Parades, Parties, and Family Fun This Week on the Gulf Coast
From Moon Pies on Main to the Festival of Art: A Week of Celebrations
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Mardi Gras festivities are in full swing along the Gulf Coast, bringing vibrant parades, live music, and community celebrations to Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and beyond. The week kicks off on Monday, March 3rd, with "Moon Pies on Main" at The Wharf, a lively Lundi Gras parade featuring kids, pets, and dazzling floats. The family-friendly event is packed with activities, from pony rides to bouncy houses, and culminates in a night float parade at sunset.
The celebrations continue on Fat Tuesday, March 4th, with the iconic Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade at 10 AM, followed by the Orange Beach parade at 2 PM, showcasing spirited krewes and local performers. As the week progresses, residents and visitors can unwind at Foley's Midday Melodies on Ash Wednesday, enjoy happy hour at Cosmos, and groove to live blues at the Barbecue and Blues Cook-Off. The festivities conclude with the 51st Annual Orange Beach Festival of Art and a quirky adult spelling bee at Flora-Bama. From colorful parades to cultural showcases, there's something for everyone to enjoy along the Gulf Coast this Mardi Gras season.
Monday, March 3rd -
It's time for Moon pies on Main, the Wharf's annual Mardi Gras parade featuring kids, pets, and floats. This Lundi Gras event offers activities for all age groups, with extra fun for children and their furry companions. Arrive early to join the krewe as we kick off the evening with a lively DJ and children's activities, including pony rides, bouncy houses, a rock wall, face painting, and more. Everyone is welcome to join the walking/strolling kid and pet parade, which begins at 4 PM; please arrive 10–15 minutes early to gather in Palms Plaza near the Ferris wheel. Festive decorations and bead throws are encouraged, and some throws will be available. Stick around for sunset to enjoy the bead-catching night float parade, which starts at 6 PM.
The Wharf
23101 Canal Road
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Tuesday, March 4th -
The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade, brought to you by Baldwin County’s oldest parade organization, takes place on Fat Tuesday at 10 AM, marking the start of a day full of celebrations on the 32-mile island. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for prime viewing, as parking fills up quickly and spots get staked down like its Homestead Act of 1862 all over again. Following Gulf Shores, some of its larger floats head to Orange Beach for a 2 PM parade to line up with awaiting floats from groups like the colorful Order of Disorder, the radiant Order of Aurora, and the fabulous Maidens in Pink Stilettos. Orange Beach holds a strong sense of community with performances from local high school bands, cheerleaders, and more. The parade travels along Perdido Beach Boulevard, ending near CoastAL Restaurant, where families can enjoy treats like free king cake and jambalaya or better yet, make it your viewing destination for the parade. Happy Fat Tuesday, and enjoy the festivities! For more Gulf Coast Mardi fun, check out our article
2025 Mardi Gras Parades and Events on the Gulf Coast
Wednesday, March 5th -
Ash Wednesday marks the start of 2025’s Midday Melodies, a delightful live music event taking place in the heart of Foley's Heritage Park, right by the picturesque fountain. You are welcome to bring your picnic blankets or lawn chairs to create the perfect outdoor retreat after a busy parade season. Invite a friend and pack your favorite lunch as you immerse yourself in an afternoon of fantastic music and fresh air—weather permitting, of course. Every Spring, Heritage Park transforms into a lively lunchtime haven every Wednesday in March, celebrating the arrival of warmer days with an eclectic mix of tunes first up, Zack Chavers. Enjoy the convenience of free parking surrounding the park, music begins at 11 AM. Come and make unforgettable memories at Midday Melodies!
Heritage Park
104 N McKenzie St
Foley, AL 36535
Thursday, March 6th -
Visit Cosmos in Orange Beach for one of the best Happy Hours on the island, from 4 PM to 6 PM. Savor craft beers, house wines, and the popular Firecracker shrimp, lightly dusted in spicy rémoulade, the tasty that made them famous. Not a seafood fan? Try the cheese dip or cheesecakes instead! The full menu is available, featuring dishes like banana-wrapped sea bass and chicken Alfredo for dinner. Cosmos is on the north side of the courtyard, where you can also explore nearby boutiques and stop by Maggie's Bottle and Tail for unique gifts and select wines on the walk-up. Stop by today for lunch, happy hour, dinner or for it all, enjoy.
Cosmos Restaurant and Bar
25753 Canal Road
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Friday, March 7th -
The annual Barbecue and Blues Cook-Off combines delicious food and captivating music. Taking place in downtown Foley's Heritage Park, since its inception in 2009, this fundraiser focused event has attracted large crowds of both travelers and locals alike. The cook-off’s main event is a Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned competition, where teams vie for bragging rights while festival-goers enjoy mouthwatering barbecue and live blues performances. The event also includes fun activities for children on Saturday; however, both days are family-friendly. Every ticket sold supports the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation and local schools. The weekend starts off with Friday night features on March 7th with local performances and food. The main cook-off competition will take place on March 8, where families can enjoy food and music, along with kids activities. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of both food and great tunes. Purchase tickets separately at the gate each night for $10 BBQ and Blues included.
Foley Heritage Park
125 E Laurel Ave
Foley, AL 36535
Saturday, March 8th -
Golf Carts, cars, and shuttles oh my. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Orange Beach Water Park, the city invites everyone to its 51st Annual 'Festival of Art,' open from 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Recognized as the Best Art Show three times by “ALABAMA” magazine, this prestigious event ranks among the top 100 fine art and design shows nationwide. The festival is completely FREE to the public and offers an immersive experience with music and entertainment on both stages, showcasing the creativity of local and national artists. From captivating visual displays to thought-provoking literary readings, the 'Festival of Art' truly celebrates the culture and community of the area. A Gulf Coast festival wouldn't be complete without delicious seafood from local restaurants. So, bring your appetite and be sure to find fan-favorite delightful homemade frozen treats onsite. Conveniently located on the grounds of the OBWP, this incredible family-friendly festival is one for the books. Not only will there be a kid’s art gallery to keep the littles busy, but families can also take a break in the shaded, gated playground for the OBWP, which features a designated area for toddlers. For more information about this festival, including parking, please visit the website below.
Orange Beach Waterfront Park
26425 Canal Road
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Sunday, March 9th -
Are you ready to relive the thrill of your grade school spelling bee - only this time, it’s a high-stakes shakedown that will have you either questioning your English skills all over again or taking the scholarly lead? Oh, spellers, what will it be? Dust off and sharpen your vocab tools it's time to buckle up for an exhilarating competition at Flora-Bama where contestants are selected on the spot! Participants must be 21 or older to overcome the challenge and show their spelling prowess! And that's not all. The thrill isn’t just for participants, the event is open to the public. Don't miss out on the fun. Whether competing to win, observing while heckling/cheering, or ultimately making a mockery of yourself, it's sure to be a laughable time for everyone on the line.
Flora-Bama
17401 Perdido Key Dr
Pensacola, FL 32507
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