Island Oktoberfest

First Lutheran Church has run Island Oktoberfest on its grounds and the surrounding downtown Galveston streets for more than four decades, reaching its 44th edition in 2026. Admission is free, and the festival opens Friday with a ceremonial keg tapping before two stages of continuous live entertainment take over. German food and drink, beer and wine tastings and homemade strudel anchor the menu, while the historic 1860 Lyceum houses arts and crafts vendors and a children's area offers rides and activities. German costumes are encouraged.