Each year, an impressive lineup of annual festivals and events draws thousands of visitors to the streets and beaches of our stretch of the Gulf Coast. A lively combination of food, music, culture, and art—the Alabama Gulf Coast offers fun-filled events for visitors of all ages.
Next to the sun, sand, and surf, the following events are sure to make your Alabama beach vacation even more memorable!
The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show
Have a love for boating and marine technology? The Wharf Boat & Yacht show was made for you!
The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show Facebook Page
This annual event, held each March at The Wharf, highlights watercraft that range from sport fishing boats to luxury yachts, pontoons, cruisers, and everything in between. The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show features more than $150 million in marine inventory, including fishing tackle, outdoor equipment, and the latest technology in marine electronics.
There’s more to this family-friendly event than boats, though! The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show also features live music, giveaways, boating seminars, and the famous Triple Crown Fighting Chair Challenge benefiting St. Jude Children's Hospital.
National Shrimp Festival
For nearly 50 years, The Annual National Shrimp Festival has drawn substantial crowds and delighted locals and visitors alike. Live music, food vendors, and endless entertainment set the scene for this four-day event, held each October in Gulf Shores, AL.
Annual National Shrimp Festival Facebook Page
Bring your appetite to savor all the fresh seafood cooked by some of the area’s best chefs. Shrimp and seafood aren't the only things to snack on at the festival—there are also more than 50 local vendors lined up with all sorts of sweet and savory treats!
The National Shrimp Festival is the perfect event for the whole family, whether you’re an adventurous foodie looking to sample all the best dishes or just bringing the family out for a good time, you’ll be in for a real treat!
Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
Up, up, and away! Every year in May, more than 40 hot air balloonists from across the country decorate the sky with colorful balloons at dusk and dawn, putting on a vibrant display right in the heart of Foley.
OWA Parks & Resort Facebook Page
This festival features way more than just balloons. The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival recently moved to OWA, where you can enjoy restaurants, retail shopping, and a variety of attractions.
Traditional activities will also be added during this three-day event, including children’s activities, tethered balloon rides, balloon glows, balloons in flight, and art and food vendors. Even better? Admission is free!
Flora-Bama Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party
Have you tossed a fish across the state line? It’s time to check that one off the bucket list!
florabama.com
Every April, excited beach goers flock to Flora-Bama Lounge for the Legendary Interstate Mullet Toss. This big beach party consists of contestants throwing a dead mullet over the Alabama-Florida state line to see which fish travels the farthest!
There is a mullet tossing category for all ages and prizes for winners in each division. In addition to flinging fish, the party continues throughout the weekend with live music, dancing, delicious food, and appearances from local celebrities!
Hangout Fest
How do you make a music festival better? Put it on a beach! The Hangout Music Festival is the perfect combination of a picturesque location with great music.
Hangout Music Festival Facebook Page
Located at The Hangout, guests come from all over the world to relax, eat incredible food, and listen to live music performances from popular artists/bands. While the lineup varies from year to year, Hangout Fest always features a range of music genres, including rock, hip-hop, indie, and electronic.
But good music isn't the only thing you’ll find—this three-day event includes a wide variety of activities, like beach volleyball, a hammock lounge, a Ferris wheel, and a puppy kissing booth!
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