Victorian London takes over the Strand, the Polar Express leaves from the 1932 station, and Moody Gardens has ice sculptures and two million lights. On the first weekend of December all three run at once.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change what we recommend. How we make money
Dickens and the Polar Express (at the Railroad Museum) are both downtown, a short walk apart. Moody Gardens is about 6 miles west, by car. One weekend can hold all three: a booked Polar Express departure, Dickens on Saturday during the day, and an evening at Moody Gardens on the Holiday Pass from 4 pm.
DatesDec 31WhereMoody Gardens; The San Luis and Grand Galvez are also listedCostPackages and parties
December 4 to 6
Dickens on The Strand
For the 53rd time, the Galveston Historical Foundation turns the Strand into 19th-century London. There are parades and four stages, vendors in costume sell food, drink and gifts, and characters roam the streets. Friday evening costs nothing.
Some events need their own ticket: afternoon tea at the Bishop's Palace ($50), an English breakfast at Ashton Villa ($75) and handbell concerts at St. Joseph's Church ($25).
Costume weapons and props must be secured, and they get an extra security check at the entrance. If you need help with access or other arrangements, call the Galveston Historical Foundation at 409-765-7834 before your visit.
$20 for adults, $13 for ages 7 to 12, free for 6 and under. On November 20 prices go up $5
In costume
Come in Victorian costume and pay half price at the gate
VIP
Entry on both days for $100 (adults) or $40 (youth)
Not allowed
Leave pets, ice chests, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, skates and Segways at home
Weather
It goes ahead in rain, and tickets aren't refundable
November 21 to January 2
Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
This year ICE LAND has a Caribbean Christmas theme, and there's a mile of lights over the bay, ice skating and holiday films. Prices depend on the date and your age. "Value Nights" are the cheapest: Sunday to Thursday from November 30 to December 17. Parking is free during the festival. Look at the daily hours before you go.
Price: From $55 for ages 13–64; ages 4–12 and 65+ pay less
What's included: Valid after 4 pm for ICE LAND, the Holiday Lights Trail, the Aquarium Pyramid, one 3D and one 4D film, four Arctic Slide rides (36 in and taller), one Kiddie Train ride (48 in and under) and the skating rink (skates extra)
Holiday Lights Trail
PriceFrom $24What's includedA one-mile trail lit by more than two million lights, and the skating rink. It opens at dusk, around 6 pm
ICE LAND only
Price$35 ages 13–64; $29 ages 4–12 and 65+What's includedA timed visit to the ice sculptures, kept at around 9 degrees. You get a parka, but wear warm clothes, a hat and gloves
Outside food and drink aren't allowed, and only service animals, apart from special dog theme nights. Skates cost extra. Source: Moody Gardens and its holiday FAQ.
November 13 to December 23
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
The 60-minute round trip leaves from the 1932 Union Depot at the Galveston Railroad Museum. On board someone reads the story aloud, you get hot chocolate and a cookie, and Santa hands out the first gift of Christmas. Come in pajamas if you like.
Plan on about two hours in all. The museum suggests arriving an hour before departure for the activities in the depot, and final boarding is 10 minutes before. You pay extra for event parking. December 15 has sensory-friendly rides. Dates, classes and tips.
The old Santa Fe Union Station, now the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Polar Express departure point.Galveston Railroad Museum, 25th & Strand · Photo: Jim Evans / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0November 28 and December 12
Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
The city lights its Christmas tree on Saturday, November 28, from 5 to 8 pm in Saengerfest Park on the Strand. The Christmas Parade follows on December 12, 2026.
The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council runs birding trips to see the sandhill cranes that spend the winter on the island. Examples are a one-hour Dawn Patrol on a private West End preserve ($50) and Coffee & Cranes with a self-drive Crane Crawl ($45). You register for every trip, you must be at least 10, and under-18s come with a parent or guardian. For some trips you drive your own car; others include a bus. Clay Cup Studios takes bookings for two craft evenings on December 11 and 12. Program and registration · Where to see the cranes.
Runners in Santa hats race a 5K, a 10K or a half marathon along the Seawall from Beach Central, 2102 Seawall Blvd. The Kids Dash (up to age 12) starts at 7:30 am, the half marathon at 8 and the 10K and 5K at 8:15. Until December 13 entry costs $64.99 for the 5K, $79.99 for the 10K, $109.99 for the half and $29.99 for the Kids Dash, and more on race day. Roads near Beach Central close that morning and traffic builds; park in the Beach Central garage or on the north side of the Seawall. Register.
At Moody Gardens, the New Year's Palooza package (December 30 to January 1) gives families a night in the hotel, a family fun zone, day passes to the pyramids, the Holiday Lights and A Very Electric Christmas. Adults can go to a 21+ party with Radio Live, hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets, and Shearn's serves a New Year's Eve dinner. The San Luis Resort and the Grand Galvez host celebrations too.
Lightwire Theater's one-hour glow-in-the-dark show plays at Moody Gardens from December 19 to January 2, at 4 pm and 7:30 pm, except December 21. Adults pay $39 to $59 and children 3 to 12 pay $25 to $45, and each ticket includes one visit to the Holiday Lights Trail. The Holiday Pass doesn't cover the show. Downtown, The Grand 1894 Opera House puts on Dickens' A Christmas Carol on December 4 at 8 pm.
Here for Christmas itself? Dickens ends on December 6 and the Polar Express on December 23, but Moody Gardens keeps the season going: holiday buffets, a Christmas Day brunch, a four-course dinner at Shearn's, or a ready-to-heat Christmas meal for four for $75 if you'd rather eat in. The lights and ICE LAND run until January 2; check the hours for December 24 and 25 before you go, and book your Christmas table in advance.
Stay at Moody Gardens Hotel and you walk to the light show. For Dickens, a downtown hotel means you don't have to look for parking. More choices are in where to stay in Galveston.
Next to Holiday in the Gardens
Photo: Expedia
Moody Gardens, by the pyramids
Moody Gardens Hotel
Walk from your room to the Aquarium and Rainforest pyramids, then cool off at the swim-up bar or in the indoor pool. The pick for families who came for Moody Gardens.
Where
1 Hope Blvd, on Offatts Bayou, away from the Gulf beach
Parking
The resort fee covers self-parking. Covered parking $30, valet $40
Pets
Two dogs per room, each up to 30 lb. One-time fee of $125 + tax
Breakfast
Costs extra
Pool
An outdoor pool with a swim-up bar and an indoor lap pool
Rooms
Rooms have two queens, or a king and a sofa bed. There are also junior suites and suites
Also
Resort fee of $20 + tax a night. Spa. Check-in 4 pm, check-out 12 pm
Before you book: Palm Beach, the water park next door, stays closed until summer 2027.
Good for
Kids who want the pyramids and a pool
Rainy days, with attractions under glass next door
Skip if
You want to walk straight onto the Gulf beach
You want Palm Beach outside summer: it stays closed until summer 2027
Stay here if you came for Dickens: the festival streets start at the front door, so you can drop the shopping bags in your room and come back out in the evening. There's no pool, but the hotel has a rooftop bar over downtown.
Where
2300 Ship Mechanic Street in the Strand district. The rail trolley stops at Strand and 23rd Street
Parking
Valet $36 a night + tax
Pets
Up to 40 lb, $100 fee, not refundable
Breakfast
Blum & Co. restaurant opens at 7 am
Pool
None
Also
Rooftop bar. Check-in 4 pm, check-out 12 pm. You must be 21 to check in
Good for
A weekend of eating out and bar hopping
A cruise from Terminal 25, about 5 minutes on foot; check which terminal your ship uses
