Vendor Events in Galveston, TX

Galveston's Own Farmers Market is a year-round weekly farmers market operated by Groundswell, a 501(c)3 non-profit since 2012. The Sunday market features locally-grown produce, farm products, prepared foods, value-added foods, and handmade artisan goods from Galveston-area vendors and farmers. The market is family-friendly with live music and kids activities including arts and crafts. Located at The Depot on Market in downtown Galveston with free street parking, the market runs weekly year-round (closed specific dates: OkraFest weekend, Lone Star Rally Sunday, and Christmas/New Year period). The market accepts SNAP/EBT benefits with doubling programs, WIC vouchers, and Senior FMNP vouchers to enhance access for low-income families.

ARToberFEST is Galveston's premier juried fine art festival held annually in October in the historic downtown cultural arts district. The two-day outdoor event welcomes up to 125 fine artists and craftspeople exhibiting original work in ceramics, jewelry, painting, photography, textiles, wood, glass, and mixed media. The festival attracts thousands of attendees who browse artist booths, view live demonstrations, enjoy food vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities. Located along Postoffice Street and 22nd Street, the event is surrounded by the charm of Galveston's waterfront cultural district. Artists participate via a juried application process with booth spaces available.

Dickens on The Strand is a three-day Victorian Christmas festival held the first weekend in December in Galveston's Strand Historic District. The event attracts over 30,000 visitors and features more than 100 vendors operating from street stalls and rolling carts. Vendors sell holiday food and drink, Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations, and gift items. The festival includes four stages of live entertainment, parades, roaming characters, and family-friendly activities like Tiny Tim's Play Land. The Galveston Historical Foundation carefully curates vendor selections to maintain authentic Victorian ambiance. Vendors are evaluated based on product suitability and costume appropriateness, and must provide product photos and booth decoration samples before approval. The event takes place along historic downtown Galveston's streets in the Strand National Historic Landmark District, showcasing the area's 19th-century architecture.

Mardi Gras! Galveston is Texas' largest Mardi Gras celebration and the third-largest in the United States, featuring over 20 parades, live music, and family-friendly festivities. The event takes place across two main areas: the Historic Downtown Strand Entertainment District and Seawall Boulevard. Vendor booths operate within the gated downtown entertainment district alongside concerts, balcony parties, and food vendors. The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who come for elaborate floats, throws of beads and trinkets, costume contests, and themed krewe parades. More than three million beads are distributed during the two-week celebration. The event spans two weekends plus Fat Tuesday, with activities running from mid-morning through evening hours.

The Bayfront Blues & Fine Art Festival is an inaugural spring juried art festival held at Pier 21 in Galveston, bringing together fine artists from across the country with live blues music and coastal ambiance. Vendors can exhibit original artwork in a waterfront setting that attracts collectors, music lovers, and visitors seeking unique art pieces and cultural experiences. The festival runs as a weekend outdoor event with full amenities including security and parking. Free artist applications are accepted through the organizer's online application platform, with a focus on supporting both emerging and established artists. Proceeds benefit Galveston's Historic Downtown Cultural Arts District, making it an event with community impact beyond simple sales.

The Galveston Island Shrimp Festival is a two-day September celebration in the Historic Strand District that draws thousands of visitors for Gulf Coast seafood and community events. The festival features vendor booths and exhibits alongside shrimp gumbo cook-off competitions, with both amateur and professional cooking teams. Additional attractions include a 5K fun run, Ron Hoover Boat Show, live music, merchant walk-about, children's activities, and a lively parade. Attendees enjoy gumbo tastings and can sample shrimp dishes from local restaurants. The event is family-friendly during daytime hours, with a Friday evening kick-off party. This is an established festival now in its 16th consecutive year, drawing food lovers and tourists who want to celebrate local wild-caught Texas shrimp and experience Galveston's hospitality during the early fall season.

The Galveston Craft Show is an indoor, juried craft event featuring exclusively handmade goods from artisans across Texas and Louisiana. Vendors typically sell handcrafted jewelry, home décor, boutique items, soaps, fine crafts, pottery, and original artwork. The event attracts craft enthusiasts and shoppers seeking unique, locally-made items. Held at the newly relocated Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center on Galveston Island, the show provides a climate-controlled venue with complimentary covered parking. The event runs concurrently with the Corvette Chevy Expo, with one admission ticket granting access to both shows. Live entertainment and family-friendly activities enhance the weekend experience. The show has grown significantly since its 2019 inception and now boasts over 100 vendor spaces.