From hands-on family activities and outdoor adventures to garden tours, food festivals and local history celebrations, Baldwin County and surrounding areas will offer a wide variety of events for …
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From hands-on family activities and outdoor adventures to garden tours, food festivals and local history celebrations, Baldwin County and surrounding areas will offer a wide variety of events for residents and visitors in the coming days.
Families can dig into spring planting at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, spend the weekend exploring Gulf State Park during Venture Out or kick off summer during opening weekend at Waterville USA. Garden enthusiasts will have the chance to tour some of the region’s most carefully cultivated landscapes during the Mobile County Master Gardeners Tour of Gardens, while history lovers can experience Mobile folklore and local traditions during the annual Boyington Oak Festival. Community events honoring veterans, hurricane preparedness workshops and family-friendly festivals in nearby Pensacola also will provide opportunities to learn, explore and celebrate along the Gulf Coast.
Whether looking for outdoor recreation, educational programs, live entertainment or seasonal fun, there will be no shortage of ways to enjoy what the area has to offer this weekend.
These events, along with many others happening throughout the region, appear on our Happenings pages as space permits and online at www.GulfCoastMedia.com/things-to-do-events. Most event coverage is published online in advance of the event, making it easier to plan ahead.
For the fastest placement, submit events to the online calendar at www.GulfCoastMedia.com/calendar. Calendar submissions are published the same day they are received and are considered for inclusion in print listings. Up to 10 events are selected each week for print publication.
What: Families are invited to a hands-on spring planting event featuring opportunities to learn about crops, explore farm equipment and discover what goes into the ground during planting season. Children and adults will receive free seeds to take home and grow together. Registration is required. For more information, visit www.aces.edu/event/dig-in-and-discover-inside-planting-season or contact Sarah Butterworth at sfb0010@aces.edu or (251) 937-7176.
When: Thursday, May 14, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, 8300 Alabama 104, Fairhope
Price: Free
What: The Mobile County Master Gardeners 2026 Tour of Gardens will feature eight gardens across Mobile during a three-day self-guided event. Designed and maintained by Master Gardeners, the gardens will showcase practical ideas for both small and large spaces along with research-based information on featured plants. Visitors can tour gardens in Downtown and Midtown, Springhill and West Mobile and South Mobile County at their own pace. Organizers note that some gardens may not be handicapped accessible. Pets, strollers and smoking are not permitted at garden sites. Additional information and tickets are available at www.mobilecountymastergardeners.org/2026tour.
When: Friday, May 15-Sunday, May 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Where: Multiple locations throughout Mobile
Price: $20
What: Venture Out is a three-day outdoor festival featuring nature-focused activities, workshops and tours throughout Gulf State Park and along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. The family-friendly event includes programming at the Learning Campus, Lake Shelby, the Nature Center and the Gulf Coast Eco-Center. A dozen local and regional artists also will create live plein air paintings throughout the weekend, with completed artwork displayed at The Lodge from 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Some events require advance registration. More information is available at www.gulfshores.com/events/venture-out/.
When: Friday, May 15-Sunday, May 17, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Multiple locations throughout Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Price: Mix of free and paid events
What: The Armed Forces Day celebration will feature two related events hosted by the South Alabama Veterans Council and Battleship Memorial Park at the Battleship Memorial Park Aircraft Pavilion. The Veterans Service Organizations expo will include National Guard and Reserve units, veteran support groups, culinary classes, chefs and additional exhibitors. The expo begins at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public. The cook-off competition, judged by local chefs, will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Parking fees apply and additional charges may be required for access to the battleship and other attractions. For more information, contact armedforcesdaymobile@gmail.com.
When: Saturday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.; cook-off 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Battleship Memorial Park Aircraft Pavilion, 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile
Price: Free admission; parking and attraction fees apply
What: The Storm Ready Workshop will provide homeowners and property managers with hands-on instruction focused on hurricane preparedness and storm recovery. Sessions will cover landscape preparation, chainsaw and generator safety, tree risk assessment, storm supply kits and emergency planning. Lunch is included with registration. Advance registration is required at https://aces.edu/go/5923.
When: Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Gulf Coast Eco Center
Price: $10
What: Waterville USA will kick off its summer season with the opening day of its waterpark. Guests can enjoy slides, pools and other attractions throughout the park. Ticket information is available at https://watervilleusa.com/tickets.
When: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Waterville USA, 906 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores
Price: Ticket prices vary
What: The inaugural Pensacola Pickles and Wings Family Festival will feature pickle-inspired foods, chicken wings, live entertainment, a vendor marketplace, carnival-style games, eating contests and interactive activities for families. A portion of proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida. Event details are available at www.pensacolafest.com. For more information, call (850) 941-4321.
When: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Seville Square, 311 E. Government St., Pensacola
Price: Free admission
What: The seventh annual Boyington Oak Festival will celebrate the nearly 200-year-old Mobile legend surrounding Charles Boyington, a journeyman printer, poet and musician who reportedly predicted an oak tree would grow from his gravesite to prove his innocence after his execution. Festival activities will include performances of “The Truth is in the Tree” by Mary S. Palmer, tours of the Oakleigh House Museum and guided trolley tours retracing the historic gallows walk tied to Boyington’s story. Additional attractions include an antique car show, appearances by the Azalea Trail Maids and Mobile Belles, food vendors and refreshments. More information is available at boyingtonoak.info/events. Questions and reservations may be directed to info@boyingtonoaksociety.com.
When: Saturday, May 16, 1-6 p.m.
Where: Oakleigh House Museum, Mobile
Price: Play tickets $20, Oakleigh tours $10, trolley tours $25
