There are a ton of great things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in March! Spring break, festivals, the Blue Angels, and so much more!
Things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in March
The weather is warming up and it is finally Spring! The month of March is filled with great events and things to do!
Spring is the perfect time of year to plan a beach vacation trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Fewer crowds, warm weather, and beautiful beaches all make this the perfect place to visit.
March Events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
March is a fantastic time to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast! There are a ton of great things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, epic events, and Spring Break!
A few things to remember in March include that no alcohol is allowed on Gulf Shores or Orange Beach beaches from March 1st to April 28th, and this is highly enforced!
Beach Parking Fees Resume
Date - Starting March 1st through November 30th
𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴:
- Gulf Place (main public beach area)
- West Gulf Place
- West 5th Street
- West 6th Street
- West 10th Street
- West 13th Street
- Lagoon Pass
There is a new parking fee app that allows you to pay for parking on your phone and monitor how much time you have available.
𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
- East 1st Avenue
- East 1st Street
- East 2nd Street
- West 1st Avenue
- West 2nd Avenue
- West 1st Street
- West 2nd Street
- West 5th Street North of Beach Boulevard
- West 12th Street
Residents with a valid 2024-25 hurricane re-entry/beach parking pass can park at all public parking locations for free.
Ballyhoo Festival
Dates - March 1-2, 2025
Location - Gulf State Park, Lake Shelby Picnic Area
Check out this epic art festival, food trucks, live music, and so much more. Enjoy performances by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Banjo and Fiddle competition, art demonstrations, and kids art activities.
Mardi Gras 2025
Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, March 4, 2025!
We will update this post as soon we know the dates of the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and The Wharf Mardi Gras Parades.
Perdido Beach Half Marathon and Fun Run and 5K
Dates - Saturday, March 8
Location - Perdido Beach Resort
The Perdido Beach Resort Half Marathon, 5k, and Fun Run support the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation.
The race follows the beachfront road and includes going over the Perdido Pass Bridge with epic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
There will be a Bubbles on the Beach post-race party that sounds amazing.
2025 Waterway Village Concert Series
The City of Gulf Shores announced the Waterway Village Series, a FREE six-concert series taking place this spring at East 24th Avenue.
Dates - TBD
Orange Beach Festival of Art
Dates - March 8 - 9, 2025
Sunday, March 10: 10 am to 4 pm
Location - Orange Beach Waterfront Park
Enjoy a weekend of art and great music at The Orange Beach Waterfront Park next to the Coastal Art Center.
This event has been happening for more than 50 years and celebrates visual, performing, musical, and culinary arts.
Mustang & Mega Car Show
Dates - TBD
Location - Downtown OWA
Check out the 44th annual Gulf Coast Regional Mustang and Mega Car Show presented by the Gulf Coast Regional Mustang Club.
This free event includes a carnival and lawn games, RC Car racing, live music, and an award show.
Easter Photos at The Wharf
Dates - TBD
Location - The Wharf, Coastal Alabama Business Chamber office, Suite K6, 1st Floor
Wear your Easter best and enjoy photos with live an fuzzy bunnies from a professional photographer. There are fantastic keepsake family photos.
The Wharf Ferris Wheel Re-Opens
Date - TBD
The Wharf Ferris Wheel re-opens on TBD after being closed for the winter!
Goat Yoga at OWA
Dates - TBD
Location - Native Treasures and Pickleball at OWA
No yoga skills are required to enjoy goat yoga! Meet baby goats while enjoying a calm yoga event with Lazy Day Farms.
Make sure to bring a towel or yoga mat with you.
Flora-Bama Boozy Bee Spelling Bee
Dates - TBD
Location - Flora-Bama Beach Bar
Do you have nightmares thinking back to elementary school spelling bees? The Flora-Bama has an event that will make you think of spelling bees in a whole new way.
They choose 10 participants who must be prepared to mix alcohol with a vocabulary competition to see who is the Flora-Bama Boozy Bee Spelling Bee Champion.
They highly suggest coming in your best Boozy Bee costume.
The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show
Dates - March 21-23, 2025
Location - The Wharf
This three-day boat show features hundreds of boats and yachts on land and at the Wharf Marina. Over $100 million in boats will be at the event.
There will be 120 wet slip boats and yachts on display along with more than 700+ sport & console boats on land.
If you are looking to buy a boat or want to learn more about boating this is a great event to attend. They also raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with the Triple Crown Fighting Chair Challenge.
Marine Artist Larry Rackley will be teaching art classes for kids.
Flora-Bama Beach Run for America's Warriors
Date - TBD
Location - Flora Bama
St. Patrick's Day Events
TBD
Orange Beach Invasion
Date - March 14 - 16, 2025
Location - The Wharf
Flora-Bama Easter Egg Hunt and Services
Date - TBD
Location - The Flora Bama
Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
Dates - March 14 - 16
Location - Downtown Fairhope
Blue Angels Practice
Date - March TBD
Location - NAS Pensacola
Gates open at 9:30 am
The Blue Angels are scheduled to take off at 10:30 am
The 27th 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.
The Original German Sausage Festival
Date - March 29, 2025
Location - Elberta, Alabama
The Elberta Sausage Festival is a huge local event! It is expected that 7,000 pounds of German Sausage will be consumed during the event.
Enjoy Elberta's famous German sausage and sauerkraut, plus continuous entertainment for adults and children, and 250 arts & crafts booths.
Don't miss the Bier Garden with a large selection of imported and domestic beers. Foods will include German-style filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans and rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, popcorn, peanuts, and homemade baked goods.
March 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.
Sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico
The sun is quickly moving to the north. The first of March is a great time to see the sunrise over the Gulf before it moves out of view from the public beaches.
Check out our favorite places to see sunrise in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Slingshot Rental
Cruise the streets in style in a Polaris Slingshot! Drive around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores in a three wheeled showstopper that is sure to grab attention.
I know we always comment when we see them cruising down the road. Let the wind flow through your hair as you cruise.
The weather is warming up which make it the perfect time to cruise in style.
Book a Polaris Slingshot Rental HERE
Pontoon Boat Rental
Renting a pontoon boat with a waterslide is on our must do list now that we live in Gulf Shores.
I can't wait to take friends and family out on a pontoon boat with a slide on a warm day. You will definitely hear me squeal with joy as I slide into the Gulf waters.
Book your Pontoon Boat Rental HERE
Bushwacker Restaurant Tour
This tour is unique to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and offers you the opportunity to learn more about the World Famous Bushwacker cocktail and of course try them.
A tour guide will take you to multiple locations to try this signature drink and local food specials.
Book your Bushwacker Tour HERE
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Weather in March
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach enjoy amazing Spring weather in March, with temperatures ranging from 56 degrees to 78 degrees.
Daylight hours increase in March with the shortest day of the month on March 1, with 11 hours, 34 minutes of daylight and the longest day of daylight on March 31, with 12 hours, 29 minutes of daylight.
The earliest sunset is 5:50 PM on March 1 and the latest sunset is 1 hour, 19 minutes later at 7:09 PM on March 31.
Daylight saving time (DST) ends at 3:00 AM on March 10, 2024.
Average water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico continue to rise by 4 degrees. Going from 63°F to 67°F, over the course of the month.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have stayed at each of these lodging options:
The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan): This resort offers beachfront condos with amazing amenities and a great spa. Don't miss dinner at Coast Restaurant.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Turquoise Place Luxury Vacation Rentals (Orange Beach): This is our favorite resort in the area! It offers luxury amenities, epic beachfront views, and unbelievable condos.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Springhill Suites Orange Beach: Located next to The Wharf, it is an excellent location near shopping and dining. 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.
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 Gulf Coast Travel Guides
Gulf Shores Public Beach - Check out the world-famous white sands of Gulf Shores at our favorite public beach.
Donut Shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Start your morning with a sweet treat!
Unique Things to do in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores - There are so many amazing and unique things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama!
Cotton Bayou Public Beach Access - provides easy access to one of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach restaurants with a view - Check out all of the great restaurants that have epic water views.
Looking ahead, make sure to check out our January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December Guides to 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!
Check out our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.
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