There’s always something special happening in town. With flavorful food, inspiring art, rich local history, and more, our guests are never bored! Peruse our curated list of events in Gulf Shores, Alabama and the surrounding areas. Also be sure to check out our blog to find out more about the great Activities in Gulf Shores!

Check out the top events and festivals throughout the year in Fairhope, Orange Beach and Foley, Alabama. Baldwin County hosts incredible events throughout the year that you do not want to miss.

December, 2023
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Sat-Sun December 9-10, 2023 Holly Days On Main at The Wharf

Enjoy arts and crafts vendors, special performances, a lighted boat parade and more. It’s guaranteed to be two days of jam-packed holiday fun thanks to the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber.

Free Admission & Parking

Website

January, 2024
Day(s)Date(s)Event
Sat January 27, 2024 Gumbo & Alabama Slammer Festival
Gumbo & Alabama Slammer Festival
Enjoy unique, tasty gumbo dishes along with other menu items for purchase.

Gumbo & Alabama Slammer Festival
Food Trucks
Beer and Wine
Great live music all day
Kid Zone

Admission:$5 Entry – 12 & under free entry

February, 2024
Day(s)Date(s)Event
Tues-Tues February 6-13, 2024 Mardi Gras Gulf Coast Parades

Gulf Shores event parade

Mobile is the original birthplace of Mardi Gras. Revelry has spread throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast offering good times and great food. Many beach towns pride themselves with presentations of the royal court, dancing and costumes. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Foley, Daphne…some hosting several parades and Mobile a multitude of them.

Parades & Events Schedules

Sat February 24, 2024 Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show

Gulf Shores car show

10am-4pm The annual festival features a full day of delicious food, 100+ artists from throughout the South, and music for the whole family to enjoy on two stages. In addition, there is a large Kids’ Zone with activities, and a huge car show – featuring antique, classic and hot rod vehicles all along Main Street.

There is no admission charge to the event and plenty of parking.

More Info

March, 2024
Day(s)Date(s)Event
Sat March 9, 2024 BBQ & Blues Cookoff

Pulled pork at a Foley, Alabama food fair

An outdoor food and music event held in Downtown Foley’s Heritage Park the second Saturday of March, an Alabama Barbecue Association Trail and Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event

More Info

Sat-Sun March 9-10, 2024 Orange Beach Festival of Art

For more than 49 years, the Festival of Art has been our island’s first rite of spring. It is a celebration of visual, performing, musical and culinary arts. The show was selected as Best Art Show in Alabama for three of the past four years by the luxury maazine “ALABAMA” and is currently ranked nationally at #25 for the top 100 fine art and design shows.

This fine arts festival is completely free with music and entertainment featured on two stages. You can be a part of it by volunteering or purchaing art through our Patron of the Arts program.  There are multiple parking options.

Fri-Sun March 15-17, 2024 Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival

Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival

Festival hours are Friday thru Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is free to the public. More than 200 exhibitors from all over the country will bring their best works.

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Sat March 30, 2024 Elberta German Sausage Festival

Elberta German Sausage Festival

Free Admission. 8am-5pm. German sausage and sauerkraut plus continuous entertainment for adults and children and 250 arts & crafts booths. Of course, there will also be a Bier Garten featuring a large selection of imported and domestic beers. Proceeds benefit Elberta Volunteer Fire Dept.

More Info

Sat March 30, 2024 The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show / Orange Beach

Boat parade in the Gulf Shores of Alabama

Over $150 million in boats and marine products on display. More than 135 wet slip boats and yachts on display and 600+ trailered boats.

More Info

April, 2024
Day(s)Date(s)Event
Sat-Sun April 20-21, 2024 Waterway Village Zydeco Music & Crawfish Festival & 5K Run / Gulf Shores, AL

 

10am-6pm. Free admission. The festival boils up a beaucoup of fun! Sink your teeth into hot, juicy, lip-smacking crawfish throughout the day while dancing to the infectious rhythms of some of the best Zydeco bands. There will be arts and crafts vendors as well as children’s activities offering nonstop fun for all ages.

More Info

Sat-Sun April 26-27, 2024 Bama Coast Cruisin' Car Show

At The Wharf in Orange Beach This fun family-friendly event is open to the public with free parking and admission. Come out and see some of the most beautiful cars in the country at the most unique venue on Alabama’s Gulf Coast!

More Info

Thurs-Sun April 26-28, 2024 Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party

Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party

What started as just a reason to party has become one of the biggest beach parties on the coast. Those who participate in the Mullet Toss will throw a dead mullet over the state line of Florida and Alabama to see who gets the farthest.

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Sat April 27, 2024 Weeks Bay Foundation Bald Eagle Bash / Magnolia Springs, AL

Weeks Bay Foundation Bald Eagle Bash

Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center, Weeks Bay Foundation’s largest event. Cap off Earth Day watching the sunset over Weeks Bay while enjoying fresh local seafood and listening to awesome local music for a great cause.

More Info

May, 2024
Day(s)Date(s)Event
Fri-Sun May 2-4, 2024 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival / Foley, AL

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

Free Admission. High-flying adventure and family fun. Enjoy the entertainment, arts and crafts displays and more at the festival site daily. Balloon flights, glows and tethered rides (weather permitting) add to the fun at dawn and dusk.

More Info

Sat-Sun May 11-12, 2024 Art In The Park / Foley, AL

 

Foley, AL Art In The Park

9am-4pm. John B Foley Park in downtown. Free Admission. Over 100 artists showcase their talents while providing unique, handcrafted cultural experiences and shopping opportunities.

More Info

Tues-Sun May 14-19, 2024 Orange Beach Billfish Classic

Boats at the Orange Beach Billfish Classic

The OBBC includes tuna, wahoo and dolphin (mahi) in it’s optional cash categories but is primarily a blue marlin tournament and traditionally attracts first rate, competitive fishing teams with a passion for sportfishing from across the Gulf of Mexico. Prize money, not including optional cash categories, pays out to landed blue marlin and catch and release billfish.

More Info

Fri-Sun May 16-19, 2024 Hangout Music Festival / Gulf Shores, AL

Hangout Music Festival in the Gulf Shores, AL

Ticket Rates Vary. Ages 18 and up welcome. Lineup and schedule subject to change. The show will take place rain or shine.

Drive: 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Fly: The Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is just 45 minutes from Gulf Shores and the festival.

Ticket Info

June, 2024
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No Events this Month
July, 2024
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Wed-Sun July 10-14, 2024 Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf Fishing Tournament / Orange Beach, AL

Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf Fishing Tournament

5-day event. Free Admission. The Greatest show in sport-fishing. Benefits St Judes Children’s Hospital. Daily weigh-in on Main St at The Wharf.

More Info

August, 2024
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No Events this Month
September, 2024
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No Events this Month
October, 2024
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No Events this Month
November, 2024
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No Events this Month