Gulf Coast Concierge

 Lone Star Rally

Get ready to rally! This long weekend event has something for everyone! If you’re looking for anything from concerts to vendors to bike shows, they have you covered. Expect crowds, loud music, and a great time!

November 10

The Great Dolphin Beer Rescue Version 2.0
Hosted by the Galveston Island Brewery and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

After a successful inaugural event last year, Version 2.0 is not to be missed! This family-friendly brewery will host an afternoon of fun with music, pizza, raffles, and award-winning craft beer.

November 17- January 6

 Moody Gardens Festival of Lights & Ice Land

Months and months of preparation have gone into setting up the lights and carving of 2 million pounds of ice! Artists were flown in from around the world to bring the theme, Pole to Pole, to life.

November 23- November 24

Home for the Holidays Gift Market at Moody Gardens Convention Center

Looking for unique gifts and not a fan of Black Friday? This is for you! Featuring over 100 vendors from around Houston, you are sure to find something for everyone on the list! After the market, walk on over to see the Festival of Lights and Ice Land.

November 24

Art Walk

Join the locals in downtown Galveston from 6-9pm for an evening of art and live music! This free event features local artists setting up their work along the streets and in galleries. Stroll along Post Office Street with free wine tastings and take it all in!

November 30- December 2

Dickens on the Strand

Experience Christmas Victorian Style! This 19th-century event features a weekend full of fun with parades and live entertainment on 5 stages. Walk the streets surrounded by strolling carolers, jugglers, and costumed vendors selling holiday drinks and snacks. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in more Galveston history and culture, check out our Historical Foundation Attractions Pass!

Schlitterbahn Indoor Season

If you are like us and love Schlitterbahn, but hate the summer crowds, now is your time to shine!

It’s the Fall Indoor Season at Schlitterbahn. This only means two things: hello heated water, goodbye long lines!

Nothing beats a relaxing day with the family filled with wave rivers and water slides at the world’s best water park! Seriously though, the park has been awarded this title for the past 8 years. If it wasn’t exactly on your bucket list, it needs to be.

Starting October 20 through December 30, visit the indoor park every weekend and some holidays! Scroll on down to see the exact schedule and times.

Buy your discounted Schlitterbahn Tickets here or stop on by to our office on 6702 Stewart Road to get your tickets in person!

Step aside Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Gulf Coast Concierge is here to redefine what Fall means to you.

If you already know that Schlitterbahn Galveston is a must, but don’t have a place to stay? Be sure to check out Ryson Vacation Rentals for tons of great Galveston Beach Rental options!

Sweet Summertime in Galveston

Summer is finally here! Are you ready to get on Island Time? Check out upcoming Galveston events that are not to be missed.

Weekly Happenings

Sundays

• Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market (Check it out year-round!)
  Join us every Sunday at Bryan Museum (1315 21st Street) for family activities, live music & a market! Featuring local vendors, you will find everything from honey to coffee to meat. Right now we’re loving the delicious salsa & bagels! During the summer, the market is 9am- noon.
• Stay & Play Fireworks (6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2)
  Set up at the Jetty on 37th Street & Seawall Boulevard, these fireworks run all summer until September 2nd. Fireworks start at 9pm and go until around 9:30. If you’re feeling wild and craving s’mores, follow up the fireworks with a bonfire on the beach!

Tuesdays

• Galveston Beach Band Concert (6/19, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/24)
  This year celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the legendary Summer Pop Band Concerts. Located at Moody Northern Plaza (24th Street & Sealy), this free concert starts at 7:30pm. Lead by Frank Incaprera Jr, Galveston Beach Band features jazz, show tunes, and big band numbers. Make sure to participate in the Children’s Parade held every week at the concert!

Thursdays

• Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market (Check it out year-round!)
  Go to this market for a more intimate version of the Sunday Farmer’s Market. There are always fun activities for kids, but there is not a yoga session on Thursdays. Great for mixing and mingling with the locals! The market goes from 3- 6 in the afternoon.

Fridays

• Bands on the Sand (6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10)
  Join Palm Beach at Moody Gardens every Friday and Saturday from 6pm- 10pm for live music & fireworks! Float the lazy river or hang out on the white sand beach to enjoy the evening. Each night features a different band. With all types of music throughout the summer, you’re sure to find one you love! Admission is $15 per person. This is the perfect way to end a day Moody Gardens! We have you covered with discounted tickets.

Saturdays

• Sandcastle Building Lessons (6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/27, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18)
  Let your sandcastle dreams run wild at Stewart Beach (201 Seawall Boulevard) on Saturdays! The fun starts at 8am with a professional sandcastle builder working their magic creating a castle until 11am. Lessons are held at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Limited equipment is available so it is recommended that you bring your own sandcastle bucket and shovel. Lessons are free after you pay the Stewart Beach admission. If you’re spending your day here in the sun, don’t miss out on our Beach Package that will ensure you shade and cold drinks!
• Bands on the Sand (6/16, 6/23, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/27, 8/4, 8/11)
  Bands on the Sand is the same on both Friday and Saturday nights with live music and fireworks. Want to go Friday and Saturday? No worries, the music will be different! What won’t be different are our ticket prices!

Individual Happenings

June

• June 16         ESPN 97.5 & Yahoo Sports Radio Super Fun Fest
  Starting promptly at 9am in East Beach, this beach volleyball tournament calls for a day of fun! Hosted by the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association, coed doubles, coed recreational and junior teams will be participating. Load up on your sunscreen and be prepared for a day in the sun! Don’t worry, we have canopies that will keep you out of the sun.
• June 16         Galveston Island Brewery Celebrate their 4th Anniversary!
  Galveston Island Brewery will be hosting their celebration from noon- 8pm. Known as a family friendly brewery, GIB features a playground for children. Live entertainment along with new specialty beer releases & local food make this the place to be. Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream, Maceo Spice & Import Company along with the lovable food truck, Jenny from the Block, will be serving it up! Stick around until 9:30 to view the Moody Gardens fireworks!

July

• July 4             179th City of Galveston Independence Day Celebration
  You won’t want to miss this parade and firework extravaganza for 4th of July! The parade procession begins at 7:30pm on Seawall Boulevard starting at 59th Street and finishing at 25th Street. This is a busy event so we suggest arriving early to get your spot. Following the parade at 9:15, a firework show will take place at the 37th Street jetty! Not a fan of just sitting on the sand? Have your chairs delivered to your rental before the event!
• July 7             Movie Nite on the Strand
  Grab your snacks and blankets to enjoy a movie night at Saengerfest Park (2300 Strand Street). The free event starts at 7:45pm and will be showing “It’s A Wonderful Life”. So round up your family and head on out! Start your morning with a Dolphin Tour leaving from Pier 21 followed by exploring the downtown area and finish it off with a movie.
• July 14           ArtWalk
  As a classic Galveston event,  ArtWalk has been happening for over 25 years. If you want a true island experience, head on over to the Downtown Historic District for an evening of art galleries, shopping, wine, & live music. This event goes from 6pm-9pm and mostly takes place on Post Office Street.
• July 14             Music Nite on the Strand
  Join Campfire Soul (Blues, Rock) at Saengerfest Park (2300 Strand Street) for a night of fun and dancing! Music starts at 6pm and lasts until 9pm.
• July 20-22     Galveston Cajun Festival
  Hosted at Beach Central Park (2102 Seawall Blvd), this event highlights the best of Texas & Louisiana- style food, fun, and live entertainment! Adults- $6, Children 10 & under are free!

Don’t forget Schlitterbahn is hopping with their summer season right now. We have your tickets and coolers for cold drinks and snacks!

For more information, email us at info@gulfcoastconcierge.com or call us at 409-740-1600.

5 Free Things To Do In Galveston

With 32 miles of coastline and a rich history, Galveston Island has something for everyone’s budget. More than just a beach town, Galveston is becoming a go-to year round with events happening every season. Luckily, Gulf Coast Concierge is here to help you find the perfect Galveston activity for your time down here! Here are some free Galveston activities that are a must!

Take a drive, participate in an e-bike tour, or rent a surrey to take a self-guided tour around the Tree Sculptures. Located around the Historic District, these 36 sculptures were created after Hurricane Ike with the damaged trees. Everything from mermaids to a geisha. Don’t miss the childhood house of the Director of the Wizard of Oz marked by the Tin Man & Toto sculpture.

Explore the Historic Strand District. Being in close proximity to the cruise terminal and home to numerous annual festivals, this is the perfect street for some shopping, local culture, and beautiful architecture. Stop at Saengerfest Park to play a game of larger-than-life chess. From March to October, outdoor movies and live music can also be found at this mini park. Be sure to go a little further down Strand Street to watch the legendary Taffy Pull at La King’s Confectionary. To cool off, get some Purity Ice Cream which is the oldest ice cream in Texas! Made locally at La King’s, it was founded in 1889 in Galveston.

Take the ferry to Bolivar Peninsula. The Bolivar Ferry is a must for dolphin lovers! On , you will catch dolphins swimming alongside the boat or playing out in the open water. This free ferry leaves about every 30 minutes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Use caution in summer as the wait times can be extremely long. While in Bolivar, see the Point Bolivar Lighthouse that guided ships into the port until 1933. Bolivar is also known for its population of migratory birds.

Take a stroll down Seawall Boulevard. The ten mile seawall is the nation’s longest continuous sidewalk and was built after the worst tragedy in U.S. History, the 1900 Hurricane, to protect Galveston from harsh storms. Along the way, you will see the Historic Pleasure Pier and the old location of the Balinese Room before it was destroyed. The seawall is also home to well-known bars and restaurants with spectacular views!

Learn a short history of Galveston at the Rosenberg Library. Founded in 18741 as the Galveston Merchantile Library, this is the oldest public library in Texas that is still in continuous operation. Not only is the building beautiful, but it also has a small museum featuring collectibles related to early Galveston and Texas. Located on the fourth floor, it is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am to 6pm.

If you’re looking for other activities, check out our different experiences. Here at Gulf Coast Concierge, we are here to help plan your vacations providing everything from good ol’ fashioned advice to massages to charters!

Next time you’re in Galveston, be sure to get the best of your time down here by staying in a Galveston, TX Beach House! Ryson Vacation Rentals offers properties for every budget & group size.