Kick off beach season with a heaping helping of fun activities for the whole family at The Beach Club Resort & Spa. While not officially summer yet, Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend marks the start of beach season. That means a lot of fun, family-friendly activities. Read on for all the best things to do in Gulf Shores, as well as at The Beach Club, for Memorial Day Weekend 2024.
Gulf Shores Memorial Day Weekend Events (2024)
47th Annual 2024 MBGFC Memorial Day Tournament
May 22-26
Orange Beach Marina, 27075 Marina Rd. Orange Beach, AL 36561
The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club hosts its annual Memorial Day tournament with boats vying for $1 million in prizes. The J&M Tackle Weigh Dock at Perdido Pass is open from 7pm. – 8pm on Friday and 4pm to 7pm on Saturday, so head down to see the monster fish these anglers reel in.
S’mores on the Shore
May 23, 6 pm
Gulf Place (Gulf Shores Main Public Beach)
If you arrive a little early, be sure to stop by S’mores on the Shore at the west end of Gulf Place. This family-friendly event includes live music, campfires, and all the makings for s’mores. Bring a blanket or a beach chair and relax under the stars.
Aloha Summer Kickoff Party
May 24-26
Downtown OWA, 205 N Owa Blvd Foley, AL 36535
This weekend-long event kicks off the start of summer beach season by filling the streets of Downtown OWA with live entertainment, fun family activities, and evening fireworks. Join the party on Friday or Sunday from 2pm to 8pm or Saturday from 2pm to 9pm. Admission to OWA is free; activities inside of Tropic Falls require ticket purchase.
Cole Swindell in Concert
May 25, 7 pm
The Wharf Amphitheatre, Orange Beach
Cole Swindell is bringing his Win The Night Tour to The Wharf Amphitheater on May 25th at 7 p.m. for a Memorial Day Weekend kick-off event. Special guests are Dylan Scott and Jon Langston. It’s all part of the 2024 C Spire Concert Series, and you can purchase tickets here.
Living History Memorial Day-Wreath Laying Tribute
May 25
Fort Morgan, 110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores
Fort Morgan hosts its Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend commemoration May 25 with a wreath-laying ceremony planned for the crew of the Tecumseh, which sank in waters just off the Fort. Re-enactors show activity at the Fort from the War of 1812 to World War II, remembering those who gave their lives in service. There will be weapons demonstrations and artillery firing, as well as guided tours. Regular admission will be charged.
LuLuPalooza
May 25
LuLu’s Gulf Shores, 200 East 25th Ave.
The annual LuLuPalooza Summer 2024 Kick Off Party is a family-day filled with fun and back-to-back live music on the Crazy Sista Boat Stage. It’s a can’t-miss event for Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend.
Red, White + Wharf
May 27
The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach
This huge holiday celebration is fun for the entire family with face painting, magicians, camel rides and more. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., enjoy a glow bubble party after the sun sets from the Wharf’s official Bubble Truck. Stick around for fireworks at 8:45 p.m. Admission is free, though some activities have a fee.
Memorial Day Activities at The Beach Club
The activities team at The Beach Club has a jam-packed Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend planned for our guests. From poolside dance parties and live music on the Village Lawn to movie nights and craft classes, there’s something memorable to join all weekend long. Be sure to snag a seat for our 9 pm fireworks show on Sunday, May 26th! For a full listing of planned activities, visit the Activities page.
A Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend vacation at The Beach Club puts you close to all the events, along with plenty of onsite activities like children’s games and evening bonfires. Enjoy the first big summer beach weekend with us.
Travelers, both domestic and international, are beginning to uncover one of Alabama’s most beautiful treasures–the Gulf Coast beaches. With several airports within an hour’s drive of Gulf Shores, it’s easier than ever to experience Alabama’s white-sand beaches!
Airports Near Gulf Shores
There are great options for airports near Gulf Shores, but depending on where you are coming from and what airline you choose, pricing can be different. Below are a few choices for consideration.
Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA)
The closest airport to Gulf Shores is Gulf Shores International Airport – Jack Edwards Field (JKA), only 2.5 miles from Gulf Shores. JKA is a small airport with fewer airline options, mostly private flights catering to business travelers and those with a second home in the area. However, JKA is currently working with TBI/VINCI Airports to construct a new commercial terminal that could welcome flights by late summer 2023. JKA offers three car rental companies including Hertz and Enterprise, limo and taxi service, as well as ride share service (Uber and Lyft).
Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is an hour away from Gulf Shores (37 miles) via FL-292 W and AL-182 W. Most major airlines fly to Pensacola from a variety of U.S. cities, and you will find eight rental car companies at PNS including many popular ones like Hertz, U-Save, National and Budget. Also available is the Pensacola Airport Shuttle to or from Gulf Shores for a flat rate of $85.
If you want added convenience, PNS offers nonstop flights to more than 15 U.S. Cities:
Charlotte, North Carolina
Arlington, Virginia
Dallas, Texas
Miami, Florida
Boston, Massachusetts
Queens, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Atlanta, Georgia
Denver, Colorado
Orlando, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee
Houston, Texas
Kansas City, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Mobile Regional Airport (MOB)
Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) is an hour and 23 minutes from Gulf Shores (70 miles) via I-10 W. American Airlines, Delta and United all fly into MOB, with nonstop flights to four major hubs. Once you arrive at MOB, there are multiple options for ground transportation including seven rental car companies, taxi and limo service, and ride share service (Uber and Lyft).
Mobile International Airport (BFM) is the Gulf Coast’s newest airport terminal, located an hour and 9 minutes from Gulf Shores (57 miles) via I-10 W. With a convenient location near downtown Mobile, BFM makes it easy to access Gulf Shores with six rental car companies and ride share service on-site. Although the site is still under construction, plans are underway to relocate all commercial flights from Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) to BFM by mid 2025. And flights are already in the works – starting May 1, 2023, Avelo Airlines will offer exclusive nonstop service to Orlando, Florida (MCO) from BFM two days per week.
Non-stop flights to Mobile International Airport (BFM):
Orlando, Florida
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Another option is the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), located almost 200 miles away (3 hours and 6 minutes) via I-10 W. Major airlines fly into MSY and ground transportation is plentiful with taxis, buses, shuttles and major rental car companies (Alamo, Avis, Dollar, Enterprise and Hertz, to name a few). Many travelers take advantage of sometimes lower rates to fly into New Orleans and enjoy a little time there before making their way to Gulf Shores.
MSY hosts 16 airlines that serve over 50 nonstop destinations, including:
Atlanta, Georgia
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
Denver, Colorado
St. Louis, Missouri
Seattle, Washington
Charlotte, North Carolina
Memphis, Tennessee
New York, New York
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cincinnati, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Boston, Massachusetts
Chicago, Illinois
For a full list of nonstop flights to MSY, visit the airport website.
For more detailed information on nonstop flights in the area, visit our blog.
Before Flying into Gulf Shores
Take the hassle out of your vacation by utilizing the Beach Moms concierge service available to Spectrum Resorts guests. The Beach Moms are well-known in Gulf Shores for their attention to detail. Services they offer include grocery shopping and putting away prior to arrival, and restaurant and excursion reservations. The Beach Moms will act as your personal concierge throughout your trip including making reservations for popular resort activities like reservations at Coast (onsite restaurant), beach chair rentals, Aqua Fun Tails mermaid/pirate photoshoots and spa reservations.
Getting Around Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores offers big-city amenities when it comes to local transportation. There are rideshares like Uber and Lyft, taxi services and, the most convenient, rental cars at the airport when you fly in.
Beach Club Amenities
The Beach Club Resort and Spa in Gulf Shores (on the Fort Morgan peninsula) offers visitors access to a beautiful 86-acre village with upscale 1- to 5-bedroom beachfront condos and lakeside cottages. Each includes fully appointed kitchens, spacious room designs, washer/dryer units, and lots of on-property perks like restaurants (casual and upscale), tennis courts, pools, hot tubs and a full-service spa. The beach itself is such a gem with five football fields of white-sand beaches juxtaposing amazing turquoise waters. You’ll never want to leave!
Book direct with Spectrum and eliminate the risk factors with the only 100% Satisfaction Guarantee in the area. Visitors can enjoy a no-worry experience creating peace of mind that’s simply irreplaceable.
Search our available Gulf Shores rentals today and see why The Beach Club Resort and Spa continues to be a favorite among travelers.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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)
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.
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!
The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL May 16-21, 2023
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!
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.
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!
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!
The Labor Day holiday weekend serves as the unofficial end to summer, so it’s only fitting to spend it at the beach. (Wait a second, did you know it’s warm well into November? That’s right! You’ve got plenty of time to keep on summering. But, we’re also celebrating a staple to beach vacationing – Labor Day in Gulf Shores!)
Take advantage of that three-day weekend and plan a getaway. After all, there’s plenty of sunshine, long summer days, warm temperatures and lots of activities for every member of the family to enjoy during Labor Day in Gulf Shores.
Labor Day Weekend Fun
Escape
Fort Morgan
It’s the summer of 1864 and you’re a Federal spy captured by Confederate soldiers during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Your job is to find a defensive map and escape route. It’s the challenging scenario for the Espionage at Mobile Point escape room at Fort Morgan Historic Site. The hours are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so your options to be a spy are limited. Be sure to reserve your time in advance!
Address: 110 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Set
A Hook
Celebrate the end of summer with a charter fishing excursion, either inshore or offshore. Book with one of the experienced local captains who will take you right to the fish during your Labor Day in Gulf Shores.
Labor Day Celebration at OWA
Wrap up your summer and celebrate Labor Day Weekend with an epic fireworks show at OWA on Saturday, Sept. 3. The fireworks go off at 8:45 p.m. sharp. This show is timed perfectly with music and can be seen throughout the entire property at OWA in nearby Foley.
Address: 100 N. OWA Blvd. Foley, AL 36535
Labor Day Car Show
Returning for its third year, theOWA Labor Day Car Show is back on Saturday, Sept. 5! Cars of all makes and models will be on display throughout the Southern-style streets of Downtown OWA. With hot rods and custom builds lining the street, this car show is picture perfect.
Address: 100 N. OWA Blvd. Foley, AL 36535
Listen
to the Music
For those about to rock….Parker McCollum will take the stage at The Amphitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach! Come down and also hear your favorite tunes from Corey Smith and Frank Foster.
The Wharf Address: 4550 Main St., Orange Beach, AL 36561
Enjoy
the Amenities
A stay at The Beach Club provides everything you need for a memorable Labor Day in Gulf Shores, including great amenities and a fun line-up of kids and family activities. Get as involved as you want, or kick back and relax by the pool, at the beach or on your balcony. Spread out and enjoy five football fields of private beaches, treat yourself at The Spa or indulge in your favorite dishes at Coast Restaurant & Sushi Bar.
As a Spectrum Resorts guest, you get priority reservations when it comes to booking a beach chairs, umbrella or other services. But reserve your beach chair early. It is a holiday weekend, after all.
And, remember that our guests enjoy a hassle-free vacation guarantee including freshly laundered coverlets with every stay, complimentary resort activities, onsite maintenance and housekeeping, and more. And, who could forget the 10% discount on dining, shopping, and spa when Spectrum guests use resort charging privileges!
Book your stay at The Beach Club, a secluded resort on the Fort Morgan peninsula for one more great summer hoorah over Labor Day in Gulf Shores.
