Eleventh Annual Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration at Hotel Galvez

Hotel Galvez & Spa is hosting its eleventh annual Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration on Friday, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. featuring performances from The Nutcracker, area choirs and dance groups and the Galveston Community Band. The Lighting Celebration is one of the more than 50 days of holiday fun in Galveston, the “Winter Wonder Island” of Texas. The Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration is an annual, free family event and marks the start of the official holiday season in Galveston. 

The Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration begins with the arrival of Santa Claus by horse-drawn carriage, followed by the lighting of the hotel’s 35-foot Christmas tree with a count-down led by Santa Claus and Galveston’s Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Brown. KHOU-TV’s Mia Gradney will emcee the event. 

Guests will be entertained by Galveston Community Band directed by Doyle Neuwiller, Fanfare Lutheran Music Academy and Ambassadors Preparatory Academy Fine Arts Ambassadors led by Anita Donato, and Trinity School Choir led by Laura Hyatt. New this year is the DLS Dance Studio under the direction of Tatiana Verega. The evening concludes with a performance by the Galveston Ballet under the direction of Janel Amsallem. Dickens on The Strand’s Queen Victoria and other special characters will also make appearances during the festivities. Additionally, children can have photos taken with Santa Claus in the hotel’s Music Hall. Souvenir photos with Santa by KC Photography will be available for purchase for $15. 

Throughout the evening’s festivities, Hotel Galvez will accept monetary donations for the Salvation Army to help make the holidays brighter for all members of the community.