Calendar

The One and Only Island Oktoberfest! Galveston’s premier fall festival – the 38th Annual Island Oktoberfest – kicks off Friday evening, October 25, 2019 from 5-10pm and continues Saturday, October 26 from 11 am – 10 pm.

This fun, family weekend will feature: continuous live entertainment on 2 stages, an expanded menu of authentic German food and libations, Cake Wheel, shopping for fine arts, crafts and gifts in the historic 1860 Lyceum, a lively auction, new and exciting fun, family children’s activities, and much more.

Oktoberfest will be held on the grounds of and streets adjacent to First Lutheran Church, 24th and Winnie – in historic downtown Galveston. Admission is FREE and German costumes are encouraged. This year, festival goers can look forward to more of everything … that is German! Island Oktoberfest, hosted by First Evangelical Lutheran Church and co-sponsored by Del Papa Distributing Company, will open Friday evening with themed-Bier Garten venues – featuring a variety of both German and domestic brews and a variety of German-style wines. Again, this year, Oktoberfest will feature special beer and wine tastings – paired with a delightful array of appetizers. In addition to great music and dancing, there will be superb food including smoked sausage, bratwurst, knockwurst, and “Wurstabendessen“- a sausage dinner comprised of German-style and Polish style Wurst with all the traditional German side dishes. This special German Dinner will be available both Friday evening and on Saturday. For a sweet finale, homemade Helga’s strudel (freshly baked on site), will be offered in addition to a variety of tempting home-made desserts – specially prepared by congregation members from recipes handed down from generation to generation. Hand-made pretzels, freshly-popped popcorn, and a variety of soft drinks will also be sold at the festival.

The historic and beautifully-renovated circa 1860 Galveston Lyceum will again be open Friday evening and Saturday with vendors showcasing exceptional hand-crafted arts, crafts, and gift items for those festival goers eager to get a head start on holiday shopping.

Because Oktoberfest continues to be one of the vendors’ most enjoyable and popular venues, regular attendees can look forward to shopping at their long-time favorite booths – each featuring Christmas and other special gift items.

Island Oktoberfest admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to dress in German costume. No animals will be allowed on the festival grounds. For more information, call 409.762.8477, or follow the event on Facebook at Island Oktoberfest. All proceeds benefit programs and outreach for First Lutheran Church in Galveston – including FeedGalveston – an initiative that provides nutritious, ready-to-prepare meals for those in Galveston County who are food insecure. In addition proceeds benefit Fanfare! Lutheran Music Academy, a non-profit organization established by First Lutheran Church that provides high quality, low-cost music, art and drama education for Galveston youth.