Moody Mansion, Nia Cultural Center, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum as well as the Bryan Museum and the Grand 1894 Opera House.
Check Out the Grand Kids Festival
April in Galveston is a time of year when you can count on adding a stop at the Grand Kids Festival to your family-focused adventure. This event is designed to foster an appreciation among families for the performing, folk, and visual arts. It’s hosted in downtown Galveston and includes a variety of crafts, kids’ activities, dance and musical performances as well as food and beverage options to enjoy. There’s even a petting zoo for those who are looking to add some creature cuteness into the experience!
Experience 4th of July Celebrations in Galveston
When Independence Day rolls around, there’s nothing quite as vibrant or fun as a galveston family friendly event to take part in the festive celebrations. Each 4th of July, the city comes to life in patriotic fun with a parade on the lineup as well as special community events, vendors, and fireworks in the evening. It’s truly an experience with something for everyone in your traveling crew to enjoy.
Don’t Miss the AIA Sandcastle Competition
Each summer, a top event in Galveston that’s loved by families is the AIA Sandcastle Competition. Hosted each August, this unique competition sees over 60 teams competing to win the prestigious Golden Bucket Award by creating breathtaking sand art right on the shoreline. Sand sculptures are judged on artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique, originality of concept, and utilization of the site as well. Taking time to browse the many entries is inspiring and there are even options to book sandcastle-building lessons during this event if you’re looking to learn more about how it’s done and put your own skills to the test!
Book Your Journey to Galveston Today
There’s never been a better time to begin turning your travel plans into a well-deserved reality. Whether you only have a few days to spare or you’re looking forward to an extended journey to Texas, the team at Porter is here to make sure you have amazing accommodations to match. Our collection of vacation rentals is designed to inspire our guests by keeping them close to the places they can’t wait to explore and infusing luxury, comfort, and style into the experience every step of the way. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our impressive lineup of property options available across Galveston and how we can help you elevate every single moment of your stay. We look forward to welcoming you to scenic Galveston soon.