Moody Gardens Galveston 2018 Holiday Opening Day

Today in Tha Wire Moody Gardens Galveston Island is simply the 'Coolest Holiday Destination in The Southwest!' The 2018 holiday season will officially get underway on, Opening Day Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10 am! Trust me watching Santa jump out of a plane, and parachute down to kick-off the amazing Christmas celebration is truly something to see. Enjoy 8-holiday attractions with the entire family and make sure to dress warm because the temp in Ice Land is only 9 degrees! Plan your visit today, and experience the holidays like never before at the magical resort in Galveston, Texas.

Click here to watch the tent come to life through our live camera! As the largest holiday destination in the Southwest, Moody Gardens offers more holiday attractions, activities, festive fun, dining and hotel packages than you can imagine. Plus plan ahead by planning your trip, using Santa's Crowd Forecast Calendar.

Ice Land: Pole to Pole
Whether you've been or not, there's always a new theme to explore in Ice Land. This year it took 2 million pounds of ice for Harbin, China's master ice carvers to create a festive journey from the North, to South Pole. See reindeer, polar bears, snow owls, penguins, humpback whales, and walrus. Experience animals that live from pole to pole. Enjoy a few rides down the giant glacier slide, grad a spirit at Shivers Ice Bar that has been transformed into a Northwest Trading Post! Winter Holiday tickets are on sale now.

NOV. SAT 17, 2018 - OPENING DAY OF HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS AT MOODY GARDEN SCHEDULE:

Starting at 10 am see back to back live entertainment by Jill Rauscher School Of Dance, Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir, DLS Dance Studio, Speed Painting Performance – By Ange Hillz (VisualPaint)

Santa Claus Parachutes in from the North Pole at 5 pm.

Festival of Lights Opens at 6 pm(free to the public)
NOV. THURS. 22 - THANKSGIVING AT MOODY GARDENS AT GARDEN RESTAURANT

11:00 AM to 8:00 PM - Come and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Buffet at our Garden Restaurant inside the Visitors Center, it provides casual dining with a spectacular view of Offats Bayou!

NOV. THURS. 22 - THANKSGIVING AT MOODY GARDENS HOTEL MOODY BALLROOM

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Eat a bountiful feast with family and friends. Reservations are required, call 409-683-4466. Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults: $59 Seniors: $49 Children (4-12): $29, Children 3 & under are free.

DEC. SAT 1 PM - BREAKFAST WITH SANTA GARDEN RESTAURANT

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

This event is limited to the first 180 people for each reservation time at the Garden Restaurant. RSVP by end of day, on the Thursday before each event tickets prices are as follows:
$30/adult and $18 per child
Member Cost: $25/adult and $15 per child (Cost includes breakfast, a souvenir photo & Santa and Friends Meet & Greet)

DEC. TUE 4 MOODY GARDENS TEAMS UP WITH THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - GROWING TOGETHER AT MOODY GARDENS

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The goal of this event is to help provide an educational program offered to individuals with early onset Alzheimer’s and one family member or caretaker. Growing Together at Moody Gardens, enables caretakers and family members to use these monthly programs as a fun and exciting topic to reflect back on and discuss in their spare time. Growing Together at Moody Gardens is a hands on, interactive learning experience using arts and crafts, exotic animal experiences, tours through sections of our exhibits and attractions, Moody Gardens staff presentations and much more!

DEC. SAT 8 - BREAKFAST WITH SANTA GARDEN RESTAURANT

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Garden Restaurant in the Visitors Center
RSVP this event space is limited to the first 180 people for each reservation time. ***RSVP by end of day on the Thursday prior to each event. Please note this event is open to members and non-members on a first come, first-serve basis.
Cost: $30/adult and $18 per child
Member Cost: $25/adult and $15 per child (Cost includes breakfast, a souvenir photo & Santa and Friends Meet & Greet)

Photos with Santa

Meet Santa and capture the special memory with your keepsake Santa photo.

Ice Skating

Glide across the ice on the area’s only outdoor ice rink included with your Festival of Lights admission.

Holiday 3D Films

Enjoy holiday film complements of National Geographic, discover the heart of the world Jerusalem 3D, the beautiful animals trees and plants in Backyard Wilderness on the largest screen in Texas

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 4D

Enjoy the beloved animated television classic as the magic of 4D engages all of your senses. You’ll recognize classic songs and dialogue brought to life by loveable, iconic characters – the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the elf, Santa Claus and, of course, Rudolph “the most famous reindeer of all.”

Arctic Slide

Enjoy the fun with a festive glide down the Arctic Slide.

Train Rides

Enjoy the holiday lights and music as the train takes you along a section of the Festival of Lights trail.

Festival of Lights
Brighten up the holidays with a tradition for families and groups alike. Free to the public walk a mile-long trail with more than one million lights and lighted scenes take you around the Moody Gardens property with spectacular views Galveston Bay. Enjoy the area’s only outdoor skating rink, concession areas with hot chocolate and festive food, holiday buffets, live entertainment and more

Cirque Joyeux Noel
Dec. 21 – Jan. 4 (Excludes Dec. 26) • Moody Gardens Hotel - Enjoy a spectacular, exhilarating and joyous celebration of the holiday season with an enchanting mix of fantastic food, circus and music. Matinees start at $29 • Dinner and Show starts at $59. For more info call 409-683-4186.

2019 New Year's Palooza at Moody Gardens Hotel
Dec. 31 - Jan 1 - End the New Year with fun activities for the entire family to enjoy with interactive games, festive food, music and a VIP area to enjoy fireworks! We ring in 2019 at the stroke of 9 PM with our balloon ball drop as your room awaits with this spectacular hotel package!