Galveston.com Presents Its Annual Holiday Preview
Winter is fast approaching, and with it comes a host of family-friendly events throughout November and December on Galveston Island. Whether you're planning on only visiting Galveston Island for the day or you plan to make this your weekend getaway, there's a list of fun and exciting things to do.

Moody Gardens Features Outdoor Ice Skating thru January 2nd
Strap on a pair of skates and glide across the ice at the area's only outdoor ice skating rink. The brand new rink features the beautiful scenery of the Offatts Bayou and the glittering Festival of Lights.

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights Returns This Holiday Season
Festive sights and sounds will once again fill the air at Moody Gardens during the Festival of Lights November 14th through January 2nd. As one of the largest holiday celebrations on the Gulf Coast, the annual event receives over 85,000 visitors, many of whom have made the festival their own holiday tradition.

"Celebrating 150 Years of Ashton Villa: Architecture of Ashton Villa," November 20th
Built by J.M. Brown in 1859, Ashton Villa is an Italianate villa style house with elaborate cast-iron. It has undergone many alterations; this lecture will detail these changes and will discuss the importance of this grand home.

Seaside Treasure Festival Kicks Off Friday, November 20th
The eleventh annual Seaside Treasure Festival will be held Friday (1-7pm) and Saturday (9am-4pm), November 20-21, 2009. Seaside features over 100 arts and crafts vendors, a fabulous lunch in the Seaside Cafe, a wonderful silent auction, and much more.

Go "Behind the Scenes" at Bishop's Palace November 21st
A unique opportunity to tour Galveston Island’s masterpiece, named the 14th most important Victorian building in America by the American Institute of Architects, from basement to attic. Guests will view areas not normally open to the public.

Seaside Treasure Festival Continues Saturday, November 21st
The eleventh annual Seaside Treasure Festival will be held Friday (1-7pm) and Saturday (9am-4pm), November 20-21, 2009. Seaside features over 100 arts and crafts vendors, a fabulous lunch in the Seaside Cafe, a wonderful silent auction, and much more.

"Colonel" Paddlewheel Boat Dinner Cruise Saturday, November 21st
Enjoy holiday lights from across Offatts Bayou. Eat well, dance all night long and enjoy festivities on an authentic replica of an 1800-style Paddlewheeler decorated for the holiday season.

"Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island" at Moody Gardens Beginning November 21st
The traveling exhibit "Forgotten Gateway" chronicles the Port of Galveston’s largely forgotten history as a major gateway to American immigration from 1845 to 1924. "Forgotten Gateway" builds on a growing scholarly and public interest in the history of migration patterns to America and Galveston’s place as one of the nation's top immigrant ports in that history. On view at Moody Gardens Discovery Pyramid September November 21, 2009 thru September 11, 2010.

Rita Rudner Coming to The Grand, November 21st at 3pm
Well known popular Las Vegas entertainer Rita Rudner brings her unique style of comedy to The Grand for the first time ever.

Rita Rudner Coming to The Grand, November 21st at 8pm
Well known popular Las Vegas entertainer Rita Rudner brings her unique style of comedy to The Grand for the first time ever.

Artist Boat to Paddle Galveston Island State Park November 22nd
The Galveston Island State Park offers paddlers access to one of Galveston's premier ecological and historical jewels. Witness herons and pelicans flying overhead, travel back in time to when the Karankawas made Galveston Island their winter home, and discover how restoration scientists have restored wetlands and fisheries. This 1,200-acre state park hosts many examples of barrier island habitats explored easily from the beach or by walking trails.

Houston Civic Symphony Concert at Moody Gardens November 22nd
Moody Gardens and the Houston Civic Symphony will present a special concert of three classic European works, Smetana's Moldau from "Ma Vlast," Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 by Brahms with the violin soloist Aija Izaks and Ravel arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

Galveston Symphony in Concert at The Grand November 22nd
The Galveston Symphony Orchestra will be live in concert Sunday, November 22nd, 7pm, at the Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice. The performance will feature "Rosamunde Overture" by Franz Schubert; "Lieutenant Kije Symphonic Suite, Op. 60" by Sergei Prokofiev; "Scheherazade, Op.35" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Rosenberg Library presents "A Christmas Carol" November 24th
Rosenberg Library is pleased to present Hampstead Stage Company's live theatrical performance of "A Christmas Carol," coming Tuesday, November 24th, at 3pm in the Harris Gallery. Admission is free for children and parents.

The San Luis Presents Thanksgiving Brunch November 26th
The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center is pulling out all the stops to share the spirit of the holiday with island residents and their families and friends for Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26th. Reservations are available for 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a Feast at Hilton Galveston Island
Hilton Galveston Island has much to be thankful for this year and is sharing the spirit with guests from all over offering its traditional Thanksgiving Buffet, Thursday, November 26th from 11am-2pm in the Palm Court.

"A Broadway Christmas Carol" at Island ETC November 27th thru December 19th
Christmas just got a whole lot funnier! "A Broadway Christmas Carol" is a delicious cross between the classic Dickens tale of the redeemed miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, and uproarious song parodies of your favorite Broadway show tunes. This irreverent and boisterous alternative to traditional holiday fare will leave you rolling in the aisle and begging for more! Showtimes Thursday thru Saturday 8pm, and Sunday 2:30pm.

Moody Mansion Dresses Up for the Holidays!
Every year Moody Mansion is decorated for Christmas as we remember Mary Moody Northen's affection for this holiday. Historic ornaments and lights are added to trees all over the first floor. The largest tree, placed in the ballroom, is covered with her personal collection of ornaments which date from the early 1900s into the 1980s. Don't miss the wondrous display, November 27th thru January 6th.

Hotel Galvez Holiday Lighting Celebration Twinkles Back to Isle November 27th
This Galveston holiday celebration will feature a special visit by Santa Claus, holiday entertainment and holiday greetings by special guests. The event is free and open to the public.

Artist Boat to Paddle Galveston Island State Park November 28th
The Galveston Island State Park offers paddlers access to one of Galveston's premier ecological and historical jewels. Witness herons and pelicans flying overhead, travel back in time to when the Karankawas made Galveston Island their winter home, and discover how restoration scientists have restored wetlands and fisheries. This 1,200-acre state park hosts many examples of barrier island habitats explored easily from the beach or by walking trails.

Fiesta Navidena at Moody Gardens November 28th
Moody Gardens and Island Star Performances are proud to host Fiesta Navidena, Saturday, November 28th, featuring the nation's premier mariachi band, Mariachi Sol de Mexico. The festival of food, dancing, singing and fun also will feature an all-star Tropical Jingle Jam with Houston's top Latin performers.

"Something Old, Something New" at The Tremont House November 28th
Guests can see "Something Old, Something New: Galveston's Distinctive Architecture" as depicted in Historic Postcards and Paintings from the Rosenberg Library's Collection as part of ArtWalk at The Tremont House. "Something Old, Something New" will feature color postcards and paintings highlighting Galveston’s historic buildings and their unique architectural traits. The presentation will include postcards from the early 1900s to the 1950s, including many images from the Forshey Collection. Featured buildings include Union Station, Tremont Hotel (1872-1928), and the original John Sealy Hospital.

Santa by the Sea Jingles to Downtown Galveston November 28th
Santa's sleigh will touch down in downtown Galveston Saturday, November 28th. Kids are invited to visit with 'ole Saint Nick from 2:30pm to 6:30pm, in the Tremont Ballroom Lobby in the Davidson Building, just across from The Tremont House.

Strand Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates Saengerfest Park November 28th
Don't miss the magical Strand Christmas Tree Lighting, lighting up Saengerfest Park November 28th beginning at 7pm, just after Santa by the Sea. Presented by the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership. Admission is free.

Gulf Coast Wood Turners Group at The Grand for ArtWalk, November 28th
Galveston's Grand 1894 Opera House will present the Gulf Coast Wood Turners Group whittling their way into the Island's next ArtWalk, scheduled for Saturday, November 28th. This group of Houston artists will showcase turned vessels, bowls, and other unique hand-crafted items - all created from Galveston trees.

ArtWalk Returns Saturday, November 28th
For over twenty years, the Galveston Arts Center has produced ArtWalk on Saturday nights in the heart of the historic district. Now spreading to other parts of the island, ArtWalk occurs approximately every six weeks in existing commercial galleries, non-profit arts spaces, restaurants and retail shops. One of the Galveston Arts Center's largest programs, ArtWalk promotes visual art and artists, offers alternative places to see and learn about art, and welcomes visitors to the island's flourishing art community.

Willie Nelson Returns to The Grand November 29th
Over the course of nearly half a century, Willie Nelson has embodied all the faces of American music as completely as Bob Wills, Louis Armstrong or Irving Berlin. And he shows no sign of slowing down. Don't miss his wonderful return to The Grand, Sunday & Monday November 29th and 30th.

Willie Nelson Returns to The Grand November 30th
Over the course of nearly half a century, Willie Nelson has embodied all the faces of American music as completely as Bob Wills, Louis Armstrong or Irving Berlin. And he shows no sign of slowing down. Don't miss his wonderful return to The Grand, Sunday & Monday November 29th and 30th.

20th Annual Victorian Christmas Homes Tour Scheduled for December 4th
The architecture of the East End reflects some of the city's most notable examples of residential Victorian architecture, a variety of styles and periods with the earliest being examples of Greek Revival style built during the 1850's. This year's tour will feature five East End homes decorated for the Christmas season.