Alabama Festivals
Annual Events on the Alabama Gulf Coast

There is always something fun to do on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Numerous festivals are held at different times throughout the year. If your vacation coincides with one of these Alabama festivals, try to fit it into your plans.

• National Shrimp Festival

The National Shrimp Festival is held on the pristine beaches of Gulf Shores. The festival runs for four days during the first full week of October each year. It is one of the biggest Alabama festivals and admission is free.

There is much to do as there are about 300 vendors at the Shrimp Festival. There are a variety of things for sale but most importantly, shrimp! Glorious shrimp can be found cooked in more ways than you could count.

Fine art displays as well as unique arts and crafts are showcased at the National Shrimp Festival. Live musical entertainment, both regional and national performers, is abundant on two stage. The Children’s Activity Village has many activities for children and they can even make their own artwork. The Sand Sculpture Contest is definitely great fun for the entire family.

• Orange Beach Seafood Festival

The Orange Beach Seafood Festival is held in mid-February every year. It is held at the Orange Beach Sportsplex and the admission is free!

The silent auctions feature donated items from local merchants. There is a Kid’s Zone which has loads of things to occupy the kids. The best thing is that you can get a plate of delectable Alabama seafood for just ten bucks! All proceeds benefit youth sports so not only do you get an awesome meal but you’re helping kids too.

• Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival

The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival is held in March on the lovely streets of downtown Fairhope, Alabama. The art exhibits are plentiful as artists and crafters from the entire nation flock to this celebration of spring. There is constant live entertainment and there are vendors galore. The wide variety of unique and tasty food offerings will please all. There is no charge for admission.

• Elberta German Sausage Festival

The Elberta German Sausage Festival is held on the last Saturdays in March and October. This Alabama festival is held at the park and admission is free. The sausage sandwiches are delectable and priced reasonably. Many vendors sell a variety of crafts, and the live entertainment is great.

• Baldwin County Strawberry Festival

The Baldwin County Strawberry Festival is held in April at the Loxley Municipal Park. There are numerous vendors selling their wares and numerous food booths as well. The antique tractor show and car show is a highlight. The Little Miss Strawberry Pageant is very usual-- the only contestants are second grade girls from Baldwin County. There is live entertainment throughout the day. Admission to the festival is free.

• Foley Art in the Park

The Art in the Park is held annually at John B. Foley Park in Foley, Alabama, on Mother’s Day weekend. Numerous artists display their works. There are exhibitions of pottery, sculpture, wood, oil and so many more mediums. Children will enjoy the face painting and hands-on activity area. You can enjoy live entertainment while devouring tasty fare from the many vendors. Admission to Art in the Park is free.

• Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival

The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival runs for 10 days every November. There are many venues involved in making this Alabama festival a success. You can go to any of the local venues to see and hear original songs performed by the songwriters themselves. There are Grammy Award winners playing back to back with up and coming songwriters.

• Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

The featured attractions at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival are the balloon competitions, but there is more there than that. There are dozens of vendors selling a variety of items. There are also a host of food booths offering different types of Southern fare. The festival is held in Foley, Alabama on Father’s Day weekend in June.

Check out one of these great Alabama festivals!


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