If you’re looking for reasons to plan a beach vacation in 2015, get your calendar handy because there are plenty of big events and beach festivals to fill the dates. Here are just a few of the dates you’ll want to pencil in to make the most of your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation.
41st Festival of Art
March 14-15
Painters, potters, crafters, sculptors and more will be the center of attention during the annual Festival of Art held on the grounds of the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach. Enjoy waterfront views while browsing the art of local and regional artisans. You’ll also be treated to live music, Kid’s Art Alley and more. Shuttles will be available from The Wharf for $2 per person, each way.
Wharf Boat and Yacht Show
March 19-22
If sun and saltwater is in your soul, don’t miss the largest in-water display of boats and yachts on the upper Gulf Coast. Prospective buyers can even test drive their potential new boats. More than 100 in-water vessels and more than 200 boats on trailers will be exhibited, totaling $61 million in boat values. The latest in marine electronics, fishing tackle and outdoor equipment will also be on display.
11th Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
May 1-2
Located in nearby Foley, this event welcomes hot air balloonists from across the country. The nightly balloon glows are a must-see event. The weekend is filled with free, family entertainment, including daily live music and the Disc Connected K-9 World Famous Frisbee Dog Show. Festival foods, as well as arts and crafts with onsite demonstrations will also be available.
Waves of Wine at the Orange Beach Wine Festival
May 9
More than 150 wines will be available for sampling, as well as culinary delights from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores restaurants. In addition to live music, ticket holders will also be treated to a cruise of the bay. New this year is a craft beer sampling.
Hangout Music Festival
May 15-17
Get ready to rock your flip flops off at the 6th Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores. This year’s three-day beach music festival boasts headliners including Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band and Beck, as well as Skrillex, Paramore and many more bands and entertainers. Shuttles will be available from numerous points throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Shindig on the Sand
June 5-7
Music lovers won’t want to miss the annual Shindig on the Sand at the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar. There will be more than 70 musical acts. Past acts have included Taylor Hicks, Billy Currington, Shawna P, Grayson Capps and more.
4th Alabama Festival of Flavor
Oct. 3
Foodies, be sure to mark your calendar for the annual Alabama Festival of Flavor held in nearby Foley. This annual event showcases the flavors of local and regional foods, wine and craft beer. Local chefs will prepare unique dishes and brewers from around the state will talk the trade of creating their unique craft beers.
44th National Shrimp Festival
Oct. 8-11
Celebrate one of our favorite crustaceans with us at the annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores this fall. This four-day event attracts more than 300,000 people, and with good reason. The festival is packed with delicious food, daily music, arts and crafts, as well as fine arts, a Children’s Activity Village and more. Two hundred pounds of shrimp will be prepared by some of the Alabama Gulf Coast’s best chefs each day of the festival.
31st Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival
Nov. 5-15
For 10 days, music lovers will be treated to music by Grammy-winning songwriters and up-and-coming musicians in multiple venues throughout Perdido Key and Pensacola, Florida to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Nearly 200 songwriters come to the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coasts for this annual event.
8th Oyster Cook Off at The Hangout
Nov. 6-8
Celebrity chefs from across the county, as well as well-known Alabama Gulf Coast restauranteurs will compete and prepare delicious oysters for ticket holders. In addition, more than 60 craft beers will be available for sampling. The event is free, but tickets will be sold for the oyster and craft beer tastings.