The best things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in May! The weather is warming up and it is the perfect time to explore the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in May
May Events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
There are so many great events for May 2024! The beach will be hopping with live music, hot air balloons to start the month at OWA, and tons of concerts at the Wharf Amphitheater.
Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date - May 2 from 5 pm - 9 pm
May 3 from 11 am to 10 pm
May 4 from 11 am to 11 pm
Location - OWA
Balloons fly early in the morning (around dawn) and late in the afternoon (around dusk). All flights are weather-dependent.
Pilots are scheduled to fly on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings between 6 AM & 8 AM.
Cody Jinks with The Steel Woods
Date - May 2, 7 pm
Location - The Wharf Amphitheater
Cody Jinks, with special guests The Steel Woods, is coming to The Wharf Amphitheater on May 2 as part of the 2024 C Spire Concert Series!
NCAA Beach Volleyball
Date - May 3-5
Location - Gulf Shores Public Beach
17 of the best NCAA Beach Volleyball Teams will hit the sand courts in Gulf Shores. The 2024 NCAAA Beach Volleyball Championship is open to the public.
Gates open one hour prior to the first game each day. If you can’t be here in person, you can still catch all the live-action on ESPN+.
- Friday, May 3: Duals Played 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
- Saturday, May 4: Duals Played 9 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. CT
- Sunday, May 5: Championship Dual TBD
Make sure to check out ticket prices if you want a guaranteed seat on the beach.
LuLu's Paradise Boat Show at Homeport Marina
Dates - May 3-5
Location - Homeport Marina next to LuLu's Gulf Shores
Check out LuLu's annual Paradise Boat Show at the Homeport Marina. Paradise Marina will have boats in the water and on land for visitors to check out.
Trash Pick Up - Gulf Place Beach
Date - May 4th, 8:45 am - 10 am
Location - Gulf Place Beach/The Hangout
Join Eco Clean Marine for a trash pick up at Gulf Place Beach. Eco Clean Marine will provide gloves and buckets to help facilitate the beach clean up.
9th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off
Date - May 6th, 6 -8 pm
Location - The Wharf, Marlin Circle
Watch some of the best Alabama chefs compete live in a cooking competition featuring Alabama Gulf Seafood.
The winner of the event will go on to represent Alabama at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans.
Sandcastle Shindig
Dates - Friday, May 10th
Location - Flora-Bama Lounge
Check out this great event where local businesses compete to win with their custom sand sculptures. Proceeds from the event benefit the Pleasure Island Junior Woman's Club.
Visitors can purchase a tethered balloon ride and rise 35 feet up into the air.
Alabama Concert with special Guest Jamey Johnson
Date - May 11th
Location - The Wharf Amphitheater
Art in the Park
Date - May 11 and 12th
Location - Foley Heritage Park
The Art in the Park has been held every Mother's Day weekend since 1971. Over 100 artists showcase their unique hand crafted work.
Orange Beach Billfish Classic
Date - May 14 - 19 moved to May 22nd and 23rd
Location - The Wharf
The Orange Beach Billfish Classic is the first billfish tournament of the Eastern Gulf tournament circuit and the start of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Series.
STAIND concert with Seether, Saint Asonia, and Tim Montana
Date - Tuesday May 14
Location - The Wharf Amphitheater
STAIND with special guests Seether, Saint Asonia, and Tim Montana are coming to The Wharf Amphitheater on Tuesday, May 14, as part of the 2024 C Spire Concert Series.
The Hangout Music Festival
Dates - May 17 to 19th
Location - Gulf Shores Public Beach
The beaches largest concert weekend happens in May! Hangout Fest 2024 will feature Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey, Odesza, The Chainsmokers, Cage the Elephant, Nelly, Dominic Fike, Renee Rapp, Jessie Murph, and so many other great artists.
Make sure to plan ahead to visit this summer concert event.
Foley Music and a Movie
Dates - Friday, May 17, 24 and 31st at 4 pm
Location - Foley Heritage Park
Check out the Heritage Park Marketplace from 4 pm to 7 pm. The marketplace has arts and crafts, plants, produce, and more.
There will be live entertainment starting at 7 pm followed by a movie at dusk.
May 17
Music - MidLife Crisis
Movie - Jaws
May 24
Music - Justin Colvard
Movie - Elemental
May 31
Music - Chitlin Switch
Movie - Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie
Gulf Coasts Masters
Date - May 22 - 26
Location - Orange Beach Marina
Mobile Big Game Fishing Club's Gulf Coast Masters fishing tournament and events.
S'mores on the Shore
Date - Thursday May 23rd, 6 to 8 pm
Location - Gulf Place
S'mores on the Shore takes place at Gulf Place with campfires, s'mores, and music! This family friendly event includes a free smores packet, live DJ, Balloon artist, face painting, and more!
Pirates and Princess Adventure at The Hangout Gulf Shores
Dates - Friday May 24th and then daily until August 4th from 9 am to 11 am
Location - The Hangout Gulf Shores
Make sure to make a reservation to guarantee you have a seat at this fun breakfast adventure.
Aloha Summer Kickoff at OWA
Dates - Friday May 24th to Sunday May 26th
Location - OWA Parks & Resort, Foley
Enjoy live music, kid's activities, fireworks, and more to kick off summer!
Saturday night there will be a fireworks show at 8:50 pm.
LuLuPalooza
Date - Saturday May 25th, 1pm to 9 pm
Location - LuLu's Gulf Shores
Kick off summer with live music all day at LuLu's in Gulf Shores!
Lineup:
1-4pm - The Cordial Brothers
5-9pm - The Rebecca Barry Band
Big Splash Pilsner Premier Party
Date - Saturday May 25th, 2 - 4 pm
Location - Towne Tap at OWA
Celebrate the Big Splash Pilsner a new brew created by OWA Parks & Resort with Braided River Brewing Co.
Big Splash Pilsner is only available at Towne Tap, Libations and Brakers Bar & Grill!
1-4pm – DJ at Towne Tap
2-4pm – FREE Shrimp Boil
2-4pm – Giveaway: 1 Cooler stuffed with Prizes at Towne Tap & at the Tent outside of Tropic Falls gate.
Cole Swindell with Dylan Scott and John Langston Concert
Date - Saturday May 25, 7 pm
Location - The Wharf Amphitheater
Cole Swindell with special guests Dylan Scott and Jon Langston, are coming to The Wharf Amphitheater on May 25 as part of the 2024 C Spire Concert Series!
Radical Raptors of Gulf State Park
Date - Monday May 27th 10 am - 11 am
Location - Gulf State Park Nature Center
Learn about the silent birds of prey including hawks and owls! Great for all ages!
Slice of Summer Event at The Wharf
Date - May 27th from 6 to 9 pm
Location - The Wharf
Every Monday night during the summer season you can celebrate a Slice of Summer at The Wharf. There will be magicians, stilt walkers, and balloon artists. Plus opportunities to ride a came, get your face painted, and play in the glow bubbles from the official Bubble Truck.
- DJ Matt: 6-9 pm
- Bubble Truck: 6:30-8:30 pm
- SPECTRA Laser Light Experience: 8:30, 9 + 9:30 pm
OSO Kid Summer Party
Wild Wild Wharf
- Kids’ Activities + DJ Matt: 6-9 pm
- SPECTRA Laser Light Experience: 8:30, 9 + 9:30 pm
Seine Net Experience (Gulf State Park)
Pepsi Treasure Hunt for Hunger
- Treasure Hunt + DJ Matt: 6-9 pm
- SPECTRA Laser Light Experience: 8:30, 9 + 9:30 pm
History of Gulf Pirates
Wiki Wiki Wharf
- Kids’ Activities + DJ Matt: 6-9 pm
- Bubble Truck: 6:30-8:30 pm
- SPECTRA Laser Light Experience: 8:30, 9 + 9:30 pm
Additional May Events along the Gulf Coast
Blue Angels Practice
Dates - May 1*, 7, 8, 14, 15*, 28, 29*
Location - Pensacola Naval Air Station
Gates open at 9:30 am
The Blue Angels are scheduled to take off at 10:30 am
The dates with a * includes an autograph day in the museum following the Blue Angels Practice.
Practices last approximately 55 minutes. There are open bleacher seats for 500 people. You can also rent a chair for $6 (there are limited quantities of chairs).
Please note that backpacks, daypacks, luggage, or similar items are NOT allowed on the flight line during Blue Angel practice air shows.
You will need to have your ID to enter onto the Naval Air Station. Public access to NAS Pensacola is available only from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through the West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway.
Make sure to plan time to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum after practice.
May Things to Do
Dolphin Cruises
Head out on the water and check out the local Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins that play in the back bays and Gulf.
Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Sunset Dolphin Sail
May is the perfect time to enjoy a sunset dolphin sail on the back bays of Orange Beach. This sailing tour leaves from the Wharf making it really easy to get to.
You can relax with a cold drink while watching dolphins frolicking nearby. As the sun goes down you can savor the warm weather and epic views from the sailboat.
This is one of our favorite date night activities on the water. It is so relaxing and the views are amazing.
Rent a Polaris Slingshot
Drive around town in style with a sleek three wheeled Slingshot! The perfect way to cruise the beach and enjoy the gorgeous weather!
Manual or automatic transmission vehicles are available. Rent for a day or the week.
Check out the Slingshot Rentals
Parasailing
See the beach and Gulf Coast from a new perspective! Why not try Parasailing while on your Gulf Coast Vacation.
You can Parasail in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! Check out these great Parasailing Options.
Rent a Pontoon Boat
Captain your own pontoon boat and enjoy the waters of Orange Beach! Grab your friends and family and plan a day out on the water.
Some of the pontoon boats have slides so you can slide right into the cool waters of the Gulf. Cruise the scenic Orange Beach islands of Bird Island, Robinson Island, and Rabbit Island.
Check out great Pontoon Boat Rentals
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Weather in May
The weather in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach continues to warm up in May.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach enjoy amazing Spring and early summer weather in May with temperatures ranging from 70 degrees to 85 degrees.
Daylight hours increase in May with the shortest day of the month is May 1, with 13 hours, 22 minutes of daylight and the longest day is May 31, with 13 hours, 58 minutes of daylight.
The earliest sunset is 7:28 PM on May 1 and the latest sunset is 19 minutes later at 7:47 PM on May 31.
The latest sunrise of the month in Gulf Shores is 6:07 AM on May 1 and the earliest sunrise is 17 minutes earlier at 5:49 AM on May 31.
Water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico continue to rise by 7 degrees. Going from 73°F to 80°F, over the course of the month.
Visiting Gulf Shores and Orange beach for an Event?
If you are visiting from out of town and need to book accommodations here are our recommendations based on staying at these locations.
The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - This resort offers beachfront condos, tons of amazing amenities, and a great spa.
Turquoise Place Luxury Vacation Rentals (Orange Beach) - This is our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic beachfront views, and the condos are unbelievable.
Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf it is a great location off of the beach. We enjoyed their gorgeous pool.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Located on the beach in Gulf State Park this Hilton Hotel offers epic beach views, a sustainable hotel experience, and great restaurants.
This map will show you the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area.
Additional Gulf Coast Travel Guides
Top breakfast restaurants in Gulf Shores - The best places to grab breakfast in Gulf Shores.
Donut Shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - The best places to grab a doughnut!
Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - The best places to grab a cup of coffee, lattes, or tea in town.
Best Pizza in Gulf Shores - Check out all of the epic pizza in Gulf Shores.
Great Bars in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - the best bars in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, that we think have great drinks, a fun atmosphere, and live music.
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Restaurants on the Beach - All of the epic places you can enjoy a meal with a gorgeous view!
Looking ahead make sure to check out our January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December Guides to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Alabama and so many more!
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
Check out our Facebook and Instagram and TikTok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.
Leave a Reply