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    Home » Alabama » Orange Beach » Trip Planning

    Kentucky Derby Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

    Published: Apr 29, 2026 by Tammilee · This post may contain affiliate links

    Kentucky Derby Events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama including best dressed, best hat competitions, live music, and more.

    Kentucky Derby Gulf Shores & Orange Beach text over a photo of a mint julep cocktail

    2026 Kentucky Derby Events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

    Contents show
    2026 Kentucky Derby Events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    CoastAL Kentucky Derby Party
    Kentucky Derby Watch Party - Safari and Vine
    Talk Derby to Me Event - Tee Off at The Wharf
    Kentucky Derby Watch Party Sound Wave
    Derby Day - Swift-Coles Historic Home
    Kentucky Derby at Angry Crab Shack
    Kentucky Derby Weekend at Tiki & Raw Bar
    Where to buy Kentucky Derby Gear
    Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
    Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging

    Check out all of the fun events happening for the Kentucky Derby in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

    Outdoor dining with a Coastal Orange Beach sign and the beach with boardwalk

    CoastAL Kentucky Derby Party

    • 📅 Saturday May 2, 3 pm - 6 pm
    • 📍CoastAL Orange Beach

    Contests with prizes:

    • Exacta - Best Male Derby Hat prize $300 Gift card to Coastal Orange Beach
    • Superfecta - Best Dressed Duo - Day Long Pontoon Rental
    • Trifecta - Best Female Derby Hat - $300 Gift Card to Orange Beach Store
    Safari and Vine sign with lion head in a wine glass with vines around it

    Kentucky Derby Watch Party - Safari and Vine

    • 📅 Saturday May 2nd, 4-7 pm
    • 📍 Safari & Vine

    Contest for best dressed and best hats. Safari & Vine will be serving mint juleps, hot browns, specialty Derby drinks, and light bites.

    Tee off sign with palm tree logo on a brick wall with palm trees and Wharf Ferris Wheel behind it

    Talk Derby to Me Event - Tee Off at The Wharf

    • 📅 Saturday May 2nd, 2 pm
    • 📍 Tee Off at The Wharf

    Talk Derby to Me… it's time for a Par-Tee at Tee Off at The Wharf. Enjoy Derby day inspired cocktails and drink specials, Watch the Derby on the giant screen at Portside at The Wharf, live music from 12-4 pm, games and raffles for all ages, Swing Suites open, and a chance to win a Titleist Golf Bag.

    huge tv screen over a band stand with people standing by tables at the Soundwave bar, Embassy Suites Gulf Shores

    Kentucky Derby Watch Party Sound Wave

    • 📅 Saturday May 2nd, 11 am
    • 📍Sound Wave at The Embassy Gulf Shores

    Best Dressed Contest is at 3 PM, and the best look wins a free Sound Wave tee.

    Derby Day - Swift-Coles Historic Home

    • 📅 Saturday May 2nd, 2-4 pm
    • 📍 Swift-Coles Historic Home, Bon Secour

    Derby Day at the Swift-Coles Historic Home is a fundraiser for Swift Coles Home and the Baldwin County Heritage Museum. They will have games, refreshments, and a hat contest. Cost - $60/person, call for reservations

    Kentucky Derby at Angry Crab Shack

    • 📅 Saturday May 2nd, 11 am opening
    • 📍 Angry Crab Shack, Orange Beach

    Angry Crab Shack is opening early for the Kentucky Derby and hosting a full day on their outdoor patio. Enjoy all-you-can-eat-crawfish, live music, and Derby fun.

    • $6 Mint Juleps & $6 Kentucky Mules
    • Arrowgrass Band | 1-4 pm
    • Chitlin Switch | 5-8 pm
    • Main race on the big screen at 6 pm + 75" TV giveaway after the race (must be present to win!)
    Welcome to Barometer Tiki & Raw Bar sign with a tiki figure next to it.

    Kentucky Derby Weekend at Tiki & Raw Bar

    • 📅 Friday May 1 and Saturday May 2
    • 📍 Tiki & Raw Bar Orange Beach

    Tiki & Raw Bar in Orange Beach is celebrating Kentucky Derby weekend with Derby drink specials, a best dressed contest, Pick a horse & spin the wheel, and more.

    Where to buy Kentucky Derby Gear

    Emporium at C - They have Jocky top earrings, Mint julep swig tumblers, and more cute things perfect for a Derby Day party.

    Little Sunshine by the Sea - They are hosting a Run for the Sun event on Saturday May 2nd from 10 am - 6 pm. Enjoy in store promotions and refreshments.

    Bottlenose dolphin jumping out of a wave on the Gulf of Mexico

    Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours

    These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.

    Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here

    Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.

    Slingshot Rentals - Use code GULFJOURNEY To save 10% off a Slingshot Rental with Gulf Coast Rental Co in Orange Beach

    Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here

    Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasailing Trip Here

    Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here

    Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

    Gulf of Mexico views with Turquoise Place condo and white sand beach

    Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging

    If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have personally stayed at each of these lodging options (except Margaritaville, coming 2027!):

    Use code GULFJOURNEY at checkout with Spectrum Resorts and Beachball Properties for an exclusive discount!

    🏖️ Beachball Properties - Vacation houses and condos throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount. Book with Beachball Properties

    🏖️ The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - Beachfront condos with amazing amenities, a spa, and the incredible Coast Restaurant on-site. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book The Beach Club

    🏖️ Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic Gulf-front views, and stunning condos. Truly unforgettable. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book Turquoise Place

    🏨 The Tides Hotel (Orange Beach) - Gorgeous beachfront hotel with a great breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, and top-notch customer service. Book The Tides

    🏨 Island House Hotel (Orange Beach) - Right on the beach with epic views from every room. Book Island House

    ⛺ Timberline Glamping (Orange Beach) - Stay in an amazing glamping tent with a private bathroom, right next to Gulf State Park. Book Timberline

    🏨 The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Beachfront Hilton hotel in Gulf State Park offering epic views, sustainable practices, and great on-site restaurants. Book The Lodge

    🏨 Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf with a gorgeous pool. Perfect location for shopping and dining. Book Springhill Suites

    🔜 Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach (Coming 2027) - The highly anticipated Margaritaville resort is coming to Orange Beach! The first phase opens in 2027 and will include beachfront cottages, bungalows, condos, pickleball courts, and an entertainment district.

    The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.

    Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!

    We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.

    Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!

    Check out our Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.

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