Every October, Gulf Shores, Alabama celebrates its legacy of being a seafood lover’s paradise. The much-anticipated 52nd Annual National Shrimp Festival is scheduled for October 9-12, 2025, held along the Gulf Place public beach access at 101 Gulf Shores Parkway, where Hwy 59 meets East Beach Blvd.
What’s the Shrimp Festival All About?
This beloved coastal tradition isn’t just about shrimp. For four days, Gulf Shores hosts a full roster of food, music, contests, arts, and family fun. The festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors. Organized by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and powered largely by local volunteers, the festival is a celebration of Gulf Coast culture, seafood, and community.
Dates, Hours & Admission
Dates: Thursday, October 9 to Sunday, October 12, 2025 Hours:
- Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Admission: Free. You don’t need a ticket to enter the festival grounds.
What to Expect — Food, Fun & Festivities
Seafood & Food Vendors
Shrimp is the star. Festival chefs and vendors will prepare shrimp in many ways—fried, boiled, steamed, skewered, stuffed, and more. Non-seafood options like burgers, pizza, hot dogs, and pasta will also be available. The Restaurant Challenge allows area chefs to compete in crafting the most creative dishes, with festivalgoers sampling and judging.
Live Music on Two Stages
Music is a major part of the festival. Over 100 hours of musical entertainment will take place over the four days, featuring national, regional, and local acts. Genres include blues, country, southern rock, jazz, Motown, zydeco, and more. Some headline performers for 2025 include Style and The Troy Laz Band (Thursday), The Molly Ringwalds and Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster (Friday), with additional performers for Saturday and Sunday to be announced.
Art, Crafts & Shopping
Expect a vibrant marketplace with nearly 300 vendors offering food, arts & crafts, fine art, and retail. From jewelry and pottery to paintings and unique gifts, there will be plenty to browse when taking a break from eating.
Family Fun & Contests
- Children’s Activity Village: Open daily 10 AM–5 PM with supervised arts, crafts, and games.
- Sand Sculpture Contest: Held on Saturday at the west end of the beach, with cash prizes.
- 5K / 10K Run & Walk: Weekend run/walk events benefit local education and community causes.
- Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant, Singing for Scholarships, and other contests enhance community engagement.
Tips for Festival-Goers
- Arrive early: The festival can get busy, and parking is limited.
- Use the shuttle: Shuttle service is available to ease parking congestion.
- No pets or coolers inside: Leave pets and coolers at home.
- Bring cash/cards: Vendors will take payments for food, crafts, and shuttle wristbands.
- Book lodging early: Accommodations fill up quickly around festival weekend.
Daily Schedule Highlights
Thursday, October 9:
- Festival opens 10:00 AM
- Music: Style and The Troy Laz Band
Friday, October 10:
- Music: The Molly Ringwalds, Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster
- Restaurant Challenge judging
Saturday, October 11:
- Sand Sculpture Contest at the west end of the beach
- 5K / 10K Run & Walk
- Additional live music and vendor activities
Sunday, October 12:
- Festival closes at 5:00 PM
- Family activities and final musical performances
Best Food Stalls to Visit
- Shrimp Po’Boys
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Shrimp Boil Stations
- Local Seafood Tacos
- Non-seafood options like pizza and burgers
Why It’s Worth the Trip
- Free admission for all visitors
- Draws crowds of 250,000 to 300,000+ people, one of the Gulf Coast’s marquee fall events
- Offers a mix of food, art, concerts, contests, and beach activities ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers
- Supports local community causes, businesses, and education while celebrating Gulf shrimp and culture
Website: myshrimpfest.com/
