This Nonstop Beach Town in Texas Is Having the Summer You’ll Hear About All Year

When’s the last time you spent a holiday in one of Texas’ coastal towns?

Well, this summer, it’s time to change things up — Galveston is calling.

This summer, Galveston is hosting 4th of July celebrations, themed festivals, and packed weekends from June through September.

The summer will get busy before you know it. Let’s get Galveston on the calendar!

The 4th of July

Two hundred and fifty years of American independence is worth celebrating in style — and Galveston knows how to do it.

The town will have an Independence Day parade during the day, along the Seawall. The parade will include floats, marching bands, and representatives from several local organizations.

The holiday wraps up with a fireworks show over the Gulf, launching after sunset.

The best spots for watching fireworks are along Seawall Boulevard. If you can park your group on the beach for the fireworks show, that’s your ideal view.

The balconies of many of the hotels and restaurants that face the Gulf will make for great views, too. Up there, you can settle in comfortably, away from the crowds.

Arrive early, especially if you’re going to a hotel or restaurant. Make reservations before spots fill up!

You have a few options for parking for 4th of July events.

There’s paid parking along Seawall Boulevard, via mobile app or by phone.

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier has a parking lot where you can park your car. And neighborhoods by the beach have street parking.

If you decide to do street parking in a neighborhood, always check for any posted signs or restrictions. Better to be safe!

What’s there to do in Galveston on the 4th of July, besides fireworks, the parade, and dining?

Because of America’s 250th birthday this year, the Naked Iguana Brewery is hosting a 4th of July event. This brewery is located at 1828 Strand Street.

Best of all, the brewery is offering free hot dogs and cookies — and who’s going to say no to that?

That’s more than enough reason to get you and your friends out the door.

Note that these free hot dogs and cookies are served starting at noon. They’re only offering them until they run out, which may be faster than you think.

For adults, there are four limited-edition beer releases dropping exclusively for this 250th celebration. The brewery will make a big reveal on July 3rd for what these releases are going to be.

They’ll have live music to keep the holiday vibes going. Or if you love to shop, the brewery will have commemorative pint glasses and t-shirts. Get one before they’re all gone!

Let’s talk the timing of other 4th of July events on Galveston Island.

Here’s a hidden gem worth knowing about: the East End Lagoon Nature Outings.

There’ll be an outing from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, in Galveston.

These outings are held at the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve. It’s located on Boddeker Road in Galveston. It’s not too far from the water.

This isn’t your typical 4th of July activity. We’ve covered parades, fireworks, and free hot dogs.

Make this the year your family tries something different — holidays don’t have to follow the same script every time.

This guided nature walk is hosted by Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council staff members and volunteers. Remember to say thank you at the end of the guided walk!

You’ll take in the beauty and peaceful surroundings of the Preserve while discovering the plants and wildlife that call this ecosystem home.

Nature walks like this one are free, but don’t forget to register you and your group members. It’s required!

Pack the bug spray, water, sunscreen, first-aid kit, and closed-toe shoes. Just in case.

If you’re not sure you’ll be able to make a morning nature walk, don’t fret. It’s an ongoing series of events, so you won’t be missing your only shot at this experience.

They’re hosting nature walks at 9 a.m. on August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, and December 5 this year. Or if your summer schedule isn’t set in stone yet, register for a walk at 9 a.m. on May 9 or June 6.

Okay, are you ready? This one’s my favorite.

There are free sandcastle building lessons on Galveston Island at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on the 4th of July.

It’s a family-friendly event perfect for little ones who love the sand, and for parents and grandparents eager to impress with a creative design.

You’ll craft fabulous or formidable sandcastles with tips and guidance from a sandcastle-building expert.

These lessons will take place at 1923 Apffel Road in Galveston.

Like the Preserve’s nature walks, these sandcastle lessons are free and part of an ongoing series of events they host on the island.

Visitors to East Beach can join in on these “Sandcastle Days.” The lessons are held close to the water’s edge. Head over to the East Beach Pavilion. You don’t have to register either.

Upcoming dates include May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, and June 27. If you can’t catch it on the 4th of July, you’ll have an opportunity on July 11, July 18, July 25, September 5, or August 1, 8, 15, 22, or 29.

How about live music on the 4th of July?

Head over to Waterman’s Restaurant. It’s located at 14302 Stewart Road. They’re home to the Bare Necessity band on the 4th of July from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m. If you don’t think you’ll be able to catch them on the 4th of July, check them out on May 23 or September 5.

Themed Weekends, Festivals, and More!

Another fun thing to do in Galveston this summer is to catch the Galveston Island Revue Weekend.

Never heard of it? Let’s remedy that!

What makes it special is the inspiration: the golden days of seaside amusement.

Picture flappers and gents packing up trunks for a carefree trip to the shore — that’s the spirit this weekend brings back to life.

They’ll have live music, classic cars, and retro vendors.

Don’t miss the popular Bathing Beauties Contest, based on fashion styles from a bygone era.

It’s a weekend of old-fashioned fun, with parasols and more.

Mark your calendars for June 5-6. It’s expected to be a “swell time on the Texas shore.”

Where’d this theme come from? The Beach Revue’s history goes back to the 1920s, of course.

This Galveston beauty contest first started in the summer of 1920. Since then, it has become a kick-off event for the tourist season in Galveston every year. A tradition, with coastal style.

By the late 1920s, the contest had become so popular that legend has it the island’s visitors tripled during event weekend.

Some say these island pageants were the origin of what we now know as the Miss Universe Pageant.

The pageants took a break for several decades after 1932 but returned in 2009. Now, the event’s location is only a few feet from its original setting in the early 1920s.

The Bathing Beauties Contest is for vintage swimwear. Some contestants will have parasols to twirl and curls pinned up. What do they win?

They’ll win sashes (like in other pageants), big checks, and cash prizes.

The classic car show features everything from chrome-plated roadsters to rumble-seat cruisers. It’s a great chance to swap stories with fellow enthusiasts or simply stroll through the lineup with friends. The Revue will also have retro-themed photo ops.

They’ve got live music all weekend long.

There’ll be big band swing, rockin’ rockabilly, and more. There’s a dance floor, too, if you’d like to add some more fun to a packed holiday weekend.

One thing I like is that they’ll have vintage vendors and a market where you can shop.

If you’ve been looking for a cool-cat fedora, a brightly colored swing dress, or an accessory to add to an outfit that frankly needs it, stop by the market.

The Revue’s vintage market has vendors, both local and out-of-town, who’ll be happy to tell you about what they’ve got for sale.

The Revue will have photo opts that are retro-themed, too. They’re designed like you’ve just stepped off a boardwalk in the 1920s. In the backdrop are classic cars, mid-century beach props, and historic scenes or artifacts from the 1920s.

Another summer event on Galveston Island is World Ocean Day, on June 8. It’s all about reflecting on the ocean’s wonders and is packed with activities to let you do just that.

here are also Juneteenth Celebrations throughout the month of June, with events and activities honoring and carrying forward the holiday’s legacy.

At the tail end of the summer is the Galveston Island Wine Festival. This festival will take place September 4-6.

If you don’t yet have Labor Day weekend plans, you do now!

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with wines, bites, and waves, with a coastal trip.

Don’t let the summer slip away before you’ve made the most of it.

It’s easy to think about all the plans you’re going to make this summer, before it’s even started. There’s so much to do, eat, shop, and enjoy.

It goes by so fast, so be sure to get your must-have events on the calendar.

Better yet, bring your friends and family along — the more, the merrier in Galveston this summer.

Where: Galveston, Texas

Find them online at visitgalveston.com, follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest, and pull up directions on Google Maps before you head out — because summer on Galveston Island moves fast, and you’ll want to be ready.