Upcoming Festivals & Events in Baldwin County

Spring is here and it's time to enjoy warmer temperatures and the outdoors in beautiful Baldwin County!  We have been eagerly waiting for the days of long-lasting sunshine, colorful camellias and azaleas, and fun-filled activities with friends and family.  Over the next several months, a number of exciting events and festivals are in store for the area with many not costing you a dime to attend.  Check out our list of popular events taking place in Baldwin County and start making plans with your favorite people!  Whether it's a fish-throwing competition, a never-ending beach party with world famous musicians, or a downtown festival celebrating local artwork and culture - there is something for everyone, no matter the age, to enjoy!

MARCH EVENTS

44th Annual Festival of Art
When: March 10-11, 2018
Where: Orange Beach Coastal Arts Center - Main Street, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Fine arts festival featuring over 100 talented artists showcasing their work, live entertainment, and local culinary delights.
Admission: FREE

66th Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
When: March 16-18, 2018
Where: Downtown Fairhope, AL
Three-day festival on the beautiful & scenic streets of Fairhope's downtown district. The event will showcase unique arts of 200+ exhibitors from all over the country. The event will feature a food court and daily live entertainment.
Admission: FREE

Orange Beach Invasion Car Show
When: March 16-18, 2018
Where: The Wharf - 23101 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Car, truck, and bike show sponsored by Sparkle Detail and hosted by Greg Miller of Scrapin the Coast, Siknic and Slamber Party and his partner Robbie Bryant of Keg Media, Slamily Reunion and Lifted Truck Nats. This two-day event draws in over 20,000 spectators.
Admission: FREE

The Original German Sausage Festival
When: Mar 31, 2018
Where: Elberta Town Park -13052 Main St., Elberta, AL, 36530
Put on by Elberta's Volunteer Fire Department, this bi-annual event attracts over 30,000 visitors and sells nearly 7,000 lbs of sausage. Enjoy live entertainment and art from over 200 vendor booths. 
Admission: FREE

APRIL EVENTS

2018 Waterway Village Zydeco & Crawfish Festival & 5K Run
When: April 14, 2018 
Where: Waterway Village - 225 E. 24th Ave., Gulf Shores, AL 36542
A collaboration between the City of Gulf Shores and local businesses, this event will feature a large-scale crawfish boil free to the public. Activities include a 5K run, arts & crafts displays, children's games, and musical performances from the best Zydeco bands in the south.
Admission: FREE 

31st Annual Baldwin County Strawberry Festival 
When: April 14-15 2018 
Where: Loxley Municipal Park - N Hickory St, Loxley, AL 36551
Two-day event featuring over 180 arts & crafts vendors, 5K run, children's pageant, car show, carnival rides, live music, and of course - plenty of strawberry shortcakes! 
Admission: FREE 

2018 Emerald Coast Grand Prix
When: April 13-15, 2018 
Where: Flora-Bama Lounge & Bar - 17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Presented by Watercross World, this watercross racing event will take place on the emerald waters in front of Flora-Bama. 

Bald Eagle Bash
When: April 21, 2018 
Where: Tonsmeire Weeks Bay Resource Center - 11401 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532
A party for preservation, this fundraising event features seafood dishes from top local restaurants and live music.  Hosted by the Weeks Bay Foundation, this nonprofit land trust works to educate the community about conservation efforts and the protection of coastal Alabama wetlands.
Admission: $45 advance tickets, $50 at gate

2018 Bama Coast Cruise
When: April 26-28, 2018 
Where: The Wharf - 23101 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Family-friendly car show featuring vendors, swap meets, contests, daily events, giveaways, and other entertainment.
Admission: FREE 

Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party
When: April 27-29, 2018 
Where: Flora-Bama Lounge & Bar - 17401 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Three-day mullet-throwing competition right on the AL-FL state line and touted as the Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party hosting a bikini contest, live music, and more! Skip the traffic jams and walk to Mullet Toss by staying at the closest condos to Flora-Bama. 
Admission: FREE

MAY EVENTS

14th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
When: May 4-5, 2018
Where: Foley Soccer Complex - 18507 U.S. 98, Foley, AL 36535
This two-day event will host 36 hot air balloons and their pilots from around the country. Enjoy tethered balloon rides, great food, art booths, music, and other fun activities! The event will also feature a 5K & 10K run and the World-Famous Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dogs.
Admission: FREE

NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championships
When: May 4-6, 2018
Where: Gulf Shores Public Beach - West Gulf Place, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Gulf Place will host three days of beach volleyball matches between collegiate teams from all over the US competing for the 2018 National Championship Title.
Admission: $45-$200

Art in the Park
When: May 12-13, 2018
Where: John B. Foley Park, Foley, AL 36525
This two-day event takes place in Foley's downtown district and will feature nearly 100 artists displaying their unique crafts and artwork. The event attracts around 5,000 visitors each year. 
Admission: FREE

Orange Beach Billfish Classic
When: May 16-20, 2018
Where: The Wharf - 23101 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Big-game fishing tournament hosted by the The Wharf and important fundraiser for The Billfish Foundation and Coastal Conservation Association.
Admission: FREE for Spectators

The Hangout Music Festival
When: May 18 - 20, 2018
Where: Gulf Shores Public Beach/Gulf Place
A three-day music festival right on Gulf Shores beaches. The event will host top and upcoming musicians from all over the world. Enjoy delicious food fare, arts & craft displays, daily games, and carnival rides.  Avoid shuttle fees & waiting lines and stay at condos closest to The Hangout.
General Admission: $279, VIP: $1,099  Super VIP: $1,699

41st Annual MBGFC Memorial Day Fishing Tournament
When: May 24-28, 2018
Where: Mobile Big Game Fishing Club - 27075 Marina Rd., Orange Beach, Alabama 36561

JUNE EVENTS

Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo
When: June 1-3, 2018
Where: Flora-Bama Yacht Club - 17350 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
The "funnest" fishing rodeo on the Gulf Coast will feature a 3-day beach party, daily weigh-ins, live music, and great food!

Baldwin County's biggest outdoor music venue, The Wharf Amphitheater, has a fantastic line-up of concerts scheduled for this spring and summer.  Visit the The Wharf's official page to find tickets and to learn more about these upcoming shows.

Styx & REO Speedwagon - April 14
Chris Young, Kane Brown, & Morgan Evans - April 20
Dwight Yoakam - May 24
Dave Matthews - May 27 
Alan Jackson & Randy Houser - June 23
Jason Aldean - July 26
Miranda Lambert & Little Big Town - August 2
Imagine Dragons & Grace Vanderwaal - August 7
Keith Urban & Kelsea Ballerini - August 25
Needtobreathe - September 30

For additional happenings around the Gulf Coast, check the event calendar on your town's official website or chamber of commerce page.  There are plenty of activities to keep you busy each month including guided nature tours/walks, fundraisers, farmer's markets, and instructional courses such as photography or painting.  If you are vacationing along the Emerald Coast this spring, be sure to check out popular events & festivals taking place in Destin & Fort Walton Beach and Panama City Beach FL.