Sure, we love our summer rush here on the coast. We love seeing families playing on the beach, exploring local attractions and having a great time. But we love our fall season too. It comes with a relaxed pace and more time to reconnect with each other. It also brings one great fall festival after another, celebrating music, art, film, birds, food and more.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
The beach is buzzing with food and song this fall. Start the culinary party with the 47th Annual National Shrimp Festival, October 11-14 in Gulf Shores. For many this is the must-do fall festival. And who can blame them when it brings four days of arts, crafts, live music and of course shrimp.
Show of hands… who loves oysters and craft beer? Thought so! We’ll see you in Gulf Shores for the 10th Annual Oyster Cook Off and Craft Beer Weekend at The Hangout, November 2-3. Then stick around for the tunes with the 34th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival November 8-18. Enjoy songs performed at venues throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Perdido Key.
And the fun keeps on coming with the 2018 World Food Championships at The Wharf in Orange Beach, November 9-11. High-energy food competitions with some serious prize money and bragging rights on the line.
South Mobile County
On October 13 make the drive to Dauphin Island for the 8th Annual Dauphin Island Art Trail. At stops throughout the island you can browse works from more than 50 artists. And with the free cross-island shuttle you can relax and leave the driving to someone else.
The art fun continues on October 27-28 with the ArtSeaLab Festival at the Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The two-day art festival will feature live music, hands-on art and science experiences, a Marine Debris 3D competition, Gulf “Folk” Life demonstrations and community booths.
Mobile
The math adds up for the TEN65 MUSIC + TECH + CULTURE event on October 5-6 in downtown Mobile. Groove to performances by Walker Hayes, Wet Willie, Big Boi, the Rebirth Brass Band and many more.
Practice your shouts of OPA! to get ready for the 55th Annual Greek Fest in Mobile, October 18-20. The food, music and heritage celebration takes place at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and includes a drive-thru for food takeout.
Foley
The 7th Annual Festival of Flavor, sponsored by Back Forty Beer Company and Riviera Utilities, will take place Saturday, October 6 in the streets of Downtown Foley from Noon until 5 pm. Hosted by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, The Festival of Flavor showcases the many flavors of local and regional food, wine and craft beer.
Festival guests can stroll the streets of Downtown Foley while enjoying the unique specialty wines, craft beer, food trucks and delectable cuisine prepared by local chefs and restaurants. Don’t want to miss the Saturday, SEC Football? It is covered! Enjoy the action on the giant screens in the game day area as your favorite teams play.
In the land of fresh oysters, shrimp and fish can a sausage festival really hold its own? You better believe it! The Elberta Sausage Festival has been a local favorite fall festival since 1978 and for good reason. On October 27 the Elberta’s Volunteer Fire Department puts on a lip-smacking event in honor of the town’s German heritage. Fill up on German-style filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans & rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, popcorn and peanuts.
Eastern Shore
Celebrating the milestone of 30 years on September 29-30, the Jubilee Festival of Arts is located along Main Street in Old Towne Daphne, in front of City Hall. All points are an easy walk and the main festival stage is located at City Hall. This is one arts festival you’ll want to bring your children along for. The Kids Art Park offers 6 different free hands-on art activities for your little ones to explore their creative side.
The juried art show attracts prominent artist from throughout the Southeast. Their pieces are complemented by performance art, music, theater, dance and the very delicious World Food Championships Qualifier Competitions. It seems that no matter how you define art, you can find it, see it, hear it and taste it here!
It is lights, camera and all the film action we love at the Fairhope Film Festival, November 8-11. For four days binge on entertaining and award-winning films screened throughout the town of Fairhope.
Regional Fun
Some festivals are just too big to contain in one location. That is certainly the case for the 15th Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest, October 3-6.
Workshops will take place at 5 Rivers Delta Center in Spanish Fort, along the Causeway. Trips provide the opportunity to get up close and personal with birds, alligators, wildflowers, dolphin and other area wildlife. If you want to join in, don’t wait. Registration ends September 21 and many trips fill up quickly.
For even more fall fun, check out our DayTrips.