Festivals, concerts, plays and more, there are lots of events in the area to keep your calendar booked.
Halloween Happenings
GHOST TOUR AND DINNER [Throughout October]
This October, Hotel Galvez & Spa invites guests to learn more about the paranormal during its annual ghost tour and dinner event. During the one-hour tour, the Hotel Galvez concierge will guide guests through the historic hotel’s ghostly past using popular ghost hunting tools to conduct a paranormal investigation. Guests will learn about the hotel’s “Ghost Bride” and other reported strange occurre

Photo by Robert Mihovil
nces. The tour begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a three-course dinner at Galvez Bar & Grill at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays and Thursdays in October, Hotel Galvez & Spa, 2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, 409.765-7721 or www.hotelgalvez.com
BOO ON THE BOARDWALK [Oct. 10-31]
Face your fears in the terrifying Dungeon of Doom Haunted House or the kids can enjoy the Little Boo Haunted Fun House. Other activities include pumpkin decorating, trick or treating and more.
Oct. 10-31, Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah
www.dungeonofdoomkemah.com
SAENGERFEST PARK MINI MONSTER BASH [Oct. 25]
The Saengerfest Park Mini Monster Bash is a free, family friendly Halloween carnival. Festivities include children’s costume contests for ages 0-11, assorted games with prizes, activities for all ages and trick or treating at various downtown businesses. Children compete for prizes for the scariest, cutest and most creative costumes. Other activities include arts and crafts, face painting and other games.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25, Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand, Galveston
www.galveston.com
GHOSTLY GARDENS [Oct. 26]
Moody Gardens has a special treat for kids this Halloween — and, no, it’s not a trick. The popular Galveston destination will provide free trick-or-treating, Creepy Crafts, face-painting and other fun activities for children and their families Oct. 26 at its annual Ghostly Gardens celebration. The event, to be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., will also include a kid’s costume contest for children 12 years old and younger. Prizes will be awarded to the participant with the best costume.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26, Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston
800.582.4673 or www.moodygardens.com
FRIENDS OF ROSENBERG LIBRARY BOOK SALE [Oct. 3-4]
Shop the wonderful selection of books for adults and children in all categories of fiction and nonfiction. Prices start at $1. All proceeds are donated to the library for purchase of new books, audio books, music CDs, DVDs and other circulating materials. There will be a Members Only Preview Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 3. Memberships are available at the entrance for admission: students, $10; individuals, $15; and families, $25. The general public sale is Oct. 4.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4, Rosenberg Library second floor, 2310 Sealy St., Galveston (use the 23rd Street entrance), www.rosenberg-library.org
YACHTOBERFEST
Head out to the Galveston Yacht Basin for boats, beers and bratwurst. The second annual YachtoberFest will feature live music from The Line Up, a cash bar and food by TopWater Grill.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 4, Galveston Yacht Basin, 715 N. Holiday Drive, Galveston, 409.765.3000 or www.galvestonyachtbasin.com
TWELVE PROJECT CONCERT SERIES [Oct. 3-4]
The TWELVE Project concert series continues with acoustic performances by Jamie Lin Wilson (Oct. 3) at the 1892 Bishop’s Palace and Waylon Payne & Little Joe Washington (Oct. 4) at Smooth Tony’s. The TWELVE Project is giving 12 Texas musicians the opportunity to turn their creativity to photographing life behind the mic as well as participate in a concert series that runs through December at various island venues.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 3 and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 4, Bishop’s Palace, 1402 Broadway, and Smooth Tony’s, 415 Ninth St., Galveston
www.twelvepeople.org
‘GREATER TUNA’ [Oct. 3-26]
Artistic Director Bennie Nipper says this is “Tuna” with a twist. Nipper is producing the popular play with an ensemble cast of men and women instead of the usual cast of only two men. She says the larger cast will greatly increase the fun of the show, which gives a glimpse into the lives of the upstanding citizens of Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas.
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Oct. 3-26, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 state Highway 3, Dickinson
281.337.7469 or www.harbourplayhouse.com
TEXAS BEER & WINE FESTIVAL [Oct. 4]
A propertywide celebration of Texas beer and wine with plenty of Texas-style live music.
Oct. 4, Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah
www.kemahbeerfest.com
MOVIE NITE ON THE STRAND [Oct. 4]
Bring a lawn chair to Saengerfest Park and watch a movie after dusk the first Saturday of each month. October’s showing is “Dracula,” (1931).
Oct. 4, Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand, Galveston, galveston.com
‘SKIPPYJON JONES’ [Oct. 9]
Based on the book by Judy Schachner, and recommended for audiences ages 4 and older, “Skippyjon Jones” is an enchanting musical about unleashing your powerful imagination and following your dreams.
10 a.m. Oct. 9, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
JANE LONG FESTIVAL [Oct. 11]
History, art and music come together for the fifth annual Jane Long Festival.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11, Fort Travis Seashore Park, near the ferry landing, Bolivar Peninsula, bolivarfoundation.com
ARTWALK [Oct. 11]
Stroll the streets of downtown Galveston and check out works by local artists and artisans in a wide variety of media.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 11, Galveston Arts Center and other galleries, 2501 Market St., Galveston, www.contemporaryartgalveston.org
MUSIC NITE ON THE STRAND [Oct. 11 & 25]
Don’t miss free live concerts in downtown Galveston’s Saengerfest Park with performances by the Blaggards (Oct. 11) and CSMDP (Oct. 25).
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 11 and 25, Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand, Galveston, www.galveston.com
STEVE SOLOMON’S CANNOLI, LATKES & GUILT! THE THERAPY CONTINUES … [Oct. 11]
Comedian and master dialectician Steve Solomon brings us another hilarious chapter in the life and times of his wacky multi-ethnic circle of family and friends. Steve portrays 20 of these delightfully offbeat characters in an evening made for laughter and fun.
8 p.m. Oct. 11, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
‘DRACULA’ [Oct. 17 to Nov. 2]
All the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel comes to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances — in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate.
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2,18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay, 281.335.5228 or clearcreekcommunitytheatre.com
‘SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE’ [Oct. 18-19]
The Grand will play host to a new national tour of the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history, “Smokey Joe’s Café.” The acclaimed musical revue showcases the songs of legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame composers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
8 p.m. Oct. 18 and 3 p.m. Oct. 19, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
OAK TREE FESTIVAL [Oct. 18-19]
Come enjoy a fun-filled day of art, live music and food. There will be a pie contest, costume contest, silent auction, pumpkin patch and haunted house.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 19, Butler Longhorn Museum, Coryell Street, League City, 281.332.1393 or
www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com
ARTOBERFEST [Oct. 18-19]
The 17th annual ARToberFEST will showcase the work of more than 125 quality artists and from throughout the state of Texas and surrounding areas. Media will include clay, drawings, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, pastels, paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, watercolor and wood.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19, 2200 Postoffice, Galveston, artoberfest.com
FALL FESTIVAL [Oct. 19]
Holy Family Catholic School’s annual Fall Festival offers something for everyone. There will be pony rides, moonwalks, a dunking booth, mechanical bull, petting zoo, a cake walk and games with prizes. Shrimp ’N Stuff will provide shrimp poboy dinners for $7. Sausage-on-a-stick, turkey legs, hot dogs and other great food also will be available. Bingo will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with prizes for every game. The silent auction will be open throughout the day.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19, Holy Family Catholic School, 2601 Ursuline, Galveston, 409.765.6607
ISLAND MARKET [Oct. 20]
From beautiful quilts to handmade soaps to photography to jewelry, the Galveston Island Market offers a festive outdoor event where local artisans, handcrafters and growers can showcase their creations for island residents and visitors.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20, Mechanic and 23rd streets, Galveston
www.galveston.com
THE BERENSTAIN BEARS LIVE [Oct. 23]
Appropriate for children in kindergarten through sixth grades, this live musical production is filled with fun songs and dancing while teaching important life lessons.
10 a.m. Oct. 23, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
‘THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD’ [Oct. 24]
Join internationally acclaimed Visible Fictions for a silly and unexpected take on Robin Hood. This lively production is suitable for children in grades three and up.
10 a.m. Oct. 24, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
OKTOBERFEST [Oct. 24-25]
Recognized as Galveston Island’s premier fall event, Oktoberfest is a family-friendly festival featuring continuous live entertainment, authentic German food and libations, German pastries, shopping venue for quality handcrafted gift items in The Lyceum, an exciting live auction and raffle, Cake Wheel, fun family activities presented by the Speaker’s Bureau of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a variety of children’s activities and so much more.
5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 24 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 25, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2415 Ave. G, Galveston, 409.762.8477 or www.galvestonoktoberfest.com
‘SISTER ACT’ [Oct. 25]
This “divine” Broadway musical comedy follows a street-smart, wannabe diva who hides out in a convent after witnessing a crime. While a “handful” to the Mother Superior, Deloris enchants her fellow sisters, helping them find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Oct. 25, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
VOCA PEOPLE [Oct. 26]
Quirky, playful, imaginative and fun, this eight-member ensemble (chicly dressed as intergalactic aliens) reproduces the sounds of an entire orchestra with an amazing variety of beat box vocals and a cappella singing.
3 p.m. Oct. 26, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com
‘WYRD SISTERS’ [Oct. 31 to Nov. 23]
When evil Duke Felmet kills good King Verence and names himself the new King of Lancre, Verence’s ghost haunts the castle while his young son is smuggled out of the kingdom and taken to a coven of three witches for protection. How could the witches possibly refrain from using their magic skills to meddle in royal politics, place the rightful heir on the throne, and set things right?
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Oct. 31 to Nov. 23, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 state Highway 3, Dickinson, 281.337.7469 or www.harbourplayhouse.com
‘THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW’ [Oct. 31 to Nov. 29]
Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” tells the story of a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, getting caught in a storm and seeking refuge at the home of madcap transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who unveils his latest creation — a muscle man named Rocky Horror. There they meet some of the strangest people on the planet. This production is not recommended for children.
8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 31 to Nov. 29; 2:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Island ETC, 2317 Mechanic, Galveston, 409.762.3556 or www.islandetc.org
In case of cancellations and changes to events, check with venues for updates. To submit an event, send pertinent information to calendar@coastmonthly.com.
Leave a Reply