The 22nd Annual ARToberFEST Galveston – the island’s premier juried fine arts Festival – will again transform the city’s historic downtown cultural arts district into an open air gallery bursting with color and culture. Set for the weekend of October 19-20, this spectacular Festival will take place on Postoffice Street between 20th and 23rd streets, between the hours of 10-6, Saturday, October 19; and 11-5, Sunday, October 20.
Sponsored by The Grand 1894 Opera House, this year’s event will honor the life of Jeff Hamachek – a long-time participant in ARToberFEST. “Recognized as a professionally-trained fine artist with a contemporary impressionistic style influenced by masters Monet and Van Gogh, Jeff Hamachek left us much too soon. We are very grateful to his wife Jerri, who has agreed to participate in this year’s Festival to showcase some of his fine work,” noted Festival Coordinator, Sarah Piel. Hamachek was well-respected not only by his peers locally, but nation-wide as well.
This year’s event will feature 14 different forms of artistic media to be showcased by over 100 exceptional artists participating from throughout the United States, as well as artists from the Houston/Galveston Gulf Coast area. In addition to viewing and having the opportunity to purchase an exceptional selection of fine art, festival goers can look forward to great live entertainment, an expanded, lively and fun Children’s Creative Zone. Again, this year the always-popular Galveston’s Farmer’s Market and specialty food vendors will be returning, with a new vendor – Black’s Fairy Meadery –offering a special honey wine from nearby West Columbia.
Plus, entertainment for this year’s ARToberFEST will also be very special – featuring hardpan artist, Andrew Baker, and acoustic guitarist, Wayne Holt – performing daily from 3pm-5pm on the festival grounds.
Again this year, youngsters are sure to have a fun time, too! The Children’s Creative Zone – an interactive art activities area will be set up near The Grand 1894 Opera House – on the 21st and Postoffice Street block. Your children and grandchildren can look forward to creating their own masterpieces to take home, with activities led by high school students. In addition, there will be a special Young Collector’s Gallery. Open to children only, the Young Collector’s Gallery will showcase works by kids –for kids! The artwork will be priced at $5 per piece –to encourage youngsters to begin their own art collection. This special gallery will be open from 12 noon – 3pm both Saturday and Sunday. It’s important to note that all the art for the Young Collector’s Gallery was created and donated by the LaMarque High School Art Department, with proceeds dedicated from gallery sales to support the Daisy’s Friends Fund at The Grand 1894 Opera House. (This project provides funding for disadvantaged students to be able to attend a Serious Fun Children’s Series Performance at The Grand.)
ARToberFEST admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 free. A portion of admissions will benefit the Educational Outreach Programs of The Grand 1894 Opera House. For additional information about ARToberFEST, contact Festival Director Sarah Piel at 409.770.5066, 800.821.1894 or via email at spiel@thegrand.com. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston’s historic downtown Cultural Arts District, and recognized as ‘The Official Opera House of the State of Texas.’ All major credit cards accepted.
October 19th (12 noon-12 midnight): Oktoberfest – This annual super fun event is always the party of the year! Oktoberfest at Galveston Island Brewing is an all day free event filled with food and dance, commemorative stein sales, muffaletta eating contest, costume contest, stein holding competitions, and of course, Oktoberfest beer specials. Slide into those lederhosen and lace up your dirndl dress, they are throwing down German style at the brewery! The Shrimp and Stuff food truck will be selling traditional German food like Jaegar Schnitzel, Bratwurst on a Bun, Bavarian pretzels & more. German music and dance from Auf Geht’s will be held 2-5pm. Galveston Island Brewing authentic 1-liter flip top ceramic steins are on sale now ($60) and on the day of the event. There will be a Muffaletta Eating Contest sponsored by Maceo Spice and Import Company at 3pm ($10 per entry). A Costume Contest will be at 4pm. Show up on the dance floor in full Bavarian flair or in another Oktoberfest related costume in order to participate. There will be a Women’s (5pm) and Men’s (5:30pm) Masskrugstemmen (stein holding) contest. $10 to enter. More details are on the event page on Facebook.
Every Thursday 3-6pm and Sunday 9am-12 noon (note new summer hours), Galveston’s Own Farmers Market is held at The Bryan Museum Gardens, located at 1315 21st St. Come to the beautiful Conservatory and botanical gardens to relax and enjoy time and conversation with friends, family, and museum staff while shopping for locally grown produce, prepared foods, and edible farm products, plus live music, yoga, massage, crafting and Kids Corner!
The Thursday market features all of the perks that you’ve come to expect at the market plus the added charms of the Bryan Museum’s “Wine at the Bryan” weekly event. The Sunday market also features wonderful goods and the charm of Bryan’s courtyard. It is always free to browse and most events are FREE to participate.
At every market, there will be:
- Live music
- A chance to learn more about The Bryan Museum
- FREE recycling with Keepin’ It Green: Every week, they accept your clean, rinsed recyclable plastics, glass, aluminum and paper/cardboard. KIG comes to pick it up every week aftermarket.
- Family-friendly activities sponsored by partners like Rosenberg Library, Galveston Island State Park, Galveston Island Humane Society, etc.
GOFM is always “BYOC” – bring your own cup. They have eliminated single-use cups for the free Sunday morning coffee station and Thursday water station. Support the initiative by cleaning out your cupboards and donating unwanted mugs to market for others to use.
Every Sunday (10am): Yoga Classes – These classes are led by local yoga teachers. All classes are free to attend.
Galveston’s Own Farmers Market operates 2 markets every week, Thursdays & Sundays.
Join us this Sunday and every Sunday!
9am-12pm (June-September)
9am-1pm (October-May)
at The Bryan Museum – Galveston (1315 21st St)
year-round
*There is always live music and activities/information offered by one of our many Community Partners, whether it’s Rosenberg Library, Galveston Island State Park – Texas Parks and Wildlife, Galveston Sports Massage, facepainting or beyond…
*Products typically available include: kombucha, fresh bread, hand-roasted coffee, teas/salves/tinctures, olive oil, baked goods, salsa, jams, fresh eggs & meats and fresh produce. All GOFM markets utilize only LOCAL vendors selling foods they grow or make themselves, which means at certain times of year we have very little produce because our local farmers have very little harvest (ie if it has rained a great deal, or the middle of summer, immediately after several days of freeze, etc.)
The 22nd Annual ARToberFEST Galveston – the island’s premier juried fine arts Festival – will again transform the city’s historic downtown cultural arts district into an open air gallery bursting with color and culture. Set for the weekend of October 19-20, this spectacular Festival will take place on Postoffice Street between 20th and 23rd streets, between the hours of 10-6, Saturday, October 19; and 11-5, Sunday, October 20.
Sponsored by The Grand 1894 Opera House, this year’s event will honor the life of Jeff Hamachek – a long-time participant in ARToberFEST. “Recognized as a professionally-trained fine artist with a contemporary impressionistic style influenced by masters Monet and Van Gogh, Jeff Hamachek left us much too soon. We are very grateful to his wife Jerri, who has agreed to participate in this year’s Festival to showcase some of his fine work,” noted Festival Coordinator, Sarah Piel. Hamachek was well-respected not only by his peers locally, but nation-wide as well.
This year’s event will feature 14 different forms of artistic media to be showcased by over 100 exceptional artists participating from throughout the United States, as well as artists from the Houston/Galveston Gulf Coast area. In addition to viewing and having the opportunity to purchase an exceptional selection of fine art, festival goers can look forward to great live entertainment, an expanded, lively and fun Children’s Creative Zone. Again, this year the always-popular Galveston’s Farmer’s Market and specialty food vendors will be returning, with a new vendor – Black’s Fairy Meadery –offering a special honey wine from nearby West Columbia.
Plus, entertainment for this year’s ARToberFEST will also be very special – featuring hardpan artist, Andrew Baker, and acoustic guitarist, Wayne Holt – performing daily from 3pm-5pm on the festival grounds.
Again this year, youngsters are sure to have a fun time, too! The Children’s Creative Zone – an interactive art activities area will be set up near The Grand 1894 Opera House – on the 21st and Postoffice Street block. Your children and grandchildren can look forward to creating their own masterpieces to take home, with activities led by high school students. In addition, there will be a special Young Collector’s Gallery. Open to children only, the Young Collector’s Gallery will showcase works by kids –for kids! The artwork will be priced at $5 per piece –to encourage youngsters to begin their own art collection. This special gallery will be open from 12 noon – 3pm both Saturday and Sunday. It’s important to note that all the art for the Young Collector’s Gallery was created and donated by the LaMarque High School Art Department, with proceeds dedicated from gallery sales to support the Daisy’s Friends Fund at The Grand 1894 Opera House. (This project provides funding for disadvantaged students to be able to attend a Serious Fun Children’s Series Performance at The Grand.)
ARToberFEST admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 free. A portion of admissions will benefit the Educational Outreach Programs of The Grand 1894 Opera House. For additional information about ARToberFEST, contact Festival Director Sarah Piel at 409.770.5066, 800.821.1894 or via email at spiel@thegrand.com. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston’s historic downtown Cultural Arts District, and recognized as ‘The Official Opera House of the State of Texas.’ All major credit cards accepted.
Come take a cooking class at The Kitchen Chick! Jump on your broom and fly over for our festive sugar cookie class! Chef Stephanie will teach you her secret recipe for making foolproof sugar cookies and how to ice them perfectly. You’ll learn to MAKE, pour, pipe, border, fill, dye, paint and dust royal frosting! Each participant will leave with a dozen spooky Halloween cookies, as well as all the recipes, knowledge and confidence to make them again at home! This class is all treats – no tricks!
$55/person.
Please call 409-497-2999 to reserve your spot! Reservations are made on a first come, first serve basis (website comments will NOT count as reservations; you must call us!). Payment is due at the time of reservation.
Please Read The Fine Print: The Kitchen Chick will refund your tuition in full for cancellations made up to 72 hours before the class. No refunds or credits will be given for a cancellation made less than 72 hours before the class. Cancellations or changes can be made by calling 409-497-2999 or emailing alicia@aliciac1.sg-host.com. When a class is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will contact you by email or telephone and issue a full refund. If you miss a class due to weather-related concerns, our standard cancellation policy applies.
Class sizes are kept small to ensure you get to interact with the instructors. Can’t wait to get cooking with you!
Every Sunday 1-4pm, join the acoustic jam!
Galveston Island Brewery (GIB) is a local brewery featuring an on-site taproom showcasing classic beer styles from around the world. The tap room is open seven days a week, Monday-Thursday 3-9pm, Friday 3pm-11pm, Saturday 12 noon-11pm, and Sunday 12 noon-9pm. For more info call (409)740-7000, go to galvestonislandbrewing.com, or you can always stop by the brewery located at 8423 Stewart Rd., Galveston.
This October, Hotel Galvez is changing its monthly ghost tour dinners to weekly on Tuesdays-Fridays. On Fridays, the ghost tour dinner is only available as part of an overnight package. The weekday ghost tour dinner is $65 per person and includes a 1 ½ hour guided ghost tour followed by a three-course meal in the restaurant. Tours begin at 6pm. At The Tremont House, guests are invited to wear their favorite Halloween costume. Costumes and Cocktails are scheduled on Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th, 6-10pm.
About Hotel Galvez & Spa®
Hotel Galvez & Spa®, A Wyndham Grand® Hotel, is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast. This 224-room, century-old hotel offers 13,000 square feet of meeting space, a 9,763-square-foot spa, fitness center, full-service restaurant, lobby bar, pool with a swim-up bar and Hall of History. The hotel is rated four diamonds by AAA and is owned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell family as part of Mitchell Historic Properties. For reservations, call (409)765-7721, or visit HotelGalvez.com.
About The Tremont House
The Tremont House, A Wyndham Grand® Hotel, is owned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell family as part of Mitchell Historic Properties. The Tremont House is a 119-room boutique-style hotel located in the heart of The Strand National Historic Landmark District and Galveston’s Downtown Cultural Arts District. The Quarters at The Tremont House offers 14 luxury, loft-style extended-stay suites. The hotel features 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a bistro-style café, fitness center and two bars for entertainment – the 1888 Toujouse Bar and The Rooftop Bar. The Tremont House received the 2018 “Best of Wyndham Grand” Award for its exceptional service. For reservations, call (409)763-0300 or visit TheTremontHouse.com.
October 23rd (12 noon-11pm): 4th Annual Out to Eat for Education – Make a commitment to go Out to Eat on October 23rd, the same day as the BHS Homecoming Parade! Funds will be raised by restaurants contributing a percentage of their food sales generated will support GEF and its Grants to Teachers and Schools program, which provides resources directly to educators to implement innovative learning strategies in GISD classrooms. You can support the event simply by dining out at a participating restaurant. A list of restaurants is available at GalvestonEdFoundation.org, beginning September 1st. If you are a restaurant owner or manager interested in signing up, please email TerryMuehe@gisd.org.
This October, Hotel Galvez is changing its monthly ghost tour dinners to weekly on Tuesdays-Fridays. On Fridays, the ghost tour dinner is only available as part of an overnight package. The weekday ghost tour dinner is $65 per person and includes a 1 ½ hour guided ghost tour followed by a three-course meal in the restaurant. Tours begin at 6pm. At The Tremont House, guests are invited to wear their favorite Halloween costume. Costumes and Cocktails are scheduled on Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th, 6-10pm.
About Hotel Galvez & Spa®
Hotel Galvez & Spa®, A Wyndham Grand® Hotel, is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast. This 224-room, century-old hotel offers 13,000 square feet of meeting space, a 9,763-square-foot spa, fitness center, full-service restaurant, lobby bar, pool with a swim-up bar and Hall of History. The hotel is rated four diamonds by AAA and is owned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell family as part of Mitchell Historic Properties. For reservations, call (409)765-7721, or visit HotelGalvez.com.
About The Tremont House
The Tremont House, A Wyndham Grand® Hotel, is owned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell family as part of Mitchell Historic Properties. The Tremont House is a 119-room boutique-style hotel located in the heart of The Strand National Historic Landmark District and Galveston’s Downtown Cultural Arts District. The Quarters at The Tremont House offers 14 luxury, loft-style extended-stay suites. The hotel features 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a bistro-style café, fitness center and two bars for entertainment – the 1888 Toujouse Bar and The Rooftop Bar. The Tremont House received the 2018 “Best of Wyndham Grand” Award for its exceptional service. For reservations, call (409)763-0300 or visit TheTremontHouse.com.
