The Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival is one of the biggest events of the year. Get ready to enjoy amazing food, live music, great shopping, crafts, and more!
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Gulf Shores 51st Annual Shrimp Festival
2025 Dates - October 9 - 12th, 2025 (Thursday to Sunday)
Hours - Thursday - Saturday 10 am - 10 pm, Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
Location - Gulf Place Beach Walkway and grassy area. 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores
The intersection of Hwy 59 and East Beach Blvd.
Cost - Free!
The Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival is a volunteer-driven event that locals and visitors look forward to every year.
The four-day event is a project of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. You can't get a better location next to the beautiful beaches of Coastal Alabama.
Get ready for multiple entertainment stages, a children's activity village, Gulf seafood, and fun! Gulf Shores
Things to do at the Shrimp Festival
Festival highlights include regional vendors, local and national musical acts, food vendors with delicious seafood, and more.
Eat
Please come hungry to the Shrimp Festival! There are so many food vendors you are going to want to try.
When I walked through my first Shrimp Festival, I was so in awe of the options that I ended up walking up and down the food booths a few times to decide what we had to try.
Food you need to try:
- Gulf Shrimp boiled, fried, steamed, and...
- Cajun pistols
- Conch Fritters
- Crab Cakes
- Fish tacos
- Shrimp Po'boys
Don't worry if you don't eat or enjoy seafood. You can also find burgers, pizza, hot dogs, pasta, desserts, salads, and more.
Look for "Best of the Fest" signs to see food vendors that have won awards at previous Shrimp Festivals.
2023 Best of the Fest Food vendor winner - Florida's Fine Food for their shrimp etouffee.
Live Music
Over 40 acts will play during the Annual National Shrimp Festival, providing hours of musical entertainment!
Musical acts include jazz, classic rock, 80s rock, Motown, and local acts.
East Stage near Phoenix All Suites • West Stage near green area & sail shade
2025 Entertainment highlights include: Style, The Troy Laz Band, The Molly Ringwalds, The Velcro Pygmies, Doctor Zarr's Amazing Funk Monster, Crab Riot, and the Groovinators.
Thursday - October 9th
East Stage:
- Lisa Christian - 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.
- Tophat and Jackie - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Ryan Balthrop - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Yeah, Probably - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- The Wildflowers: Tom Petty Tribute - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Style - 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
West Stage
- Lefty Collins - 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.
- The 222's - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Group Therapy - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Nothing Easy - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Eagle Sunrise: Eagles Tribute - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Troy Laz Band - 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday • October 10th
East Stage
- Alan Renfroe - 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.
- Chitlin Switch - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Gringo Fife - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Rockstarfish - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Bay Bridge Band - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- The Molly Ringwalds - 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
West Stage
- Riley Lynn - 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.
- Kat Deal - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Undertow Band - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- The Platinum Premier Band - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Get Sideways - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- The Velcro Pygmies - 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday • October 11th
East Stage
- Miss Shrimp Festival Presentation - 10:00 a.m to 10:15 a.m.
- Brent Burns - 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Strickly Rivers - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Elvis Remembered - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Parris Band - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Mainstream Band - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Doctor Zarr's Amazing Funk Monster - 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
West Stage
- Singing for Scholarships Competition - 10:00 a.m to 1 p.m.
- Petty Betty - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- LA Vagabonds - 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Best of British: AC/DC & Def Leppard Tribute - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday • October 12th
East Stage
- Church Service - 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.
- Southern Magnolia Trio - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Howlin' Grace - 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
- Crab Riot - 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
West Stage
- Jesse Taylor Perry - 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.
- Chase Brown - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- High Cotton - 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
- The Groovinators - 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Shopping!
During the festival, you can enjoy arts & crafts, including fine arts, retail vendors, and more. There are close to 300 vendors that will have displays during the event.
I would suggest bringing a bag to carry any purchases home with you. If you have a BOGG beach bag or something similar, it would work great for holding small bags.
Vendors sell jewelry, unique crafts, door hangers, calendars, photo art, paintings, and more. At my first Shrimp Festival, I was shocked at how many things I wanted to bring home with me.
Sand Sculpture Contest
On Saturday, there is a fun sand sculpture contest held at the west end of the beach. Registration and sand sculpture building starts at 11 am. Judging will be at 3 pm.
Sand Castle University will be on the beach, providing live demonstrations during the content. Sand Castle University is also doing live demonstrations on Friday at 1 pm, 2:30 pm and 4 pm.
The Sand Sculpture content age categories include:
- 5-10 years
- 11-15 years
- 16 years & up - Adult
- Family (all ages) - If you wish to help your child/children, please enter the "Family" category.
There are prizes for each category!
- Winner: Cash Prize, (1) Sand Sculpture Trophy per team, (1) ribbon & (1) poster per team member (limit 4)
- 2nd Place: (1) Ribbon & (1) poster per team member (limit 4)
- 3rd Place: (1) Ribbon & (1) poster per team member (limit 4)
- Honorable Mention: (1) Ribbon & (1) poster per team member (limit 4)
Book a Sand Castle University Class for your Family here
10K and 5K Shrimp Festival Races
10K starts at 7:30 am, 5k starts at 7:45 am
The Annual National Shrimp Festival races make their way around the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores High School Cross Country and Track teams.
Kid's Activity Village
There is a great area designated for kids to have fun. Kids can enjoy arts, crafts, games, and so much more.
In past years, there has been face painting, the bubble truck, and play equipment.
Things to know when attending the Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival
Parking
Parking for the Shrimp Festival is first come, first served. I will warn you now that it can get very crowded quickly during the festival.
Local businesses and private homeowners will set up parking spaces for a parking fee during the festival.
ADA Accessible Parking
ADA Accessible parking credentials are needed to utilize the ADA lot on the west side of Gulf Island Grill Restaurant (244 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores).
The lot can be accessed by traveling west on Beach Blvd. There is a security guard at the entrance who will check credentials for access to the lot.
Park and Ride Shuttle Service
For $6.00 a day, you can use the Park and Ride Shuttle Service. Enjoy unlimited rides to and from the festival on the day of the purchase with your wristbands.
Children under the age of 5 are not allowed on the shuttle bus due to state law. Proceeds from the shuttle service go to the Gulf Shores City Schools Dolphin Athletic Club and Band Booster Club.
Shuttle Schedule
- Thursday: 1:30 pm - 10:15 pm
- Friday: 9:45 am - 10:15 pm
- Saturday: 9:45 am - 10:15 pm
- Sunday: 9:45 am - 5:15 pm
Shuttle Stops/Parking Locations
- Pelican Place Shopping Center, Gulf Shores (ADA Accessible shuttle)
- Waterway Village Lot: 101 Canal Dr
- Waves Grocery, Gulf Shores - 1154 West Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores (Walk up only no parking)
- Rouses Grocery, Orange Beach - 25405 Perdido Beach Blvd (ADA Accessible shuttle)
The East shuttle will drop off at the East Gulf Place Public Beach Access, The North/West Shuttle will drop off at the corner of West 2nd St and West Beach BLVD.
Accessible Shuttle Stops
- Pelican Place - Gulf Shores
- Rouses Market - Orange Beach
Road Closures
- The West Gulf Place parking lot will close to the public beginning Monday, October 7, to be utilized for tent and food vendor setup.
- Highway 59 will be closed at 1st Avenue beginning Tuesday, October 8.
- Highway 182 (Gulf Beach Boulevard) will be closed to the public between East 1st Street and West 3rd Street, in front of Gulf Place Public Beach, beginning Tuesday, October 8.
- East Gulf Place (Resident Parking Lot) will be closed to the public beginning Thursday, October 10, and will be utilized as vendor parking and shuttle location.
- Eastbound traffic toward Orange Beach should consider using Highway 180 East or State Park Road Highway 135 as alternate routes.
Pets
Pets are not allowed on the festival grounds.
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.
Additional Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Articles
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Best Breakfast and Brunch in Gulf Shores - One of the best things about Gulf Shores Restaurants is all of the local diners and breakfast spots. From local coffee shops to breakfast diners, there is something for everyone.
Family-friendly restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Great kid friendly restaurants the entire family will love.
Check out our January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December Event Guides to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
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.
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!
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