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!
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 no alcohol is allowed on Gulf Shores or Orange Beach beaches from March 1st to April 28th! 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
Pay stations at each site accept cash and credit cards, though they do not issue change.
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 2023-24 hurricane re-entry/beach parking pass can park at all public parking locations for free.
Perdido Beach Half Marathon and Fun Run and 5K
Dates - Saturday, March 2
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.
2024 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.
Residents and guests are invited to come out and enjoy live music every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., beginning March 7 and continuing through April 11.
Orange Beach Festival of Art
Dates - Saturday, March 9th: 10 am to 5 pm
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 - Saturday, March 9th, 10 am - 4 pm
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 - March: 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 + 29-30
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 - March 9th
The Wharf Ferris Wheel re-opens on March 9th after being closed for the winter!
Goat Yoga at OWA
Dates - Sunday, March 10, 2 pm
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 - Sunday, March 10th, 5-6pm
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 15 to 17th
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
Awards will be given in 1st, 2nd & 3rd place for all age groups in the run, the walk, and the half marathon.
St. Patrick's Day Events
Orange Beach Invasion
Ronald McDonald House Rubber Ducky Regatta
Breakfast with the Bunny
Flora-Bama Easter Egg Hunt and Services
11:00am - Flora-Bama tent opens for children's Easter arts and crafts.
12:00pm - The Easter Egg Hunt starts (There are specific age groups)
12:30pm - Easter bunny skydives on Flora-Bama Beach
1:00pm-2:00pm - Photos with Easter bunny in the tent
Additional March Events along the Alabama Gulf Coast
BBQ & Blues Cookoff
Dates - March 8 & 9
Location - Downtown Foley’s Heritage Park
Friday 5:00 - 9:00 PM - Live Entertainment from Josh Newcom, Brittany Grimes, and Wes Loper
Saturday
10:00 AM - Gates Open
11:00 AM - Samples Begin
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Entertainment
4:00 PM - Awards
Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
Blue Angels Practice
Date - March 26 & 27th
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
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
Jet Ski Rentals
For fun on the water you can take a Jet Ski Tour or rent Jet Skis to hit the backcountry waters of Wolf Bay and the Gulf Coast.
You can see dolphins and wildlife while taking an adventurous ride on the water!
Book your Jet Ski Rentals HERE
Book your Jet Ski Tours 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.
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.
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
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, 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 Tik Tok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.
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