Family Friendly Attractions & Events

Nestled amidst breathtaking natural surroundings, Moody Gardens offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement for guests of all ages for work or play. From tropical rainforests to the oceans of the world, a wide range of attractions, educational activities, kid's events, dining options, and exciting entertainment await. This island resort uniquely accommodates large conferences, weddings and social events as well as being the romantic escape and family destination where special memories are created.

Galveston Island Wine Festival header showing the tunnel inside the Aquarium Pyramid while a large stingray swims above.
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Galveston Island Wine Festival at Moody Gardens
August 29 - 31

Cheers to a wonderful weekend of wine, food, live music, and fun on Galveston Island. Special activities are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday; so wine lovers plan your itinerary, book your hotel and make it a weekend to remember!

BIG MUSIC NEWS!

All attendees receive free admission to all three days of the Texas Country Music event at Moody Gardens!

Galveston Island Wine Festival additional chefs featuring Executive Sous Chef Aaron Sekula of Moody Gardens, Executive Pastry Chef Kristy RileyLogos for Mosquito Cafe and PattyCakes bakery in Galveston, Texas

Schedule of Events

Welcome hors d'oeuvres

Friday, August 29

OFFICIAL WINE STORE HOURS
Hotel Lobby Bar
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

WELCOME RECEPTION​
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Start your weekend off right with complimentary beverages from sampling activations by our event sponsors.

WHITE LINEN SEAFOOD EXTRAVAGANZA
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

An evening of refined indulgence. Delight in a stand-and-taste culinary experience featuring top-tier chefs as they present sensational seafood dishes. Each creation is expertly paired with select varietals from the world’s premier wine regions.

Dress Code: White Linen Attire

WINE'D DOWN
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Transition to a more relaxing atmosphere, “wine’d down” as you enjoy a complimentary beverage sample accompanied by live entertainment by pianist D’Angelo.

FREE for Wine Fest Hotel Guests!

WINE, WHEELS & MUSIC
6:00 PM - Midnight

Added Value! Sip on cocktails while enjoying classic car previews and live music with 4 special concerts from 6-midnight. Complimentary beverages not included.

Three women from the Galveston Island Wine Festival smile for a photograph while holding glasses of wine

Saturday, August 30

RESTORATIVE YOGA
8:30 AM

BECK BRUNCH AND BUBBLES
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Featuring a complimentary Graham Beck mimosa! Brunch not included.

OFFICIAL WINE STORE HOURS
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Take your favorite bottle of wine home! Featuring participating festival wines. Located in the Moody Gardens Hotel Lobby.

CAR AUCTION
12:00 PM- 6:00 PM

Added Value! Classic car auction bidding fee waived for Wine Festival attendees.

PENGUINS & PINOT: GRAND TASTING AT THE AQUARIUM PYRAMID
5:00 PM- 8:00 PM

Sample varietals from participating wineries. A delightful evening awaits at this stand-and-taste event as you tour the Oceans of the World with wine and spirit tastings, food bites from Gulf Coast restaurants, and marine animal encounters. This experience will take you to new depths!

WINE'D DOWN
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Enjoy fantastic live entertainment with the opportunity to relax, chill out or kick up your heels and dance with pianist Taylor Lauren.

FREE for Wine Fest Hotel Guests!

WINE, WHEELS & MUSIC
6:00 PM - Midnight

Added Value! Sip on cocktails while enjoying classic car previews and live music with 4 special concerts from 6-midnight. Complimentary beverages not included.

An older gentleman holds a glass of bourbon during the Bourbon Tasting seminar while listening to a speaker

Sunday, August 31

RESTORATIVE YOGA
8:30 AM

BRUNCH AND BUBBLES
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Featuring a complimentary mimosa! Brunch not included.

OFFICIAL WINE STORE HOURS
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Take your favorite bottle of wine home! Featuring participating festival wines. Located in the Moody Gardens Hotel Lobby.

BOURBON TASTING
3:00 PM

Bourbon sampling in the Moody Gardens Hotel Lobby.

PIATTELLI VINEYARDS WINE DINNER AT SHEARN'S
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Enjoy an exceptional wine paired dinner.

GRAND FINALE: AN EVENING WITH SUZY BOGGUSS
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Cap off your unforgettable weekend with an exclusive performance by the legendary Suzy Bogguss.

FREE for Wine Fest Hotel Guests!

WINE, WHEELS & MUSIC
6:00 pm - Midnight

Added Value! Sip on cocktails while enjoying classic car previews and live music with 5 special concerts from 6-midnight. Complimentary beverages not included.

Music Lineup

In conjunction with the Galveston Classic Car Auction, enjoy three nights of live performances as part of the Texas Music Festival, happening August 29–31. It's the perfect blend of horsepower and live entertainment all under one roof at Moody Gardens.

Friday, August 29

6PM - Midnight

A group of men in cowboy attire sitting on a wooden porch in front of an old, weathered building surrounded by trees.

The Wilder Blue

A smiling young woman in a floral blouse and black hat holds an acoustic guitar against a plain beige background.

Bri Bagwell

A well-dressed man with gray hair holds an electric guitar in front of a plain gray background.

Dale Watson

A man wearing a blue cowboy-style suit and hat is performing on stage, playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone.

Jake Penrod

Saturday, August 30

6PM - Midnight

A man wearing a dark suit and sunglasses stands at a microphone, performing on a stage with an orange background.

William Beckmann

A man wearing a cowboy hat and holding a guitar is performing on stage in a dimly lit room.

Gary P. Nunn

A musician on stage playing an accordion, surrounded by a band and illuminated by vibrant stage lights.

The Tejas Bros

A man wearing a cowboy hat and a brown suit is sitting in a room with a green chair and other furniture in the background.

Jake Penrod

Sunday, August 31

2PM - Midnight

A smiling man with blond hair wearing a dark shirt sits in a cozy room surrounded by framed artwork and other decorations.

Cory Morrow

A group of five people, dressed in casual attire, standing in a rural setting with mountains and telephone poles visible in the background.

Silverada

A woman with long dark hair wearing a vibrant red cowboy hat against a dark background.

Kat Hasty

A group of four men, dressed in suits, performing as a rock band with electric guitars, drums, and a piano.

The Derailers

A woman with long, blonde hair is sitting and playing an acoustic guitar in a room with a red wall and a hanging lamp.

Pauline Reese

Stay tuned for more acts and guest appearance announcements!

Hotel Packages

Make a weekend of it,
and stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel!

An older couple laughs and engages in conversation at the Galveston Island Wine Festival event in the Garden Cay at the Moody Gardens Hotel

ON CLOUD WINE HOTEL PACKAGE

3 DAYS, 14 EVENTS
(Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)

Enjoy the Welcome Reception with complimentary beverages, White Linen Seafood Extravaganza, Wine'd Down with Aperitifs, Morning Restorative Yoga, Brunch & Bubbles, Classic Cars, Wine & Texas Country, Penguins & Pinot: Grand Tasting at the Aquarium Pyramid, Wine’d Down After Hours with live entertainment, Car Auction, Bourbon Tasting, Wine Paired Dinner, and the Grand Finale: An Evening with Suzy Bogguss. All access to these events throughout the weekend, plus the Aquarium Pyramid, Palm Beach, and self-parking are included in your package.

A group of wine fest attendees sample varous foods from each chef station in the Shearn's Lounge located on the 9th floor of the Moody Gardens Hotel.

PREMIUM HOTEL PACKAGE

2 DAYS, 11 EVENTS
(Friday and Saturday)

Enjoy the Welcome Reception with complimentary beverages, White Linen Seafood Extravaganza, Wine'd Down with Aperitifs, Morning Restorative Yoga, Brunch & Bubbles, Classic Cars, Wine & Texas Country, Penguins & Pinot: Grand Tasting at the Aquarium Pyramid, Wine’d Down After Hours with live entertainment, and the Car Auction. All access to these events throughout the weekend, plus the Aquarium Pyramid, Palm Beach, and self-parking are included in your package.

Chilly the King Penguin inside the Penguin Exhibit at the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid

ONE NIGHT GRAND HOTEL PACKAGE

1 DAY, 5 EVENTS
(Saturday)

Enjoy the Morning Restorative Yoga, Brunch & Bubbles, Classic Cars, Wine & Texas Country, Penguins & Pinot: Grand Tasting at the Aquarium Pyramid, Wine’d Down After Hours with live entertainment, and the Car Auction. All access to these events, plus the Aquarium Pyramid, Palm Beach, and self-parking are included in your package.

A dinner of short rib, pumpkin puree, mushrooms and asparagus with a glass of bourbon sits on a table

WINE DINNER HOTEL PACKAGE

1 Day, 3 Events
(Sunday)

Enjoy the Morning Restorative Yoga, Brunch & Bubbles, Car Auction & Bourbon Sampling, Wine Paired Dinner, and the Grand Finale: An Evening with Suzy Bogguss. All access to these events, plus Palm Beach and self-parking are included in your package.

Individual Tickets Are Available

(The Following Ticket Options Exclude Hotel Stays)

Friday/Saturday


Includes White Linen Seafood Extravaganza,
Penguins & Pinot: Grand Tasting at the Aquarium Pyramid,
Wine’d Down After Hours featuring live entertainment!

Saturday Only


Enjoy Penguins & Pinot: Grand Tasting at the Aquarium Pyramid, Wine’d Down After Hours featuring live entertainment!

The image displays the sponsors of the Galveston Island Wine Festival, including Stella Artois, Beck Family Estates, Graham Beck Wines, Hornitos, On the Rocks Premium Cocktails, Jim Beam, and Moody Bank.