Calendar of Events
What’s happening on the byway? Get the latest information here. From music festivals to regattas to street fairs, you won’t miss a thing.
Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show
07/09/2025 - 07/12/2025
Pensacola, FL 32508
(850) 452-3604
Locals and visitors from all over look forward to the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show held every summer in July. The show highlights our hometown heroes the Blue Angels the U. S. Navy's flight demonstration squadron stationed at Forrest Sherman Field aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Blues hold several practice sessions along the beach in the days leading up to the big event on show day.
See the website for the scheduled events.
Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf
07/11/2025 - 07/12/2025
4673 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 224-1900
Sometimes things come together at the right place and the right time to create something truly unique. The Blue Marlin Grand Championship is a result of one such magic combination.
The right team.
With the tournament experience and knowledge to create a hybrid tournament scoring system emphasizing released Billfish.
The right venue.
Unlike any other on the Gulf Coast. The magnificent Wharf Entertainment Complex under the leadership of Art Favre.
These ingredients, and many others, led to the creation of the Billfish Tournament, which has become known as the Greatest Show In Sportfishing.
Well-thought-out and carefully executed tournament parties and events centered around the marina and its upland amenities. A weigh-in arena and a spectacular experience unlike anywhere in the world.
The Blue Marlin Grand Championship is not only the finale of the acclaimed Gulf Coast Triple Crown Series- but a tournament experience you simply don't want to miss.
We'll even throw in a little Southern glamour for good measure.
It happens each July at the Wharf.
Flora-Bama Bulls on the Beach
09/04/2025 - 09/06/2025
17401 Perdido Key Dr., Perdido Key, FL 32507
(850) 492-0611
Get your tickets early because Bulls On The Beach is one of Flora-Bama's most anticipated events of the year! Bring the family out to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush with three nights of live rodeo action featuring Professional Bull Riders from all around the country! A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Join us Thursday for Kid's Night! Kids 12 and under can participate in a coloring contest and a bike giveaway for both a lucky little boy and girl (see website for more info), followed by Professional Bull Riding to round out the night. Friday and Saturday night will feature the Professional Bull Riders in the adult Bull Riding Competition. We look forward to seeing you there!
Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon
09/06/2025 - 09/06/2025
101 Gulf Shores Pkwy., Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(615) 415-3520
Enjoy a beautiful gulf swim and a fast, flat bike and run course at a great venue!
Team Magic is very excited to partner again with Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Sports & Events, the City of Gulf Shores, the City of Orange Beach and Gulf State Park to bring you this great destination triathlon! The Brett-Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon and it's little sister, the Coastal "Tri-It-On" Triathlon, will be sponsored by Brett-Robinson and hosted by The Hangout.
Choose from an Olympic distance triathlon or a beginner-friendly sprint triathlon - either way, the party is on us.
Orange Beach Freedom Fest
09/20/2025 - 09/21/2025
23101 Canal Rd., Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 224-1000
SAVE THE NEW DATES!
Orange Beach Freedom Fest returns in 2025 with new dates!
The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21 with the Bama Coast Cruisin' Fall Car Show kicking off the weekend on Friday, Sept. 19.
Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup
09/20/2025 - 09/20/2025
gulf shores, AL
(251) 928-9792
Residents, visitors, individuals, and organizations are invited to "get the trash out of the splash" by picking up trash littering Alabama coasts and waterways.
Take part in Alabama's largest annual volunteer event as we clean our neighborhoods, local parks, streets, and storm drains. Why is this important? Trash travels through storm drains and rivers to become bay and Gulf pollution. Picking up litter benefits you, your community, and the Gulf!
Volunteers are needed on foot and on water. Alabama Coastal Cleanup provides a t-shirt and clean-up supplies to participants who collect trash.
The Annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest
10/03/2025 - 10/05/2025
30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527
(251) 990-5004
We anticipate this event occurring around these estimated dates. Once we learn the confirmed dates, we will update this page. Meanwhile, read about last year's event details below.
Birders and nature lovers from across the United States and Canada flock to South Alabama every year to experience one of the prime birdwatching opportunities on the Gulf Coast during fall migration. More than 370 bird species have been spotted at various locations along the Alabama coast, and BirdFest guides expertly lead attendees on boat and walking trips to some of the best birding spots in the area, including locations along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.
Alabama Coastal BirdFest takes attendees into the Mobile Delta, to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, historic Fort Morgan, and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, among other locations. The four-day event also includes workshops on subjects such as hummingbirds, the basics of birding, monarch butterflies, and, new this year, workshops on how to use common birding apps, such as eBird and Merlin Bird ID, and understanding bird box design for specific species. A free family-friendly Bird and Conservation Expo will be held at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Saturday of BirdFest. The Expo highlights other local non-profits and environmental agencies, hands-on activities, and short boat cruises led by a junior birder!
Since 2004, BirdFest has raised more than $100,000 to help preserve and protect vital coastal bird and wildlife habitats and increase awareness of the Alabama Gulf Coast's great biological diversity.
The Annual National Shrimp Festival
10/09/2025 - 10/12/2025
101 Gulf Shores Pkwy., Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 968-7200
Savor fresh from the Gulf seafood at the Annual National Shrimp Festival during this four-day event that attracts over 300,000 people. The festival will host more than 100 hours of musical entertainment featuring a lineup of national, regional, and local acts. There will be musical acts to please all palates, including blues, Motown, southern rock, jazz, zydeco, and country. The music plays daily, Thursday through Sunday.
Food is another festival highlight, with 50 local and regional vendors lining the boardwalk at the public beach with mouth-watering delights.
Art lovers will have many booths of fine art and arts and crafts vendors from which to choose.
Gulf Coast Fungi Festival
10/17/2025 - 10/19/2025
12562 Mary Anne Beach Rd, Fairhope, AL
(251) 202-3060?
Join us for the third annual Gulf Coast Fungi Festival!
Celebrate the incredible world of fungi, nature, music, and community at the Gulf Coast Fungi Festival! This year, we're bringing you an unforgettable weekend filled with education, entertainment, and connection. Whether you're a mycology enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique experience, there's something for everyone.
What to Expect:
- Exciting Activities & Workshops: Guided mushroom foraging tours, cooking demos, creative workshops, and expert-led lectures.
- Live Music & Performances: Groove to an amazing lineup of local and regional artists.
Vendor Village:
- Open to the public! Explore unique crafts, delicious food, and artisanal goods.
Family-Friendly Fun:
- Kids 12 and under attend for free!
Camping Options:
- Stay close to the action with tent or RV camping (passes sold separately). Gather around community campfires and soak in the full festival vibe!
Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind celebration of fungi, sustainability, and community. Grab your tickets today and join us in Fairhope for an unforgettable weekend!
2025 Parrot Heads in Paradise “Meeting of the Minds”
10/22/2025 - 10/26/2025
101 E. Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542-
(251) 948-3030
"Keep the Party Going" at the Parrot Heads in Paradise Event!
Get ready to Keep the Party Going at the Meeting of the Minds in Gulf Shores for the 2025 "Parrot Heads in Paradise" convention! Thousands of Jimmy Buffett fans flock to Alabama's Beaches to celebrate the laid-back island lifestyle we all know and love. It's the ultimate coastal gathering with the party that never stops!
The Meeting of the Minds found its new home in Gulf Shores in 2023 after making the move from Key West, and we're so excited to keep this tradition going on the stunning Alabama's Beaches!
Not a MOTM member yet? No problem! You can easily register HERE to join in on the fun. Day passes are also available at the gate for a quick entry into all the events.
The main stage is at The Hangout, and with other local hotspots, like LuLu's and Flora-Bama, hosting parties, the energy is non-stop! Enjoy special "Cheeseburger in Paradise" offerings and more throughout the week while you dance to live music, mingle with fellow Parrot Heads, and live the tropical dream!
Come to Gulf Shores and Keep the Party Going with your fellow Parrot Heads. Let the good times roll, and make this one unforgettable year!
The Original German Sausage Festival
10/25/2025 - 10/25/2025
13052 Main St., Elberta, AL 36530
Join us at the German Sausage Festival for Elberta's famous "One With Two Without" German sausage & sauerkraut, plus continuous entertainment for adults and children, and over 200 arts & crafts booths. Other scrumptious foods will include German-style filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans & rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, popcorn and peanuts. There will be baked goods and arts & crafts for sale at the festival. Carnival rides, polka, country, contemporary and German music will also be provided for entertainment.
The sausage festival is a town fund-raiser, spearheaded by Elberta's Volunteer Fire Department in 1978, whose proceeds are used for improving not only the fire department but the town as well. Additionally, local non-profit organizations also benefit from the festival through proceeds from their booth sales and parking lot fees. Due to its huge success, the festival is now held twice a year on the last Saturday of March and October.
Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival
11/06/2025 - 11/16/2025
*** 32507
(850) 492-7664
The 41st Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival will feature over 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters in venues along the Florida / Alabama Gulf Coast from November 6-16, 2025.
The festival is an opportunity for seasoned and aspiring songwriters and musicians from all over the world to have their songs heard and for the public to learn the stories behind the lyrics that only the song's author can express.
During this exciting 11-day festival, you will listen to everyone from Grammy Award winners to upcoming new talent.
Coastal Alabama Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
11/08/2025 - 11/09/2025
101 Gulf Shores Pkwy., Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 968-2040
Food Truck Festivals of America is bringing the 3rd Annual Coastal Alabama Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival back to Town Green area of Gulf Shores. The festival will be a weekend of craft beer, great food, lawn games and fun for the whole family. Most importantly - bring your friends and family, lawn chairs, blankets, and soak in the sun!
The event runs rain or shine!
Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home
11/27/2025 - 01/05/2026
12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd., Theodore, AL 36582
(251) 973-2217
We anticipate this event occurring around these estimated dates. Once we learn the confirmed dates, we will update this page. Meanwhile, read about last year's event details below.
Explore the enchanting 29th Annual Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home a festive paradise on the Gulf Coast. Wander through a dazzling 65-acre Garden estate adorned with thousands of lights. The Bellingrath Home adds to the ambiance with holiday finery and poinsettias.
Discover the magic of Alabama as our dedicated staff crafts each holiday light set piece with passion. Immerse yourself in the season's sounds with live musical performances.
Savor the festive spirit with delectable holiday treats and warm beverages. From seasonal delights to classics, there's something for everyone. Craft lasting memories with family and friends against the radiant backdrop of our displays. Bellingrath Gardens and Home's Magic Christmas in Lights is a cherished tradition that brings people together in the true spirit of the season.
In this Gulf Coast holiday tradition, guests stroll through a dazzling light display that features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 16 scenes throughout the 65-acre Garden estate.
(The show is closed only on Christmas and New Year's days.)
In 2022, Bellingrath Gardens and Home was named No. 9 in USA Today's list of the Top 10 Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights. Bellingrath's show is the only one in the Southeast that made the list.
The Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
12/13/2025 - 12/13/2025
200 East 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 967-5858
We anticipate this event occurring around this estimated date. Once we learn the confirmed date, we will update this page. Meanwhile, read about last year's event details below.
Come by LuLu's for a magical night on the Waterway Village with LuLu's Lighted Boat Parade!
We like to celebrate the holidays in Gulf Coast style with brightly decorated boats to light the night! Arrive early if you want a table and stick around for the festivities.
The boats will leave LuLu's Gulf Shores and Homeport Marina at dusk and head to the Wharf in Orange Beach. The boats will be visible along the canal from Gulf Shores or Orange Beach.
The Big Beach Marathon
01/24/2026 - 01/25/2026
101 E. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-3030
The Big Beach Marathon and Half Marathon take place in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama. The courses are flat and fast, running on the fully paved trails through Gulf State Park, with the start and finish located at The Hangout. In addition to Sunday's Marathon and Half Marathon, the Safari 7K on Saturday gives attendees an opportunity to take on the Shark or Dolphin challenge!
Run the 7K Saturday and the full or half marathon Sunday to secure medals, cool shirts, extra beer tickets and the ultimate bragging rights. We can't wait to see you at Big Beach!
Mystics of Pleasure
02/14/2026 - 02/14/2026
24281 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
The parades by the mystic societies in Orange Beach roll at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. In 2026, it's February 14.
The Marshals parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Mystics of Pleasure at 6 p.m. There will be a slight gap between the parades. All parade routes on Perdido Beach Boulevard start at the traffic signal at Wolf Bay Lodge, east of Phoenix West, and travel east, ending at the intersection at Highway 161 and Perdido Beach Boulevard, just past the Publix shopping center. At the median, which begins at the Romar Beach Access, the parades will move to the eastbound lanes (southside of the beach highway.)
The Marshals Parade
02/14/2026 - 02/14/2026
24281 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
The Marshals parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Mystics of Pleasure at 6 p.m. There will be a slight gap between the parades.
All parade routes on Perdido Beach Boulevard start at the traffic signal just east of Phoenix West and travel east, ending at the intersection at Highway 161 and Perdido Beach Boulevard, just past the Publix shopping center. At the median, the parades will move to the eastbound lanes (southside of the beach highway).
Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade
02/17/2026 - 02/17/2026
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
This history of the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade dates back to 1978 when a group of locals decided Gulf Shores needed a parade. Those locals formed the Pleasure Island Players and thus Mardi Gras began in Gulf Shores. A year later the Mystic Order of Shiners joined the Pleasure Island Players to become what is now the oldest parading order in Baldwin County.
Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade
02/17/2026 - 02/17/2026
24131 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL 36561
The Orange Beach Parade started as a loose confederation of large and small groups that wanted to parade by the beach. The city of Orange Beach stepped in and took over the parade's planning. It's still open to participation by just about anybody, even groups outside of Orange Beach.
The Mystical Maids of Miram and the Mystics of Pleasure contribute to the parade, as do groups from Foley to Perdido Key. Even groups that parade in Gulf Shores earlier in the day move up the road to be in the Orange Beach procession.
Annual Fort Morgan Oyster Fest
02/28/2026 - 03/01/2026
925 Beach Club Trl., Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 224-2500
Whether you like 'em naked or dressed to impress, Sassy Bass, The Beach Club Resort and Spa, and Navy Cove Oysters will be serving up happiness on a half shell at the Annual Fort Morgan Oyster Fest held the last weekend of February each year. Held at The Beach Club Resort and Spa, join us for food, fun, and oyster perfection.
We'll be serving up Navy Cove and other Fort Morgan oysters in several ways, so wear your stretchy pants and bring your appetite! Additional festival food and drinks (including beer and cocktails) will also be available.
Entertainment, Arts and Crafts, and Contests
When you're not slurping down your favorite seafood, tap your toes to great live music on the music stage, where bands will perform throughout the day. Alabama-based arts and crafts vendors will be on-site for browsing. You can also enjoy a host of fun games, contests, and kid's crafts and activities throughout the day. Practice your oyster-shucking skills, and you may be invited to enter the Oyster Shucking Contest!
There is an Admission fee to the festival, which includes all-you-can-eat oysters!
Ballyhoo Festival
03/07/2026 - 03/08/2026
20115 State Hwy. 135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Event Schedule:
Saturday- 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Annual Ballyhoo Festival features the juried fine art of 100 artists and combines that with a unique focus on cultural exchange. The history of the Poarch Creek Indians is presented on Saturday of the festival with historical narrative and original tribal dance in ceremonial regalia. The meaning of each dance is described by the PCI Cultural Director.
The Ballyhoo Festival cultural exchange on Sunday is in the form of Early Americana music with a Fiddle/Banjo Competition and performances by some of the best musicians in the Southeast.
The Children's Art Pavilion, local bands, a wide variety of food, art demonstrations and the hospitality of the fun-loving residents of Coastal Alabama make this an event you do not want to miss.
Let's Ballyhoo!
Orange Beach Festival of Art
03/14/2026 - 03/15/2026
26389 Canal Rd., Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-2787
The Orange Beach Festival of Art celebrates an extraordinary variety of arts, including visual, performing, musical and culinary arts. With more than 100 vendors displaying a variety of media, festival attendees will have plenty to see, touch, taste and hear. The event also has a kid's art alley, a culinary arts court featuring local fare, and a music and songwriter's stage.
For more details and information on parking, please visit our website.
Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
03/20/2026 - 03/22/2026
Fairhope, AL
(251) 229-1874
The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival Foundation takes place in beautiful downtown Fairhope.
The Festival was recently named one of the TOP 15 art shows in the nation by the prestigious Sunshine Artist Magazine in their annual ranking of the nation's top festivals.
See the event website for more information on parking, entertainment, and artists.
The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show
03/20/2026 - 03/22/2026
4550 Main St., Orange Beach, AL 36561
(850) 252-2592
Featuring over $100 million in boats and marine products, and more than 120 exhibiting companies, it's the "Top Boat Buying Show" in the northern Gulf. Take in a display of 120 wet slip boats and yachts, 700+ center and dual console boats on land, live music, tons of exhibitors to explore, instructional seminars + so much more!. There's something for everyone from an entry-level boater to a seasoned veteran.
Bama Coast Cruisin’
04/23/2026 - 04/25/2026
4830 Main St., Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 224-1000
The Annual Bama Coast Cruisin' will be held at the Wharf Resort and Marina in Orange Beach. Come and see the beautiful cars on display at The Wharf, and enjoy a day of shopping and dining at one of The Wharf's several delicious restaurants.
Bama Coast Cruisin'is an absolutely stunning show set against the backdrop of the Inter-Coastal Waterway and the Canal Bridge. It's a laid-back, family-friendly weekend full of amazing cars, fun events, entertainment and Southern hospitality.
Flora-Bama Interstate Mullet Toss & Greatest Beach Party
04/24/2026 - 04/26/2026
17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
(850) 492-0611
GET READY FOR THE INTERSTATE MULLET TOSS! This year, we're letting it all fly!
The Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party is legendary. 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.
Hotel bookings are done months, if not years in advance for this event. People travel from across the globe to see what all the fuss is about here at the Flora-Bama; the memories are priceless.
See the event website for all the details!
Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
04/30/2026 - 05/02/2026
100 N. OWA Blvd, Foley, AL 36535
(251) 943-3291
Foley is the spot for high-flying adventure and family fun at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. 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.
Admission is FREE!
Mobile Big Game Fishing Club’s Gulf Coast Masters
05/20/2026 - 05/24/2026
27075 Marina Rd., Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-4207