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Welcome to Galveston Oktoberfest 2025!
Island Oktoberfest will be held on the grounds of and streets adjacent to First Lutheran Church, 24th and Winnie – in historic downtown Galveston – and co-sponsored by Del Papa Distributing Company. Admission is free. German costumes encouraged! This fun, family weekend will feature continuous live entertainment with music and dancing on two stages!
In addition to great music and dancing, there will be superb food including smoked sausage, bratwurst, 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.
The historic and beautifully-renovated circa 1860 The Lyceum of Galveston Island will be open Friday evening from 5pm to 9pm and on Saturday 11am to 7pm with vendors showcasing exceptional hand-crafted arts, crafts, and gift items for those festival goers eager to get a head start on holiday shopping. There will also be outside vendors.
Because Island 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 holiday and other special gift items.
Proceeds from Island Oktoberfest will benefit First Lutheran’s community outreach programs – including FeedGalveston and Fanfare! Lutheran Music Academy.
For more information, call 409-762-8477, and follow the festival announcements on Facebook.
2025 Oktoberfest Contests
German Chocolate Cake Baking Contest
Entries Due Oct. 27
Sponsored by Judy Regini, Pampered Chef Independent Consultant, our German Chocolate Cake Baking Contest is open to all adults and kids of any age!
Prizes are being given by Galveston’s Pampered Chef for First, Second, and Third Place winners!
Check-in is between 9am – 2pm at the Sweet Booth in the courtyard on Friday October 27th.
Selected finalists will be notified after a 30-minute judging period which will take place immediately after the tapping of the keg which starts at 5pm.
For more information and online registration, please click the button below!
Kids Coloring Contest
Entries Due Oct. 13
Color and decorate this unique Oktoberfest coloring page designed and sponsored by Rising Tide New Media and turn it in by October 13 to be eligible for a prize!
You may use kind of art supplies, and page enhancements are allowed. We encourage creativity!
Judging will take place on Friday, October 27th, after the tapping of the keg which starts at 5pm.
Winner does not need to be present to win. Arrangements need to be made to pick up the prizes by 11am Saturday morning, if not the prize will go to the runner up.
Schedule of Events
Friday October 24
On Friday at 5:00 p.m. Galveston Oktoberfest officially opens with brief introductions by the committee organizers and then FREE beer is passed out following the tapping of the keg containing imported German Bier and live music by Die Tubameisters!
The official tapping of the keg will be done by Tessa, the host of Buzz Mornings on 94.5 FM which airs Monday-Friday from 6am to 10am. For those who prefer wine, there will also be a Popping of the Cork!
Festival hours continue with live music on two stages until 10pm. The Arts and Crafts area closes at 9pm.
The Lyceum
Arts & Crafts
- Location: Inside/Outside The Lyceum
- Time: 5p – 9p
Main Stage
The Tubameisters
- Location: The Main Stage
- Time: 5p – 630p
Mid Life Crisis Band
- Location: The Main Stage
- Time: 7p – 10p
Family Stage
The Jodie Mikula Orchestra
- Location: The Family Stage
- Time: 530p – 9p
Saturday October 25
Festival hours on Saturday, October 28, are 11am-10pm, with the Arts & Crafts open from 11am-7pm.
The KIDZ ZONE is open at 11am within a safe area where a $20 wristband will give full unlimited access to play. In addition, festival-goers can look forward to an expanded menu of authentic German food and libations, Cake Wheel, shopping for fine arts, crafts and gifts in the historic 1860 Lyceum and outside booths as well!
Kidz Zone
Kidz Zone
- Location: Kidz Zone
- Time: 11a-
- Wristband: $20
The Lyceum
Arts & Crafts
- Location: Inside/Outside The Lyceum
- Time: 11a – 7p
Main Stage
The Jodie Mikula Orchestra
- Location: Main Stage
- Time: 11a – 230p
Das Ist Lustig
- Location: Main Stage
- Time: 3p – 630p
The Line Up Band
- Location: Main Stage
- Time: 7p – 10p
Family Stage
Isaak Klaus and The Lederhosen Junkies
- Location: Family Stage
- Time: 11a – 230p
New Braunfels Gemischter Chor Harmonie
- Location: Family Stage
- Time: 230p – 3p
The Tubameisters
- Location: Family Stage
- Time: 315p – 5p
New Braunfels Gemischter Chor Harmonie
- Location: Family Stage
- Time: 515p – 545p
Kevin Anthony & G-Town Band
- Location: Family Stage
- Time: 6p – 9p
Sunday October 26
On Sunday, October 29, all are welcome for 10am worship service inside the First Lutheran sanctuary with TubaMeisters of San Antonio providing German music! (No festival activities on the outside grounds)
- Location: First Lutheran Sanctuary
- Time: 10a