Looking for a good way to get out of your Gulf front vacation rental this summer? Heads up: There are a lot of fun summer events happening in Gulf Shores this year. Just check out the following five events, which are guaranteed to make for a memorable time.
The Hangout Music Festival 2020
The Hangout Music Festival is more than just a music festival. It is a gigantic party that caters to all adults. Think of it as a grand kickoff to summer. This year, it will take place starting on Friday, May 15 at 11 a.m. and will end on Sunday, May 17.
This year’s line-up is full of different artists and bands, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, T-Pain, and Tove Lo. And it is not just popular music acts who will be playing; smaller acts will take the stage to perform and love getting the crowd going.
Shuttles are available to get you both to and from your vacation rentals on Gulf Shores. Those with a shuttle pass get roundtrip shuttle travel to any stop on the route throughout the entire weekend.
You can swim and dance at Monster Beach Club day in and day out, and there will be plenty of beach space available. There will also be a ton of vendors there, a camp hangout area where you can roast marshmallows and even tour the chic RVs that are parked onsite, a huge roller disco for those who want to skate, and a tropical spa complete with Hydration IV treatments. Each morning at 11:30 a.m., there will be yoga on the Great Lawn, and beach volleyball will be open every day. There is also a Ferris wheel that will take you high above the crowds and give you a gorgeous panoramic view. There is even a legit wedding chapel that you can book in advance!
Of course, there will be plenty to eat and drink! Local restaurants will be open, as will all the fun shops in the area. It is an exciting event that adults can enjoy. There are a number of different ways to pay, and you don’t have to attend all three days if you don’t want to, but a three-day pass is available to purchase.
Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
Every year, Foley, Alabama hosts a Memorial Day Weekend Celebration. This year, it goes from Friday, May 22 to Monday, May 25. This is a free event that is open to all ages, making it perfect for just about everyone. Stay in one of the lovely Gulf Shores beach houses and make your way into downtown Foley each day.
There will be plenty of activities for adults and kids to enjoy. Kids can play in bounce houses, and there will be an array of crafts and games. Local restaurants will be open for business, and food and drink vendors will be on hand all weekend long.
The fireworks display will take place on May 23 after sundown and, as is the case every year, is expected to be huge and exciting. You might want to get there early for a seat since this will be a busy event.
Blue Marlin Championship
The Blue Marlin Championship is an annual tournament that has been hailed as “the Super Bowl of sportfishing.” It happens every year at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. It is happening July 15 to 19 in 2020 and has quite the packed schedule.
Teams check-in on July 15th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there is a VIP Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Kick-Off Party begins, and, at the same time, live music plays along Main Street in celebration. There’s a Kick-Off After-Party from 9 to 11 p.m., which is open to the public.
At 11:01 a.m. the following morning, the competing boats leave from Wharf Marina, and the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores Billfish Boat Parade kicks off on Canal Road and at Perdido Pass. This is a fun-for-the-whole-family event that is free to the public.
On the final day, there is a tournament weigh-in, followed by the championship announcements. It’s definitely a big to-do and is fun whether or not you’re into fishing.
The 7th Annual Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo
Ever heard of a fishing rodeo? Well, now you have! Every year, this ridiculously fun fishing tournament takes place along the Gulf Coast in Florida and Alabama (hence the title of Flora-Bama). This is truly an “every-man’s (and woman’s)” fishing rodeo. This year, it takes place on Friday, Jun 12 – Saturday, June 13, 2020 and is hosted at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club.
Fishing actually begins at 12 a.m. on June 5 and closes on June 6 at 7 p.m., thereby giving fishermen enough time to reel ‘em in. At 3 p.m. on June 7, there is an awards ceremony.
Bear in mind, this is a Captains Choice tournament, so anglers will be gunning for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in 30 different categories.
You need not be a VIP with the club, but adult division tickets are $45, and kids 12 and under competing in the youth division pay $25 for a ticket. It’s a good time for all ages and is a real producer of laughs.
The Shark Run
This summer, you can watch the Shark Run on July 4th and 5th at The Wharf in Orange Beach. It’s a lot less scary than it sounds. It’s quite fun! The sign-up already happened in November, but that does not mean you cannot have fun cheering on the runners.
This is the sixth annual Shark Run 5K, and there are over 1,200 runners taking part in all four races, including a 5K Competitive Walk and a 5K Run. Every single finisher gets a medal for doing so, and there are age group events in each event.
4th of July Fireworks
Naturally, the 4th of July Fireworks display is a huge public event every year. They start at 8:45 p.m. this year at Downtown OWA in Foley, AL. But there is a lot to do before that! Grab lunch from some of the local eateries, dance along to GLOWA in the evening, get your groove on with live music performances all day, and let loose. Then, watch the sky light up as we celebrate our wonderful country’s birthday.
Labor Day Weekend Celebration
What better way to draw a close to a fabulous summer in Gulf Shores than to attend the Labor Day Weekend Celebration? This event is totally free and takes place in Foley from September 4 to September 7.
There will be activities going on throughout the weekend, as will be a number of smaller events. These are all family-friendly, so be sure to bring the kids out to enjoy them! Indulge in food from local restaurants, and be sure to come out for the fireworks display on the final evening after sundown.
Other Events You Won’t Want to Miss
On August 26, The C Spire Concert Series Presents Journey with The Pretenders on their 2020 North American Tour. Held at the gorgeous Wharf Amphitheater with doors opening at 7:30. Fans of Journey and The Pretenders will be pumped to see this unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience, spectacularly produced by Live Nation.
Plan Your Vacation
Be sure to book your Gulf Shores Beach Rentals now, as spots fill up fast. That way, you can take part in some fantastic summer events in beautiful Gulf Shores!