Galveston.com Holiday Preview

Winter is fast approaching, and with it comes a host of family-friendly events throughout November and December on Galveston Island. Whether you're planning on only visiting Galveston Island for the day or you plan to make this your weekend getaway, there's a list of fun and exciting things to do.

November

The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future are coming to Moody Gardens to kick off the holiday season in Galveston. An IMAX 3D experience, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, will run on the biggest screen in the Houston area November 6th thru January 8th. Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, the holiday film captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3D motion picture event.

Also running on the big IMAX 3D screen November 6th thru January 8th is The Light Before Christmas. This stunning stop-motion animated film fills the giant screen with lavishly detailed sets and characters inspired by the fascinating designs of renowned artist James C. Christensen, while the musical score hearkens back to many beloved Christmas classics.

Also at Moody Gardens during November and December, the Ridefilm Theater will feature Santa's Late! The Ride. It's almost midnight and Santa is nowhere to be found! Will Santa make it in time for Christmas? Come experience this Christmas adventure and find out! And also in the 4D Special FX Theater, you won't wanna miss Polar Express 4D. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Festive sights and sounds will once again fill the air at Moody Gardens during the Festival of Lights November 14th through January 2nd. As one of the largest holiday celebrations on the Gulf Coast, the annual event receives over 85,000 visitors, many of whom have made the festival their own holiday tradition.

In addition to over 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays and nightly live entertainment, visitors can strap on a pair of skates and glide across the ice at the area’s only Outdoor Ice Skating Rink. The brand new rink features the beautiful scenery of the Offatts Bayou.

The eleventh annual Seaside Treasure Festival will be held on Friday (1-7pm) and Saturday (9am-4pm), November 20th and 21st. Seaside features over 100 arts and crafts vendors, a fabulous lunch in the Seaside Cafe, a wonderful silent auction, and much more. Join the fun at Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, 53rd and Avenue U, Galveston, TX, just two blocks off the seawall.

Hilton Galveston Island has much to be thankful for this year, and is sharing the spirit with guests from all over offering its traditional Thanksgiving Buffet, Thursday, November 26th 11am-2pm in the Palm Court.

The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center is pulling out all the stops to share the spirit of the holiday with island residents and their families and friends for its annual Thanksgiving brunch, Thursday, November 26th. Reservations are available for 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.

Christmas just got a whole lot funnier! A Broadway Christmas Carol is a delicious cross between the classic Dickens tale of the redeemed miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, and uproarious song parodies of your favorite Broadway show tunes. This irreverent and boisterous alternative to traditional holiday fare will leave you rolling in the aisle and begging for more! Don't miss this hilarious holiday presentation November 27th thru December 19th at island e.t.c. at The Strand Theatre, 2317 Mechanic.

Every year Moody Mansion is decorated for Christmas as we remember Mary Moody Northen’s affection for this holiday. Historic ornaments and lights are added to trees all over the first floor. The largest tree, placed in the ballroom, is covered with her personal collection of ornaments which date from the early 1900’s into the 1980’s. Don't miss the wondrous display, November 27th thru January 6th.

Hotel Galvez will host its second annual Holiday Lighting Celebration on Friday, November 27th from 6 to 8pm. This celebration will feature a special visit by Santa Claus, holiday entertainment by Brenham Children’s Chorus, Bayou City Pipes and Drums, Galveston Ballet and Galveston College Choir, holiday greetings by Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, and a special appearance by Queen Victoria to invite guests to the upcoming Dickens on The Strand.

Santa's sleigh will touch down in downtown Galveston Saturday, November 28th, during Santa by The Sea. Kids are invited to visit with 'ole Saint Nick from 2:30pm to 6:30pm, in the Tremont Ballroom Lobby in the Davidson Building, just across from The Tremont House. Immediately after, head over to Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand, at 7pm for the annual Strand Christmas Tree Lighting.

That same evening, November 28th, is a very special, holiday-inspired ArtWalk. For over twenty years, the Galveston Arts Center has produced ArtWalk on Saturday nights in the heart of the historic district. Now spreading to other parts of the island, ArtWalk occurs approximately every six weeks in existing commercial galleries, non-profit arts spaces, restaurants and retail shops. One of the Galveston Arts Center's largest programs, ArtWalk promotes visual art and artists, offers alternative places to see and learn about art, and welcomes visitors to the island's flourishing art community.

December

Galveston’s East End Historical District Association will host A Victorian Christmas Homes Tour on Friday, December 4th. The architecture of the East End reflects some of the city’s most notable examples of residential Victorian architecture, a variety of styles and periods with the earliest being examples of Greek Revival style built during the 1850’s. This year’s tour will feature five East End homes decorated for the Christmas season. The event will be held from 6pm to 9:30pm.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Be it decreed that all lords, ladies and children shall come and celebrate the 36th Annual Dickens on The Strand, December 5th & 6th, where bobbies, Beefeaters and the Queen herself will be on hand to recreate the Victorian London of Charles Dickens. Characters from Dickens novels walk the street. Food and entertainment fill the area with sights and smells that take you back to another era. For a complete listing of Dickens events, click to galveston.com/dickensevents. To purchase discounted tickets in advance, click here, or call (888) 305-7627.

Santa Claus will make special appearances at the Hotel Galvez Sunday Brunch with Santa on December 6th, December 13th, and December 20th, where guests are invited to have their pictures taken with Santa. During the month of December, the hotel's live entertainment will take on a holiday theme on Sundays from 11am to 2pm.

An annual holiday favorite, The Nutcracker will delight audiences of all ages with this music and dance spectacular. Based on the story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" written by E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker tells the story of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, a Sugar Plum Fairy and a fierce battle against a Mouse King. Enjoy this full length production of the holiday classic staged by Frederic Franklin and performed by City Ballet of Houston. At The Grand 1894 Opera House, 202- Postoffice Street, December 12th at 2:30pm and 8pm; and December 13th at 2:30pm.

This holiday season, Moody Gardens will come to life with the magical sights and sounds of the season. Moody Gardens and Island Star Performances are proud to announce the return of The Gift of Christmas Live. The show will begin on December 17th and run through December 27th. To purchase tickets, click here, or call (409)683-4186.

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island’s Heated Indoor Season features a dozen heated attractions with steaming waters in a tropical oasis. The attraction is open Saturdays and Sundays throughout November and December. It is also open the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27th), Monday thru Wednesday of Christmas Week (December 21st thru December 23rd); and Monday thru Thursday, December 28th thru December 31st. For further details, click to galveston.com/schlitterbahnwaterpark.

New Year's Eve, there are a number of special events that will help you ring in the new year in a most magical way!

Ring in 2010 at one of Galveston’s premier extravaganzas hosted by The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center, Thursday, December 31st, 8pm to 1am, in the resort’s Grand Ballroom. Also, Moody Gardens will host an unforgettable New Year’s Eve gala this year, "Midnight in the Gardens: a Fabulous Affair." The party will be from 7:30pm to 1:30pm in Expo AB of Moody Gardens Convention Center.

To Find Out More...

These are only a few of the hundreds of holiday events occurring on beautiful Galveston Island November thru December. For more information, please contact the Galveston CVB at (888)GAL-ISLE. To book lodging online, click here, or call toll-free (888)939-8680. When you book lodging via Galveston.com, you'll immediately receive hundreds of dollars worth of money-saving coupons to use during your stay.

About Galveston.com & Company...

Galveston.com & Company, Inc. is a destination marketing corporation based in Galveston, Texas. The company specializes in destination portals, as well as online lodging, cruise, parking, and transfer reservations via its proprietary DestinationNext_^TM reservation module. For more information, contact Galveston.com & Company at via phone (409)763-8676 or email at websites@galveston.com.

Add Your Comments...