The Gulf Coast is rolling into the unofficial start of summer with a packed weekend of live music, waterfront gatherings, downtown block parties and family-friendly festivals stretching from Foley to …
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The Gulf Coast is rolling into the unofficial start of summer with a packed weekend of live music, waterfront gatherings, downtown block parties and family-friendly festivals stretching from Foley to Orange Beach and all the way to Mobile.
Expect everything from Motown-inspired beach dance parties and scavenger hunts to turtle conservation celebrations, outdoor movies under the stars and patriotic tributes timed for Memorial Day weekend. Whether it is sand between your toes in Gulf Shores, a night out in downtown Foley or a community celebration under the oak trees in Silverhill, there is something happening in nearly every direction.
The weekend’s energy also carries into Monday with a can’t-miss stop in Mobile as the Tunnel to Towers Foundation brings its “Steel Across America” tour to the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. The national tribute features a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center and marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, offering a powerful moment of remembrance and reflection to close out the holiday 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: Foley Main Street and presenting sponsor South Baldwin Social will host “Yes, It’s Ladies’ Night” in conjunction with Downtown Foley’s Third Thursday event. The evening will feature live music, downtown business specials and a community scavenger hunt designed to encourage visitors to explore local shops and restaurants. Participants can enjoy a festive downtown atmosphere with extended shopping, dining and entertainment as part of the citywide Third Thursday celebration. For more information, visit https://downtown-foley-third-thursdays-25323.grwebsite.com/.
When: Thursday, May 21, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Downtown Foley
Price: Free admission
What: The city of Gulf Shores will host its annual S’mores on the Shore event featuring complimentary s’mores packets, live DJ music, a balloon artist and face painting. Fresh watermelon provided by Wheeles Realty also will be available. Attendees can visit vendors including the Hog Wild food truck, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the beachside gathering. For more information, contact the Special Events Division at (251) 968-1171 or visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/specialevents.
When: Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m.
Where: Gulf Place, 101 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores
Price: Free admission
What: The Alabama Poppy Project will relocate its annual Memorial Day exhibition to the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park for its 2026 display honoring deceased service members and veterans. Founded in 2020 by Prattville artist Julianne Hansen, the project features handmade red stoneware poppies mounted on steel rods with white ribbons bearing the names of deceased veterans. The 2026 exhibition will include 2,026 poppies displayed in a field designed to move with the wind. Visitors may sponsor a poppy in honor of a loved one and receive a handmade stoneware poppy to keep along with a dedication ribbon displayed during the exhibit. Organizers also maintain an online registry where participants may include photographs and biographies of honorees. Additional information about sponsorships, participation and volunteering is available at www.alabamapoppyproject.com.
When: Friday, May 22-Tuesday, May 26
Where: USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile
Price: Free admission
What: OWA Parks & Resort will kick off the summer season with its “Summer with a Splash” celebration featuring family-friendly activities, live entertainment, patriotic tributes and fireworks. Festivities on Friday include a fountain show, patriotic crafts, a scavenger hunt, live DJ music and “Pitch, Hit & Splash,” a water balloon baseball activity. Saturday events include a Presentation of Colors at 3 p.m., live music from The Heat at 3:30 p.m. and the Neil Dover Band at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks at 8:50 p.m. Sunday activities include crafts, games and the All-American Pie Showdown pie-eating contest. Tropic Falls attractions including rides, slides and water experiences also will be available throughout the weekend. More information is available through OWA Parks & Resort.
When: Friday, May 22-Sunday, May 24
Where: Downtown OWA, Foley
Price: Admission varies by activity and attraction
What: The Town of Silverhill will host a Summer Kickoff celebration featuring shaved ice from Shaved Ice Paradise and food from Salty Barb’s. Once it gets dark, organizers will show “High School Musical 2” under the oak tree as part of the family-friendly gathering.
When: Friday, May 22, 3 p.m.
Where: 15965 Silverhill Ave., Silverhill
Price: Free admission
What: Tiki & Raw Bar will celebrate World Turtle Day in partnership with The Turtle Saver with a day focused on sea turtle awareness and conservation. Guests can visit an informational booth to learn about protecting sea turtles and preserving local beaches and waterways. The family-friendly event also will feature live music throughout the day with Danny Holland performing from noon-3 p.m., Myles Lawson from 3-6 p.m. and the Roger Strick Band from 6-9 p.m.
When: Saturday, May 23, noon-9 p.m.
Where: Tiki & Raw Bar, 27844 Canal Road, Orange Beach
Price: Free admission
What: LuLu’s Gulf Shores will host LuLuPalooza, a Motown-inspired beach dance party celebrating the start of summer. The event will feature live music from Light Travelers Deluxe from 2-5 p.m. and 4 Barrel Funk from 6-10 p.m. Guests also can enjoy attractions including the Mountain of Youth Ropes Course and arcade along with food and drinks throughout the day.
When: Saturday, May 23, 2-10 p.m.
Where: LuLu’s Gulf Shores, 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores
Price: Free admission
What: The Shrine of the Holy Cross will host a Stella Maris celebration recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of current and former Merchant Mariners and seafarers as part of National Maritime Day observances. The event will include a special Mass followed by a reception in the Father Vincent Warren Parish Hall. Community members are invited to submit the names of past or present seafarers to be recognized during the event. Those planning to attend the reception are asked to RSVP by emailing sohcfaithformation@gmail.com.
When: Saturday, May 23, 5 p.m.
Where: Shrine of the Holy Cross, 612 Main St., Daphne
Price: Free admission
What: The Mobile Arts Council, in partnership with the Franklin family, will unveil a new mural honoring legendary Temptations bass singer Melvin Franklin during a family-friendly community block party. The mural, designed and painted by local artist JD Swiger, was created with input from the Franklin family and celebrates Franklin’s musical and cultural legacy. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the mural and celebrate the collaborative project with the community.
When: Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-noon
Where: International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1410, 509 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Mobile
Price: Free admission
What: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s “Steel Across America” tour will stop in Mobile as part of a nationwide tribute marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The tour carries a steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center across the country to honor those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and recognize first responders, military service members and veterans. The Mobile event will include a ceremonial tribute to the steel beam, remarks from foundation representatives and community members and educational programming about the legacy of 9/11. More information is available at https://t2t.org/steel-across-america-connecting-a-nation/.
When: Monday, May 25, 11 a.m.
Where: USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile
Price: Contact park for more details
