October is one of the best months to spend a weekend on Galveston Island. From major festivals and art events to live entertainment, family activities and a full month of haunted history, Galveston events in October 2026 offer plenty of reasons to make time for the island.
Use this guide to plan your October weekends, whether you are heading downtown for a festival, spending an afternoon along the Seawall or making your way toward the West End.
October 2026 Galveston Events at a Glance
Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
October 1–31 | Various locations across Galveston | |
October 3 | Galveston Island, Tiki Island & the West End | |
October 3 | Marmo Plaza | |
October 3 | Galveston Railroad Museum | |
October 6–30 | Daiquiri Time Out | |
October 10–11 | 714 19th Street | |
October 10 | Downtown Galveston | |
October 10 | Historic Downtown Galveston | |
October 16 | The Chandlery Candle Bar | |
October 17–18 | Postoffice Street, 20th to 23rd Streets | |
October 17 | Galveston Railroad Museum, 2602 Santa Fe Place | |
October 23–24 | First Lutheran Church, 2415 Winnie Street | |
October 24 | Historic Downtown Galveston | |
October 31 | 8522 Teichman Road | |
October 31 | Downtown Galveston | |
October 31 | Saengerfest Park | |
October 31 | Daiquiri Time Out |
October 1–31: Ghostly Galveston & Haunted Season
Galveston's historic homes, harbor and centuries of island stories take on a different character in October. Visit Galveston lists October 1 through 31 as Haunted Season, with ghost tours, paranormal experiences and Halloween events happening throughout the month.
One confirmed option is the Haunted Harbor Tour aboard the SEAGULL II. Galveston Historical Foundation guides lead guests through historically researched stories surrounding the island's waters during one-hour tours departing from Pier 22 every Saturday in October, with tours from 4 to 5 PM and 5 to 6 PM.
Explore Galveston's Haunted Season
October 3: Galveston Open House Expo
Start the month by exploring Galveston real estate during the Nan & Company Properties Galveston Open House Expo on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Homes will be open across the island, from Tiki Island to the West End, giving buyers and second-home shoppers an opportunity to visit multiple properties in one day.
The lineup also includes Tiara on the Beach from 1 to 3 PM. Plan your route ahead of time, tour several homes and make a full Saturday of exploring different parts of the island.
October 3: Da Vinci Day at Marmo Plaza
Families can spend Saturday experimenting, building and creating during Da Vinci Day at Marmo Plaza, 2121 Market Street. The free event runs from 10 AM to 3 PM and features hands-on maker stations, engineering experiments, inventor-inspired challenges and creative activities.
October 3: Rail Baron's Ball at the Galveston Railroad Museum
The Galveston Railroad Museum hosts its 5th Annual Rail Baron's Ball beginning at 7 PM on Saturday, October 3. The 2026 Soul Train-themed fundraiser includes a gala reception, seated dinner, live entertainment, dancing and silent and live auctions.
October 6–30: Black Lagoon Pop-Up Bar
Halloween arrives early downtown when Black Lagoon takes over Daiquiri Time Out at 2701 Market Street. The immersive Halloween cocktail pop-up runs daily from October 6 through October 30 with themed drinks and a gothic undersea setting.
Black Lagoon Pop-Up Bar Details
October 10–11: Galveston Island Greek Festival
The 42nd Annual Galveston Island Greek Festival returns to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church at 714 19th Street on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11. Festival hours are 11 AM to 6 PM Saturday and noon to 5 PM Sunday, and admission is free.
The weekend celebrates Hellenic culture with Greek food and pastries, wine and beer, music, dancing, vendors, gifts and tours of the church. It is an easy addition to a weekend spent exploring historic downtown Galveston.
Galveston Island Greek Festival Details
October 10: WALKtoberFEST
Explore downtown on foot during WALKtoberFEST, a walking poker run beginning at The Naked Iguana at 1828 The Strand. Day-of registration begins at 11 AM, with participants visiting locations throughout downtown while collecting poker chips and taking part in games along the route.
October 10: Galveston ArtWalk
Spend Saturday evening exploring Galveston's creative side during Galveston ArtWalk from 6 to 9 PM. The free, self-guided event brings galleries, studios, museums and creative spaces throughout Historic Downtown Galveston together for an evening of exhibitions and local art.
October 16: Candles & Ghosts
Combine a creative workshop with Galveston's haunted history during Candles & Ghosts on Friday, October 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The evening begins at The Chandlery Candle Bar, 2217 The Strand, with candle making before guests head outside for a guided historic ghost walk.
October 17–18: ARToberFEST Galveston
ARToberFEST brings more than 120 artists to Galveston's Historic Downtown Cultural Arts District on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18. The juried fine art festival stretches along Postoffice Street between 20th and 23rd Streets, surrounded by the historic architecture of downtown Galveston.
Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday and 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, with the weekend featuring original art, artist demonstrations, live music, food and hands-on activities.
October 17: CabooseFest at the Galveston Railroad Museum
The Galveston Railroad Museum at 2602 Santa Fe Place celebrates fall with CabooseFest: Hootenanny & Hayrides on Saturday, October 17 from 10 AM to 5 PM. The event features caboose hayrides, a pumpkin patch, marketplace vendors, games, contests, live entertainment and food.
Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for children 12 and under and museum members, and free for military guests. Parking is $5. Caboose hayrides operate from 11 AM to 3:40 PM and require a separate $10 ticket.
October 23–24: Island Oktoberfest
Island Oktoberfest returns to the grounds and streets surrounding First Lutheran Church at 2415 Winnie Street in historic downtown Galveston on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. Admission is free, with festivities running from 5 to 10 PM Friday and 11 AM to 10 PM Saturday.
The longstanding Galveston tradition features German food and drinks, continuous live entertainment on two stages, arts and crafts, games, contests and children's activities. Friday begins with the ceremonial tapping of the keg at 5 PM.
October 24: Mystical Parade of Boo
Halloween festivities roll through historic downtown during the 3rd Annual Mystical Parade of Boo on Saturday, October 24 from 6:30 to 8 PM. Costumed characters, music and decorated floats travel from Market Street at 28th Street through downtown before the route finishes at Strand and 25th Street.
Mystical Parade of Boo Details
October 31: Halloween & Día de los Muertos in Galveston
Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, giving visitors several events to choose from throughout the day. From a morning run to downtown family activities, Día de los Muertos celebrations and Halloween-night entertainment, the final Saturday of October is one of the busiest weekends on the island.
Galveston Daily News Press Run
The 15th Annual Galveston Daily News Press Run takes place Saturday, October 31 and supports the Newspapers In Education program. Race-day activities are based at 8522 Teichman Road, with certified 5K and 10K courses across the Galveston Causeway, plus a Kids 1K, book character costume contest, vendor booths, music and food.
Galveston Daily News Press Run Details
6th Annual Día de los Muertos Parade & Fiesta
Galveston's Día de los Muertos celebration returns downtown on Saturday, October 31. Festivities begin with a Line-Up Social at 10 AM, followed by the parade at noon. The route begins at 25th and Ball, heads toward The Strand, travels east to 21st Street, continues to 21st and Winnie, and ends at the Fiesta Grounds at 21st and Ball.
The fiesta continues from 1 to 9 PM with live music, food, arts and crafts vendors, ballet folklórico, traditional Azteca dancers, an altar and offerings.
Día de los Muertos Parade & Fiesta Details
Island BooFest
Families can continue Halloween downtown at the 5th Annual Island BooFest from 4 to 6 PM at Saengerfest Park. The free event features a golf cart trunk-or-treat, costumes, candy, music and family-friendly activities.
Black Lagoon Halloween Bash
Daiquiri Time Out keeps the Halloween celebration going on Saturday, October 31 with the Black Lagoon Halloween Bash at 2701 Market Street. The event begins at 4 PM and features five live bands, a DJ, vendors, a costume contest, food and cocktail specials, with live music beginning at 6:30 PM.
Admission information and age requirements have not been published, so guests should check the event page for the latest details before attending.
Black Lagoon Halloween Bash Details
Make a Weekend of It in Galveston
With something happening nearly every weekend, October makes it easy to build a visit around different parts of Galveston Island. Pair a downtown festival with time exploring The Strand and Postoffice Street, head toward the Seawall for a walk along the Gulf, or leave room in the afternoon for the beaches and neighborhoods of the West End.
If you are visiting for one of the major festival weekends, consider arriving early and giving yourself time beyond the event itself. Part of the appeal of an October weekend in Galveston is being able to experience the historic city, waterfront and beach at your own pace.
Explore Galveston Island Real Estate
If October on the island has you thinking about a place of your own, the Nan & Company Properties Galveston team can help you explore homes, second-home opportunities and communities across Galveston Island. Explore Galveston real estate with Nan & Company Properties.
