![]({"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/340.2.riggs_.causeway.christmas.barry_-1024x768.jpg","width":1024,"filesize":219088},"full":{"0":"2025\/12\/340.2.riggs_.causeway.christmas.barry_.jpg","1":1080,"2":810,"3":false,"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/340.2.riggs_.causeway.christmas.barry_.jpg"}})
’Tis the Season in Galveston
By Forest Riggs
Can you believe that it is already December? It feels as though the past 12 months have flown by. Thanksgiving came so fast, or so it seems. Now December is here, and that means two things in Galveston: Dickens on the Strand and, of course, Christmas.
The Dickens celebration is one that residents and visitors really look forward to seeing each year. Downtown Galveston, for three days (December 5-7), is transformed into a Victorian English village. The streets are filled with crowds of folks dressed in period clothing, and various costumed groups, musicians, vendors, and more offer a taste of Merry Ol’ England. The taverns and booths are very popular, as are the Scotch Eggs that everyone craves. Bagpipes can be heard echoing through the streets, and Queen Victoria herself can be seen riding in her regal carriage during the parades. When not escorting the queen’s carriage, the brightly clad Beefeaters can be seen taking pictures with both young and old, as they are a very popular part of the celebration. Galveston’s Dickens on the Strand is unique and something that everyone should have on their bucket list.
The beautiful Galveston Island Christmas tree
Another great Christmas-related island tradition is the annual tree-lighting ceremony, which takes place at Saengerfest Park, downtown (December 1). Locals and islanders gather around the park in anticipation of the lighting of the beautiful tree that is perfectly decorated and adorned. Music is a big part of the ceremony, as carols are sung and guest musicians perform traditional Christmas music. Hot chocolate and warm cider are available to add charm to the evening. If the weather cooperates and there is a chill in the air, this event certainly gets everyone in the mood for the season.
There are many events taking place during the month of December. The Galveston County Historical Museum hosts its annual Local Authors Book Signing and Sale. The is a great time to pick up some unique Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers, and to meet the authors. Each year, this event draws more and more folks from near and far. The authors are present, each at their own table, and really enjoy sharing their stories and talking about their books. The event is held on December 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. inside the museum located within the old courthouse at 722 21st Street. Everyone loves to add an autographed copy of a great book to their collection.
There are many events and happenings on the island during December. For a full list, check out Galveston.com.
In retrospect
The past year was filled with a lot of things on the island, some good and some bad.
The 7th Annual Barry White Birthday Celebration took place on November 1 and was a huge success. Lucky Lounge was filled to capacity with merry attendees. The sale of delicious gumbo and the silent auction raised just a few dollars short of $11,000! The money raised was donated to the island’s ACCT (Access Care Coastal Texas) program, which offers aid and support to the island’s HIV community.
On the downside, our community lost several wonderful people this year, leaving huge voids and feelings of loss. A community as small and as tightly knit as the Galveston LGBTQ+ community really feels the pain when one of our own passes away. Memorials and Life Celebrations take place and offer a time for sharing stories and remembering the friend or family member that passed away, each remembered for their lives and their contributions and uniqueness.
Celebrating Barry White’s birthday with Danny Rowe (left), Forest Riggs, Christin Rowe and Lesley Sommer
Regardless of one’s spiritual beliefs or practices, December in Galveston offers many opportunities to
make the season special and create some great memories. Whatever you do and however you celebrate the season, be safe and remember to be kind to one another.
Merry Christmas.
Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.
![]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342.riggs_.causeway.mardigras-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":16080},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342.riggs_.causeway.mardigras-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":37948},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342.riggs_.causeway.mardigras-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":106088}})
![]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_RIGGS_2.rainbowvictory-SET-IMAGE-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":14161},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_RIGGS_2.rainbowvictory-SET-IMAGE-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":20310},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_RIGGS_2.rainbowvictory-SET-IMAGE-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":38830}})
![]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/339.Riggs_.causeway.thanksgiving2.Photo1_.Nov05-25-copy-3-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":7373},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/339.Riggs_.causeway.thanksgiving2.Photo1_.Nov05-25-copy-3-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":16414},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/339.Riggs_.causeway.thanksgiving2.Photo1_.Nov05-25-copy-3-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":44798}})
![]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-White-b-day-Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-4.04.58-AM-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":11420},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-White-b-day-Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-4.04.58-AM-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":24950},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barry-White-b-day-Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-4.04.58-AM-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":67843}})
![]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342.riggs_.causeway.mardigras-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":16080},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342.riggs_.causeway.mardigras-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":37948},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342.riggs_.causeway.mardigras-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":106088},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342.riggs_.causeway.mardigras-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":320094}})
Comments are closed.