Seafood, Speed, & Sweet Tunes!
Late February is when Orange Beach hits its stride. The crowds are lighter, the weather behaves, and the town knows exactly how to throw a party. Enter the 34th Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show, rolling into The Wharf on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is not a grab-a-plate-and-go situation; it’s a full afternoon of wandering, tasting, listening, and admiring, all set against the backdrop of coastal Alabama at its most relaxed. The festival spreads out along Main Street, with the smell of slow-cooked Gulf shrimp and crawfish drifting through the air and the shine of classic cars catching the sun.
A Festival That Knows Its Crowd
Food is the main event, and it delivers. Seafood booths line the walkways serving everything from fried favorites to regional specialties, all rooted in Gulf Coast tradition. Between bites, festivalgoers drift toward local artists and makers showing off handcrafted goods that feel right at home in a beach town.
Music keeps things moving, with live performances setting an easygoing soundtrack for the day. Families settle into the rhythm quickly thanks to a Kids Zone that keeps younger guests entertained while parents enjoy another lap around the food tents.
Then there’s the car show. Organized by the MAAAC car club, the show brings a parade of classics, hot rods, and custom builds stretching down Main Street. It is the kind of lineup that pulls in casual admirers and serious gearheads alike, cameras out and conversations flowing. Car enthusiasts can register their vehicles for the show here.
What to expect:
- Fresh Gulf seafood served all afternoon
- A large-scale car show with classic and custom vehicles
- Live music and local performers
- Artists, makers, and coastal-inspired finds
- Family friendly fun with a dedicated Kids Zone
More Than a Good Time
Beyond the food and fun, the festival has a purpose. Proceeds from the car show fundraiser support local schools, making this one of those feel-good events where showing up actually gives back to the community.
Every year, tens of thousands of people turn out for this free festival, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you come for the seafood, the chrome, or the music drifting through the salty air, the Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show delivers a full day that feels unmistakably Alabama.
Keep the party going all year long with more Alabama festivals at guidetoalabama.com/festivals.