Events Overview

Galveston Historical Foundation sponsors many events throughout the year, the two largest being Dickens on The Strand and Galveston Historic Homes Tour. These events benefit both GHF and Galveston Island.

Dickens on The Strand

Always the 1st weekend in December

Galveston Historical Foundation brings you one of the most delightful events in the Southwest. Dickens on The Strand on historic Galveston Island…a spirited holiday celebration straight from the 1800s. For just one weekend each December, step back in time to the days of horse-drawn carriages and hot wassail, to the London of Charles Dickens.

Ten square blocks of Victorian-era buildings in The Strand National Historic Landmark District are completely transformed into hustling, bustling streets in 19th –century London. Stroll bricked streets feasting on appetizing food and drink, shop from hundreds of vendors selling hand-crafted gifts and enjoy continuous entertainment on every block within the festival. Don’t miss the parades and special events throughout the weekend. Just 50 miles and 100 years from busy downtown Houston.

Galveston Historic Homes Tour

Always the 1st and 2nd weekends in May

Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) has been at the heart of an extraordinary preservation movement on the island for more than 50 years. Since its inception in 1954, GHF has saved hundreds of Galveston’s most important treasures – from humble shotgun houses to Craftsman-style bungalows to nationally significant mansions, sacred landmarks, commercial buildings and maritime artifacts. Every year, in order to showcase the continuing success of the city’s revitalization efforts, GHF opens a diverse collection of privately owned restored homes and other buildings to the public during the first two weekends in May. Included in these two weekends are a variety of special events.

ELISSA Plankowners’ Party and Auction

Always the First Saturday in June

Galveston’s Texas Seaport Museum at Pier 22 will be the place to be in June, when the annual Plankowners’ Party and Auction benefit gets underway with dinner, live music and a hefty cargo of unusual auction items. The annual fund-raiser helps to support the 1877 Elissa, restored to sailing condition by GHF in 1982 and named in 2005 as the Official Tall Ship of Texas.

Annual Calendar of Events Sponsored by GHF

Don’t Miss the Annual Tour of Sacred Places

Galveston Historical Foundation’s annual Sacred Places Tour will not be held in 2013, mark your calendars now for February 2014 as we feature historic places of worship on Galveston Island.

1877 Elissa, Official Tall Ship of Texas

Daysails are held each year in March on the Tall Ship Elissa designated by the National Park Service as a National Historic Landmark. She was named the “Official Tall Ship of Texas” in a resolution signed by Governor Rick Perry in June, 2005.

GHF presents the Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour the first two weekends in May GHF opens a diverse collection of privately owned restored homes and other buildings to the public from humble shotgun houses to Craftsman-style bungalows to nationally significant mansions, sacred landmarks, commercial buildings and maritime artifacts.

Galveston Historical Foundation’s Annual Steel Oleander Luncheon

The Steel Oleander Award is given each year in May to salute an outstanding Galveston woman whose community service reflects the ideals and independent spirit of Miss Bettie Brown of Ashton Villa.

Galveston Historical Foundation Presents "The Making of the Underground Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom"

As part of Galveston’s annual Juneteenth activities, GHF will present its annual Underground Railroad program to introduce local children to the stories of American slaves who escaped to freedom, and the abolitionists who helped them. The event is free.

Galveston Historical Foundation's Annual Antique Treasures Sale and Preview Party

A wide array of antiques, furniture and home accessories will be available for sale at GHF’s annual sale of donated items.

Historic Fun: GHF’s Discovery Day Camp

Enrollment is open for children ages 6 to 12 for the GHF’s Discovery Day Camp. Five days of fun, crafts and games at Galveston’s most historic sites, including Elissa and the Texas Seaport Museum, and a Harbor Tour and dolphin watch aboard Seagull II.

“Are We Haunted?”

Special October Tours at Ashton Villa highlight legends and ghost stories of the mansion

Dickens on The Strand

Always held the 1st weekend in December, Dickens on The Strand, on historic Galveston Island takes you back in time to a spirited holiday celebration straight from the 1800s.

Quilt Exhibits

A revolving display of quilts is exhibited throughout the year at the 1861 U. S. Custom House, headquarters of Galveston Historical Foundation.