Peel, Eat, Repeat—Shrimp Fest is Here!

Every October, Gulf Shores proves there’s no such thing as “too much shrimp.” The 52nd Annual National Shrimp Festival returns October 9–12, 2025, and with it comes four days of buttery fingers, sandy toes, and music that drifts down the shoreline. Think of it as Alabama’s unofficial kickoff to fall—only here, the pumpkins are swapped for peel-and-eat platters!

A Feast by the Shore

Held where Highway 59 meets the sand, this festival is impossible to miss. Admission is free, but your appetite better come ready! Shrimp is the star—fried, grilled, stuffed, skewered, or wrapped up in creative takes you didn’t see coming. And if you need a break from seafood, you’ll find barbecue, conch fritters, and plenty of sweet bites to round out the menu.

But the plates are only half the story. Two music stages keep the rhythm alive all weekend, pairing Gulf Coast locals with national headliners in one amazing lineup. In between sets, explore the arts and crafts stretch, where more than 200 makers turn the shoreline into a treasure hunt for something you didn’t know you needed.

More Than a Meal

What makes Shrimp Fest a tradition isn’t just what’s on the plate—it’s the ways it stitches the community together. Families can dive into sand sculpting contests or keep the kids busy at the Children’s Activity Village, while the early risers lace up for the annual 5K. And with more than 250,000 visitors expected, the festival doesn’t just feed appetites—it fuels the local economy. Hotels brim with guests, Highway 59 turns into a parade of beach wagons, and Baldwin County shines in the national spotlight.

For locals, Shrimp Fest is pride served with cocktail sauce. For everyone else, it’s the perfect excuse to spend a long weekend with sand between your toes, live music in your ears, and a plate of Gulf shrimp in hand.

Alabama’s weekends are made for music, food, and community—find your next festival adventure at www.guidetoalabama.com/festivals!