Baldwin County, AL | Santa Rosa County, FL | Escambia County, FL
If there’s one week this fall when the Gulf Coast feels especially busy, this may be it.
The 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival takes over Gulf Shores for four days, the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival moves into its beach weekend, and Santa Rosa County’s Beaches to Woodlands celebration is in full swing with heritage events, fall festivals, and outdoor activities.
In other words, there’s a lot happening between Gulf Shores and Pensacola this week.
Here’s what’s worth putting on your calendar.
Baldwin County, Alabama
53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival
Thursday–Sunday, October 8–11
Gulf Shores Public Beach | Free admission
For one long weekend every October, the heart of Gulf Shores turns into one enormous festival.
The National Shrimp Festival returns to the public beach at Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard with seafood, live music, arts and crafts, family activities, competitions, and crowds that can reach into the hundreds of thousands over four days.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
You’ll find shrimp prepared just about every way imaginable, along with plenty of other Gulf Coast favorites. Two entertainment stages run throughout the weekend with everything from country and classic rock to blues, jazz, Motown, and zydeco.
There’s also a large juried arts and crafts show, retail vendors, a Children’s Activity Village, sand sculpture activities, running events, the Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant, Singing for Scholarships, and the annual Restaurant Challenge.
One thing locals already know: traffic is part of the experience.
Highway 59 and the roads around Gulf Shores Public Beach become extremely busy during the festival. Parking near the beach fills quickly, so arriving early, using available shuttles, or attending on Thursday can make the day considerably easier.
Fairhope Farmers Market
Thursday, October 8
The fall farmers market season continues in Fairhope on Thursdays through November 12.
If you want something a little quieter than the Shrimp Festival crowds, the Eastern Shore can make for a good Thursday outing.
Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermens Market
Saturday, October 10 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
781 Farmers Market Lane, Foley
This year-round Saturday market is a reliable stop for local produce, seafood, baked goods, plants, and regional products.
Early October also means more fall produce is beginning to show up, including the start of satsuma season along the Gulf Coast.
Santa Rosa County, Florida
October is Beaches to Woodlands month in Santa Rosa County, bringing together festivals, farms, outdoor activities, markets, and heritage events from Navarre Beach to the Blackwater River area.
This weekend is especially busy.
Bands on the Blackwater: Bone Dry Band
Friday, October 9
Downtown Milton
Milton’s popular free outdoor concert series continues along the Blackwater River.
Bring a lawn chair, find a spot along the riverfront, or arrive by boat and enjoy live music in downtown Milton.
22nd Annual Munson Heritage Festival
Saturday–Sunday, October 10–11 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Krul Recreation Area, Milton | $10 per vehicle
If you want something completely different from the beach festivals happening this weekend, head north into Blackwater River State Forest.
The Munson Heritage Festival focuses on the crafts, traditions, and skills that shaped Northwest Florida generations ago.
Visitors can watch demonstrations involving wood carving, basket weaving, corn-shuck dolls, dulcimer making, shoe cobbling, cross-cut sawing, traditional sawmill operations, and turpentining.
The event also features historical displays, Native American exhibits, and a Civil War reenactment camp.
A couple of practical things to know before making the drive: bring cash or a check, because there is no ATM on site, and cell service can be unreliable in the forest.
Boo at the Zoo Trick-or-Treat Trail
Saturday–Sunday, October 10–11 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Gulf Breeze Zoo
Halloween arrives early at Gulf Breeze Zoo with the first weekend of its Boo at the Zoo celebration.
Families can walk the trick-or-treat trail, see the animals, and enjoy Halloween activities throughout the zoo. Costumes are encouraged.
33rd Annual Charity Chili Cook-Off & Volleyball Tournament
Sunday, October 11 | Noon–5 p.m.
Juana’s Pagodas & Sailors’ Grill, Navarre Beach
One of Navarre Beach’s longtime fall traditions returns with chili, volleyball, and a good cause.
The event raises money for Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County.
Teams can compete in the chili cook-off or volleyball tournament, while visitors can make a donation to sample the chili and enjoy the afternoon on Navarre Beach.
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
October also means pumpkin season around Milton.
Holland Farms is open through November 1 with pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, train rides, and other family activities.
Sweet Season Farms also offers its fall corn maze along with pumpkins, sunflowers, and seasonal attractions.
Either one makes an easy fall morning trip from Pace, Navarre, Milton, or Gulf Breeze.
Escambia County, Florida
Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival
Through Sunday, October 11
The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival continues this week, with much of the action moving onto Pensacola Beach.
More than 150 songwriters participate throughout the festival, appearing at restaurants, bars, hotels, and other venues across the island.
What makes these performances different from a typical concert is the format.
Many shows are intimate songwriter rounds where the artists tell the stories behind the songs before performing them. You may hear a song you already know and then learn what inspired it directly from the person who wrote it.
Participating beach venues include Bamboo Willie’s, Flounder’s Chowder House, Paradise Bar & Grill, The Sandshaker, Native Café, The Sandbar, Red Fish Blue Fish, and several beachfront hotels.
Many performances are free.
Earlier in the week, the festival also continues its community outreach work with area schools, veterans, and nonprofit organizations.
Festa Italiana
Friday–Saturday, October 9–10 | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Seville Square, Downtown Pensacola
Seville Square turns Italian for the weekend with food, music, vendors, and cultural performances.
If you’re already planning to spend time downtown Pensacola, this is an easy event to add to the day.
Santa Rosa Island Triathlon
Saturday, October 10 | Pensacola Beach
Hundreds of athletes will head to Pensacola Beach for the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon.
The sprint-distance race includes swimming, biking, and running along the island.
Drivers should expect morning road closures and traffic changes around Pensacola Beach while the race is underway.
No Blue Angels Practices This Week
If you’re planning a trip to NAS Pensacola specifically to see a Blue Angels practice, this is one week to skip.
The team is away for San Francisco Fleet Week.
The remaining October home practices are scheduled for October 14, October 20, and October 28, with autograph sessions scheduled following select practices.
A Busy Weekend for Gulf Coast Real Estate, Too
Big event weekends don’t just change restaurant reservations and traffic patterns. They can affect real estate activity as well.
If you have a property listed in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, be thoughtful about scheduling showings during Shrimp Festival weekend.
A drive that normally takes 15 minutes can become considerably longer once festival traffic builds, especially around Highway 59 and the beach district.
Early-morning appointments can work well before the crowds arrive.
On the other hand, if your property is within walking or biking distance of the festival, this is exactly the kind of weekend when buyers can experience the value of that location firsthand.
There’s another side to the crowds, too.
Thousands of visitors will be moving between Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre, and the surrounding communities this weekend. For sellers, it’s a good reminder to handle the little things — straighten the yard sign, clean up the landscaping, and make sure the exterior looks its best.
October also marks the beginning of another familiar Gulf Coast shift: snowbird season.
Seasonal residents start arriving throughout October and November, and some eventually become Gulf Coast homeowners after spending several winters here.
For buyers and sellers, that means the market begins to feel a little different as more out-of-state visitors return to the area.
And one final reminder: hurricane season continues through November 30.
If you’re under contract on a Gulf Coast property, insurance should be handled as early as possible rather than left until the final days before closing.
Thinking About Your Next Move on the Gulf Coast?
Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or simply trying to understand what’s happening in the local market, having someone who knows the differences between these communities can make a big difference.
The Coate Connection Team at RE/MAX Gulf Properties serves buyers and sellers throughout Baldwin County and the surrounding Florida Gulf Coast.
David Coate — 251-213-8811
Virginia Coate — 251-752-1231
coateconnection.com
