What do you get when you mix coastal art, live music, sandy beaches and plenty of shrimp?

The recipe for one unforgettable weekend — and the clock is ticking for vendors who want in.

Applications are due by the end of the day Friday, April 24, marking the final opportunity to participate in the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival, a signature Gulf Coast event that draws crowds from across the country each fall.

For more than 50 years, the volunteer-driven festival has been a tradition along the beaches of coastal Alabama, bringing together food, music, art and more for an action-packed weekend that attracts nearly 250,000 attendees each year. Entry to the festival grounds is free.

The 2026 festival is scheduled for Oct. 8 through Oct. 11 at 101 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores, located at the intersection of Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard. Hours are set for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The festival, known for pairing fresh seafood with a vibrant arts scene and live entertainment, features a wide range of vendor opportunities. Categories include fine arts, arts and crafts, retail merchandise, food vendors and the children’s activity village.

All applications will be reviewed through a juried selection process conducted by a volunteer committee, a Facebook post from the Festival's page said. Final selections are expected by early June, and organizers note that submission does not guarantee acceptance.

“Shrimp Fest wouldn’t be what it is without the vendors who travel from across the country to be part of it,” Ginny Barnas, co-chairman of the Annual National Shrimp Festival, said in the post. “We look forward to welcoming another outstanding group to Gulf Shores this October.”

Now in its 53rd year, the National Shrimp Festival has grown into a major cultural and economic draw for the area, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The event highlights Gulf seafood, regional artists and family-friendly attractions, all set against the backdrop of Alabama’s coastline.

Vendors interested in participating can learn more or apply online at www.myshrimpfest.com/apply.