2023s Can’t-Miss Beach Events in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Have you turned on your 2023 vision and seen yourself lounging on the beautiful beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast? Us, too! Though we love a good beach day, the beach offers guests a variety of can’t-miss events in Gulf Shores. Whether you’re tantalizing your palate at a seafood festival or gazing at masterful art exhibits at a craft show, there’s something new and exciting to experience on our beaches year-round. So mark your calendars and book your Gulf Shores condo rental, because here are your can’t-miss beach events in Gulf Shores for 2023.

Fort Morgan Oyster Fest

The Beach Club Resort & Spa, Gulf Shores AL
Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 10am to 4pm

Shell-ebrate your love of fresh Gulf Coast oysters as you sample a pearl-fect selection of locally-farmed oysters prepared in a variety of delicious ways. We’re hosting this years’ event right here at The Beach Club, where you can dine on oysters from Navy Cove Oysters and other Fort Morgan farms that are just minutes from our resort (it doesn’t get fresher than that!). Attendees can also enjoy live music, browse arts and crafts vendors, play in the kids’ area, and enjoy tons of family fun. Tickets are $25 and include 10 food and drink tickets. Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased on EventBrite. The event is sponsored by Spectrum Resorts, Sassy Bass, and Navy Cove Oysters.

Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show

The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL
Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 10am to 4pm


The 31st anniversary of this local tradition brings you delicious food, live music, classic cars, and more than 100 local vendors showing off their unique Gulf Coast arts and crafts. Stroll through the boutique shops and craft tents at The Wharf as you sample local delicacies and tap your toes to jams by some of the best area bands. The kids will love playing in the full-scale Kid Zone as you make your way among the unique classic cars lined up for your viewing pleasure. All proceeds benefit local schools and sports teams, so bring the whole family (even your furry friends are welcome!)

Mardi Gras

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach
February 202
3

Mardi Gras is a famed local tradition that began in Mobile in 1704. This rowdy yet fun holiday features street parades full of intricately designed floats from which members toss beads, candy, pies, and other festive trinkets to those watching below. It’s a favorite time of year for locals and visitors alike, so don’t miss your chance to join in the fun and catch a Moon Pie! Gulf Shores and Orange Beach both boast a family-friendly Carnival season.

In Gulf Shores, you can attend the city’s annual parade at 10am on Tuesday, February 21 at 10am. At 3pm, head over to LuLu’s for the annual Mardi Gras Celebration and Boat Parade, where you’ll enjoy live music, delicious local seafood, and signature cocktails as you catch beads from the waves of the bay. It’s one of the most-anticipated Mardi Gras events in Gulf Shores!

The City of Orange Beach will hold its annual parade on Tuesday, February 21 at 2pm along the same Perdido Beach Blvd. route. For a family-friendly Mardi Gras event, head over to The Wharf on Monday, February 20 for “Moon Pies On Main”, an evening festival that begins at 4pm with a kid and pet parade and is followed by a full-fledged Mardi Gras street party at 6pm.

Festival of Art

Orange Beach Waterfront Park, Orange Beach AL
March 11-12, 2023

Welcome in the spring season at the 49th annual Festival of Arts in Orange Beach. This free festival tantalizes the senses by offering a large variety of local arts and crafts in mixed mediums that are sure to give festival-goers plenty of things to see, touch, hear, and experience. From live music by local songwriters to a culinary arts section and a full kids’ art area, there will be plenty of fun activities here for the whole family.

The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show

The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach AL
March 17-19, 2023


This three-day boating bonanza features over $100 million in boats and marine products from more than 120 exhibiting companies. Located at The Wharf Marina, the show features a stunning array of wet slip boats and yachts, sport boats, and consoles for those with an eye for vibrant vessels. Visitors can also enjoy live music, boating seminars, kids art classes, and more.

Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party

Flora-Bama, Orange Beach, AL
April 28-30, 2023

This legendary beach party sees thousands of beach-lovers come together to enjoy listening to live music, relaxing on the gulf coast beaches, and throwing mullets (the fish, not the hairstyle) across the Alabama-Florida state line. Attendees enjoy signature cocktails, delicious local seafood, and plenty of fun beach activities. All proceeds benefit local youth organizations, and it’s only $15 to toss a mullet (and you get a sweet t-shirt)

NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship

Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf Shores, AL
May 5-7, 2023

Serve up some fun at the 2023 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship in Gulf Shores. Named the “Best New Event” for collegiate beach volleyball by SportsTravel in 2016, this beachfront competition features 16 sponsoring schools as they serve, spike, and score their way to the championship volleyball spot. Come out to enjoy competitive fun and stunning Gulf views as you support our youth sports teams on some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Don’t miss one of the most exciting events in Gulf Shores for beach volleyball-loving fans.

Hangout Music Fest

The Hangout, Gulf Shores, AL
May 19-21, 202
3

Interested in seeing your favorite Grammy-winning artists and bands as you soak up some sun and surf on some of the most beautiful beaches in the country? Then Hangout Music Fest is for you! It’s one of the hottest music events in Gulf Shores! This renowned three-day festival features some of the most popular music groups in the country, playing live on stages that sit front-row on the sandy shores of Gulf Shores. Accommodation and ticket packages are available!

Orange Beach Billfish Classic

The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL
May 16-21, 202
3

The 27th annual Billfish Classic offers more than $1 million in prize money and national bragging rights to those who haul in the largest catch. Join anglers from all over the country and set your sights on your own personal Moby Dick (or at least the biggest billfish in the Gulf) as you compete in one (or all) of five high-profile fishing tournaments with your team. Even if you’re not on board, there’s plenty of food and fun to be had onshore as watchers wait to see a record-breaking catch!

Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf

The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL
July 12-16, 2023


Recognized as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast, the annual Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf is “The Greatest Show In Sportfishing!” More than 60 of the best big game fishing teams in the world are invited to Orange Beach to test their reels against the biggest Marlin in the Gulf for over $1.5 million in prize money. Thousands of fans gather at The Wharf’s entertainment district each year to watch the broadcasted weigh-ins, enjoy good food and custom cocktails, and celebrate the victors. Whether you’re a fishing enthusiast or just looking for a good time, you’ll find plenty of both at this one-of-a-kind event.

Shrimp Fest

Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf Shores, AL
October 12-15, 2023


Join more than 300,000 of your closest friends at this delish four-day festival dedicated to one of our favorite crustaceans. Over 10,000 pounds of shrimp will be fried, grilled, sauteed and stuffed each day, making it a guarantee that you’ll find a new favorite dish. Enjoy more than 100 hours of live music, hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, a full-scale kids play village – and of course, all of the seafood you can stomach. It’s one of the biggest events in Gulf Shores, so don’t miss it!

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach
November 9-19, 2023


Wind your way through some of the best music venues on Alabama’s beaches as you celebrate the talent and ingenuity of some of the best songwriters in the business. This exciting 10-day event features music from more than 200 talented songwriters in over two dozen venues all along the Alabama Gulf Coast. You’ll enjoy original songs from aspiring musicians and songwriters, as well as a unique opportunity to hear about their creation straight from the source.

Plan your 2023 vacation around some of the biggest and best events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!