Galveston Island Book Festival is an annual event where Readers can meet exciting new authors, or say hi to their favorite local author in an atmosphere of relaxed enjoyment.
For more information and a list of authors participating in the event visit the OFFICIAL website http://galveston.bookfestival.network/index.php
The Island goes Greek for the 37th Annual Galveston Greek Festival, October 12 and 13, when the Greek Community hosts their annual party at 1824 Ball St.
What sets this event apart is that the food made on-site by parishioners, mostly who are professional chefs, or incredible cooks in their own right. Fresh ingredients are used in the centuries-old recipes much to the delight of all visitors. The Greek plate consists of pastitsio, meatballs, dolmades, olives, salad, cheese, and bread for $16. All other items sold ala carte include souvlaki, gyros, dolmades, meat and vegetarian, salad, olives and cheese, tyropita and spanakopita. Prices range from $4 to $8. A meal is not complete without a pastry or two and selections include baklava, kourambiedes, paximadia, koulourakia, and a few new pastries that will debut at the event. All foods and pastries are available to go.
A featured beverage is FIX beer, the Bud of Greece for generations, as well as Mythos Beer, that has won numerous awards for its flavor and remains a favorite of the European market. Served ice cold, both are sure to win the favor of those attending the Greek Festival. Greek wines have been paired to compliment the dishes being served.
Returning by popular demand is King of Bouzouki, Alex Kalos who will perform with his band throughout festival hours, and the Greek Dancers who will perform every two hours. Church tours will be led by Father Stelios Sitaras. Imported merchandise and food products from Greece will be available for purchase at the community gift shop and at vendor booths. An inside-outside event, the festival is rain or shine.
There is no admission to attend the festival, however, a small donation is appreciated and proceeds benefit the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Food and drink tickets sold in $2 increments. cash and credit cards are accepted, and an ATM is available.
Come for a visit and stay awhile. Greek Festival hours are Saturday, 11 am – 8 pm and Sunday, 12 noon – 6 pm. There’s no party like a Greek party. Rain or Shine. Don’t miss it. www.galvestongreekfestival.com.
October 11th-12th (1-10pm): No Sleep Fest ‘19 – It’s that time of the year where fans gather together to enjoy music from all places and genres. This will be held at 1014 24th St, Galveston, and will feature An Author, A Poet, Fairwell, Godhand, NeoRomantics, No Home, Outlier, Rare Bloom, and With Crows. Day 2 will feature Ballista, Blood Between Us, Mocklove, Moon Phase, Set/Display, The Callous Daoboys, and Tooth & Nail. This is sponsored by The Tide Promotions. For all inquiries, contact theclinichtx@gmail.com. If you would like to be a part of this two day event, go to facebook.com/events/972704989594087. The No Sleep Fest features underground artists.
Moody Gardens is located at 1 Hope Blvd. in Galveston. For more info or tickets go to moodygardens.com.
Ghostly Gardens will be held October 12th, 19th and 26th at Moody Gardens and will embrace the Halloween spirit with lots of spooky fun. Get the fright night combo ticket for $19.95 per person which includes one movie at the Fright Night Film Fest, one showing of “Happy Family 4D” in the 4D Special FX Theater, admission into the Reef Rescue VR Experience, and admission into the Rainforest of Terror. Individual tickets for specific events are also available.
Fright Night Film Fest is guaranteed to get horror fans in the fright frame of mind on the largest screen in Texas and some tamer options for the youngsters as well.
Each night features three horror-movie titles that get progressively scarier as the evening goes on, from chilling to fearful to downright frightening. Concessions will be available along with special Halloween themed drinks for the ghoulish occasion. For the rated R movies those under 18 will not be admitted without accompanying parent or adult guardian. Individual movie tickets are $9.95. The Ghostly Gardens Film Fest is:
October 12th:
- 4:30pm: “Gremlins” (1984) – (PG) Chilling
- 6:30pm: “The Lost Boys” (1987) – (R) Fearful
- 8:30pm: “Creepshow” (1982) – (R) Downright Frightening
October 19th:
- 4:30pm: “Beetlejuice” (1988) – (PG) Chilling
- 6:30pm: “Twilight Zone: The Movie” (1983) – (PG) Fearful
- 8:30pm: “Friday the 13th (2009) – (R) Downright Frightening
October 26th:
- 4:30pm: “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986) – (PG-13) Chilling
- 6:30pm: “Poltergeist” (1982) – (PG) Fearful
- 8:30pm: “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2” (1985) – (R) Downright Frightening
In the 4D theater, “Happy Family 4D will show 4-9m. Individual movie tickets are $11.95.
Also as part of the Ghostly Gardens will be The Rainforest of Terror 4-9pm! Learn the Scary Truths Animals Face in the Wild at Rainforest of Terror. Explore the plights the animals there face from poaching to deforestation. Stay tuned for more details to come! Individual event tickets are $25.95.
Spooktacular Halloween October 26th will be held 2-4pm. Come to this free event that includes trick-or-treating at various locations throughout the property, crafts and more. There’s even a costume contest for guests in the Garden Lobby with prizes for the best costume. Registration for the costume contest is from 2-2:45pm. Contestants will be separated by age group.
For more info go to moodygardens.com/halloween.
The Island goes Greek for the 37th Annual Galveston Greek Festival, October 12 and 13, when the Greek Community hosts their annual party at 1824 Ball St.
What sets this event apart is that the food made on-site by parishioners, mostly who are professional chefs, or incredible cooks in their own right. Fresh ingredients are used in the centuries-old recipes much to the delight of all visitors. The Greek plate consists of pastitsio, meatballs, dolmades, olives, salad, cheese, and bread for $16. All other items sold ala carte include souvlaki, gyros, dolmades, meat and vegetarian, salad, olives and cheese, tyropita and spanakopita. Prices range from $4 to $8. A meal is not complete without a pastry or two and selections include baklava, kourambiedes, paximadia, koulourakia, and a few new pastries that will debut at the event. All foods and pastries are available to go.
A featured beverage is FIX beer, the Bud of Greece for generations, as well as Mythos Beer, that has won numerous awards for its flavor and remains a favorite of the European market. Served ice cold, both are sure to win the favor of those attending the Greek Festival. Greek wines have been paired to compliment the dishes being served.
Returning by popular demand is King of Bouzouki, Alex Kalos who will perform with his band throughout festival hours, and the Greek Dancers who will perform every two hours. Church tours will be led by Father Stelios Sitaras. Imported merchandise and food products from Greece will be available for purchase at the community gift shop and at vendor booths. An inside-outside event, the festival is rain or shine.
There is no admission to attend the festival, however, a small donation is appreciated and proceeds benefit the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Food and drink tickets sold in $2 increments. cash and credit cards are accepted, and an ATM is available.
Come for a visit and stay awhile. Greek Festival hours are Saturday, 11 am – 8 pm and Sunday, 12 noon – 6 pm. There’s no party like a Greek party. Rain or Shine. Don’t miss it. www.galvestongreekfestival.com.
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.
Moody Gardens is located at 1 Hope Blvd. in Galveston. For more info or tickets go to moodygardens.com.
Ghostly Gardens will be held October 12th, 19th and 26th at Moody Gardens and will embrace the Halloween spirit with lots of spooky fun. Get the fright night combo ticket for $19.95 per person which includes one movie at the Fright Night Film Fest, one showing of “Happy Family 4D” in the 4D Special FX Theater, admission into the Reef Rescue VR Experience, and admission into the Rainforest of Terror. Individual tickets for specific events are also available.
Fright Night Film Fest is guaranteed to get horror fans in the fright frame of mind on the largest screen in Texas and some tamer options for the youngsters as well.
Each night features three horror-movie titles that get progressively scarier as the evening goes on, from chilling to fearful to downright frightening. Concessions will be available along with special Halloween themed drinks for the ghoulish occasion. For the rated R movies those under 18 will not be admitted without accompanying parent or adult guardian. Individual movie tickets are $9.95. The Ghostly Gardens Film Fest is:
October 12th:
- 4:30pm: “Gremlins” (1984) – (PG) Chilling
- 6:30pm: “The Lost Boys” (1987) – (R) Fearful
- 8:30pm: “Creepshow” (1982) – (R) Downright Frightening
October 19th:
- 4:30pm: “Beetlejuice” (1988) – (PG) Chilling
- 6:30pm: “Twilight Zone: The Movie” (1983) – (PG) Fearful
- 8:30pm: “Friday the 13th (2009) – (R) Downright Frightening
October 26th:
- 4:30pm: “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986) – (PG-13) Chilling
- 6:30pm: “Poltergeist” (1982) – (PG) Fearful
- 8:30pm: “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2” (1985) – (R) Downright Frightening
In the 4D theater, “Happy Family 4D will show 4-9m. Individual movie tickets are $11.95.
Also as part of the Ghostly Gardens will be The Rainforest of Terror 4-9pm! Learn the Scary Truths Animals Face in the Wild at Rainforest of Terror. Explore the plights the animals there face from poaching to deforestation. Stay tuned for more details to come! Individual event tickets are $25.95.
Spooktacular Halloween October 26th will be held 2-4pm. Come to this free event that includes trick-or-treating at various locations throughout the property, crafts and more. There’s even a costume contest for guests in the Garden Lobby with prizes for the best costume. Registration for the costume contest is from 2-2:45pm. Contestants will be separated by age group.
For more info go to moodygardens.com/halloween.
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 25th-27th In Historic Downtown Galveston:
Galveston Island’s 38th Annual Island Oktoberfest
This year’s festival kicks off Friday evening, October 25th from 5-10pm, and continues Saturday, October 26th from 11am-10pm.
Galveston’s premier fall festival, the 38th Annual Island Oktoberfest, expands to include for the first time ever, a special Sunday morning German Polka Church service to be held outside under the big tent! The service will begin at 10am, and the 38th annual Island Oktoberfest will then conclude at 12 noon, following a Fellowship hour after the church service.
This fun, family weekend will feature continuous live entertainment on two stages, an expanded menu of authentic German food and libations, Cake Wheel, shopping for fine arts, crafts, and gifts in the historic 1860 Lyceum, a lively auction, more fun contests, beer and wine events, and fun, family children’s activities plus much more.
Island Oktoberfest will be held on the grounds of and streets adjacent to First Lutheran Church, 24th and Winnie in historic downtown Galveston. Admission is free.
German costumes encouraged. This year, festival-goers can look forward to more of everything … that is German!
Island Oktoberfest, hosted by First Evangelical Lutheran Church and co-sponsored by Del Papa Distributing Company, will open Friday evening with themed Bier Garten venues – featuring a variety of both German and domestic brews and a variety of German-style wines. Again this year, Oktoberfest will feature special beer and wine tasting events -paired with a delightful array of appetizers.
In addition to great music and dancing, there will be superb food including smoked sausage, bratwurst, knockwurst, and ‘Wurstabendessen’- a sausage dinner comprised of German-style and Polish-style Wurst with all the traditional German side dishes. This special German Dinner will be available both Friday evening and on Saturday.
For a sweet finale, homemade Helmut’s strudel (freshly baked on site) will be offered, in addition to a variety of tempting homemade desserts – specially prepared by congregation members from recipes handed down from generation to generation, and additional popular festival treats!
The historic and beautifully renovated circa 1860 Lyceum will again be open Friday evening and from 11am on Saturday, with vendors showcasing exceptional hand-crafted arts, crafts, and gift items for those festival-goers eager to get a head start on holiday shopping. Because Oktoberfest continues to be one of the vendors’ most enjoyable and popular venues, regular attendees can look forward to shopping at their long-time favorite booths – each featuring holiday and other special gift items.
Proceeds from Island Oktoberfest will benefit First Lutheran’s community outreach programs –including FeedGalveston and Fanfare! Lutheran Music Academy. For more information, visit galvestonoktoberfest.com, call (409)762-8477, or follow the event on Facebook at Island Oktoberfest.
