May Events in Alabama ~ Southern Vacation Rentals

May is a busy month along Coastal Alabama! From music and art festivals to volleyball and track tournaments, May events in Alabama are heating up. Read below for all the ways to have fun in Alabama this month!

46th Annual Art in the Park – Foley

From May 12-13, bring Mom down to Foley for the 46th Annual Art in the Park. This free event is perfect for Mother’s Day! Thousands of attendees flock here, and artists from all across the Southeast to showcase their art. In addition, their talents provide unique, handcrafted cultural experiences and even shopping opportunities! Art in the Park is held at the John B. Foley Park, on the corner of AL-59 and Hwy 98.

The proceeds from Art in the Park fund art exhibits for the community, college scholarships for local students, and more. Listed as one of Alabama’s Top Ten Events for May,

entertainment and food prepared by local chefs will be provided along with the beautiful art! Additionally, children are welcome at this event as there is a hands-on children’s area, where they can indulge in the fun artistic activities and face painting! Visit Foley Art Center for more information.

The 2018 Hangout Music Festival – Gulf Shores

Don’t miss out on this award-winning event! The Gulf Coast’s hottest music festival gets better every year. This festival is a vacation in itself – the second you step into the venue, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world. This year, headlining artists are Kendric Lamar, The Killers, and The Chainsmokers, with additional performances by Halsey, Zedd, Portugal. The Man, and more. With the beautiful beaches for a backdrop, it’s no wonder this festival attracts tens of thousands each year.

There’s more than just music at the Hangout Music Festival! Festival amenities include beach volleyball, carnival rides, Gulf-front hammocks, delicious food, and more. Meanwhile, for even more festival fun, start off Hangout’s Thursday Kick-Off Party. Get the party going with Phantogram, T-Pain, K.Flay, and The Knocks.

No need to panic – there’s still time to get accommodations! We have several Gulf Shores condos still available with new rates we guarantee you’ll love. For the best rates on the Gulf Coast, stay with Southern!

Lionfish World Championship – Gulf Shores

This year’s Lionfish World Championship is one of the most exciting May events in Alabama! This year, it will be hosted by the Flora-Bama Yacht Club and Ole River Grill. The Lionfish World Championship is aimed at clearing beautiful waters of lionfish, which are harmful and pose a threat to the ecosystem. Because the fish are cleared out, we are able to better preserve our waters. Since 2014, more than 430,000 lionfish have been removed from Florida waters.

A lionfish shootout will be held from May 18-19. The tournament will last from sunrise to sunset, with fish being presented at the scoring station between these times. On May 20, awards will be presented to those who catch the most lionfish. Afterward, on May 20th, there will be a Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival. The festival is free to the public and includes lionfish tastings, celebrity chef cook-off competitions, and fillet demonstrations. Visit here for more information.

2018 Orange Beach Billfish Classic – Orange Beach

So much is happening from May 18-19! The Orange Beach Billfish Classic is happening May 18-19 at The Wharf Marina. For the locals, marlin tournament season means “big fish and big bucks!” Enjoy Wednesday night’s kick-off party with dinner, an open bar, and live music. Then, fishing commences on Thursday! Lastly, weigh-ins will be held at The Wharf on Friday and Saturday from 7-10 PM and 6-10 PM, respectively. Not to mention, this is the top event on the Gulf Coast tournament circuit! 100% of all net profits are donated to conservation organizations.

The Orange Beach Billfish Classic is just the start of the 2018 Gulf Coast Tournament fishing season. For more information, visit here.

2018 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship – Gulf Shores

The 38th Annual Women’s Outdoor Track & Field and the 67th Annual Men’s Outdoor Track and Field National Championships will be held right here in Gulf Shores! From May 24-26, some of the most talented athletes in the National

Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) will compete at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, 19025 Oak Rd. Day passes are $8, while three-day passes are $20.

Men’s events include a decathlon, hammer throw, a 10,000-meter run, pole vault, and more. Women will also compete in a heptathlon, shot put, high jump, and more. Then, an awards ceremony will be held at the end of the event. Visit NAIA’s website for more information and a full schedule of events.

That’s just a sample of all the May events in Alabama! While you’re at it, be sure to check out our Gulf Coast Events for many fun events in Alabama, Pensacola, Destin, 30A, Panama City Beach, and more!