Not-to-Miss Summer Events on the Upper Texas Coast
Summer on the Upper Texas Coast is hot and fun. Plan your trip with these not-to-miss summer events. Grab the kids or your favorite travel partner, pack the car, and explore the Upper Texas Coast this summer. Check our new Trip Plans for ideas for stops geared toward nature lovers and history buffs.
Juneteenth Celebrations. You’ll find Juneteenth celebrations in Galveston, the birthplace of Juneteenth, and nearby Beaumont and Port Arthur. Check with the Convention & Visitors Bureau for details on planned events. Activities begin June 14 and continue through June in some instances.
First Thursday at AMSET in Beaumont. Enjoy free admission and refreshments at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. The museum collection includes Texas Fine Art, Texas Folk Art, Regional/Southeast Texas Folk Art, Early American Folk Art, Mexican Folk Art, Early American Art (before 1970), European Art, and more. (Jefferson County)
Thursdays at The Bryan Museum in Galveston. Every Thursday in Galveston, locals flock to The Bryan Museum for this weekly concert from 4 to 7 pm featuring local talent and a curated selection of wines. Plus, the Museum is open to the public until 7 pm. The museum is a recommended stop in the Texas History Trip Plan. (Galveston County)
Thursdays through July 27, Summer Concert Series at Menard Park in Galveston. La Izquierda hosts a free Save the Locals Summer Concert Series every Thursday from 6 to 9 pm in June and July in the historic Menard Park Bandshell. Bring your lawn chair and your kids to enjoy live music with a view of the Gulf of Mexico. (Galveston County)
Saturdays through August 26, Yoga at Cattail Marsh in Beaumont. Experience the serenity of a quiet morning of yoga at Cattail Marsh Wetlands. These free Vinyasa yoga classes are held from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Bring your mat and enjoy this free class overlooking the Cattail Marsh Boardwalk. And, Cattail Marsh is a recommended stop in the Nature Trip Plan. (Jefferson County)
Saturdays and Sundays thru Sept. 3, Bucket Brigade at East Beach. If you want to learn about the dynamic beach environment during your visit, Artist Boat offers beach tours with hands-on activities that shed light on Galveston’s turbid water, marine debris, Sargassum landings, and more. All ages are welcome. Tours begin at 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm and last 45 minutes. (Galveston County)
Now – June 24, Coming Home: Paintings by Forrest Bess at the City by the Sea Museum in Palacios. Born in Bay City, Forrest Bess’ paintings are exhibited throughout the country, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and numerous others. These “Coming Home” paintings are on loan to the Museum from private collections, with some that have never been seen publicly. Bess was also known for designing camouflage during his time in the US Army Corps of Engineers. The museum is a recommended stop in the Texas History Trip Plan. (Matagorda County)
Now thru July 31, “Petals and Pastels” at the Matagorda County Museum. This temporary exhibit features floral and soft-colored treasures and are presented by the Matagorda County Museum Association. The museum is a recommended stop in the Texas History Trip Plan. (Matagorda County)
June 24, Fort Velasco Day at the Freeport Historical Museum in Freeport. Fort Velasco Day commemorates the 191st anniversary of the Battle of Fort Velasco, the first true military conflict of the Texas Revolution, with a living history event featuring reenactors from across Texas. Visitors will experience 1830s Texas life and conflict at the mouth of the Brazos River. (Brazoria County)
June 25, “Velasco & Quintana: A Glimpse into 19th Century Texas” Exhibit Opening, Brazosport Museum of Natural Science in Clute. Make plans to celebrate the opening of this new archaeology exhibit featuring artifacts recovered from the 19th-century town sites of Velasco and Quintana. This unique exhibit will reside in the museum’s Raymond Walley Hall of Archaeology. (Brazoria County)
June 23 & 30, Concerts in the Park at Independence Park in Pearland. Enjoy a live band in the park from 7 to 9 pm. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets for this family-friendly event. (Brazoria County)
July 6, July 20, Aug 3, & Aug. 17, Cajun and Creole Acoustic Jam Session in Port Arthur. Music lovers will love this local jam session held on the first and third Thursday of the month in the American Legion Hall. Bring your instruments, dance, or just enjoy the live music during this free event from 6 to 8:30 pm (Jefferson County)
July 15, 10th Annual Albatross Old Smokey Throwdown in Galveston. Register early, pack your Old Smokey, and compete in this annual cookout hosted by The Albatross. Cooking teams compete in various categories in the summer heat for bragging rights. The cook-off is from 10 am to 6 pm on 21st Street. (Galveston County)
July 20 & August 10, Jazz at the Lake at the Downtown Event Center in Beaumont. The City of Beaumont’s annual Jazz at the Lake returns for summer nights of live entertainment, cool jazz, and fun. The event is held indoors from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Event Centre. (Jefferson County)
July 27 – 29, Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute. This three-day family festival has been a Clute tradition for over 40 years. Festivities include a 5K run, cook-off, arts and crafts, a carnival, and live music. Some more unique activities include a Karaoke Show, Doubles Washing Pitching Tournament, and Doubles Cornhole Contest to add to the fun. (Brazoria County)
This list of must-do events is just a sampling of things to do on the Upper Texas Coast. For more ideas, click Things to Do, search by category, and check the Trip Plans for suggested stops.
This list of must-do events is just a sampling of things to do on the Upper Texas Coast. For more ideas, click Things to Do, search by category, and check the Trip Plans for suggested stops.
About Lone Star Coastal Alliance
The Lone Star Coastal Alliance is a 501(c)3 created to preserve and promote the upper Texas Gulf Coast region in a manner that enhances coastal resilience while fostering economic development focused on conservation and tourism, elevating the unique natural, cultural, and historical assets of the region and benefitting quality of life within the communities.
