22nd Annual GULF COAST HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL- ***UPDATE*** Friday Canceled; Delayed Opening Saturday at NOON***** OWA Parks & Resort, Foley
UPDATE: Because of the weather, organizers have made the decision to cancel all Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival activities for Friday. Saturday morning balloon flights are also canceled. Saturday’s festival schedule will have a delayed opening at 12:00 PM (noon).
This three-day celebration will once again bring colorful hot air balloons, live entertainment, family-friendly attractions, and unforgettable evening spectacles to the Gulf Coast. Among the highlights this year: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Shows, with multiple performances throughout the weekend; and the all-new Drone Show, with hundreds of synchronized drones illuminating the night sky with choreographed light formations. Admission is free. Reminder: Balloon flights, glows, and interactive displays are weather-dependent! Flights & glows occur only at dawn and dusk when conditions allow. CLICK HERE
LITTLE BLACK DRESS RUNWAY SHOW & GALA- Thurs 6pm, Fort Whiting Auditorium, Mobile
Little Black Dress returns to the runway with the theme “Rio Radiance”! Step into the vibrant rhythms, dazzling colors, and electric energy of Rio de Janeiro! Savor the rich flavors of authentic Brazilian cuisine, and sip on refreshing caipirinhas. Dress to impress, bring your samba moves, and celebrate Rio style! Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile. CLICK HERE
2nd Annual CHARITY CHUKKERS POLO EVENT- Sat 12noon-5pm, February Farm in Fairhope
Guests will enjoy an exciting afternoon of polo, fellowship, and philanthropy in support of students across Baldwin County. Proceeds benefit Palm Project, a countywide initiative that provides essential items for care closets in Baldwin County public schools. CLICK HERE
77th Annual BLESSING OF THE FLEET - Sat 10:30am-4pm; Sun 10am-3pm; St Margaret’s Catholic Church, Bayou la Batre
This fun-filled family event celebrates the town's seafood industry heritage with a gumbo cook-off on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a boat parade and blessing from the Archbishop on Sunday at 3 p.m., along with children's activities, arts and crafts, bayou boat tours, seafood and more on both days. CLICK HERE
MAY DAY CELEBRATION- Sat 10am-2pm, Anna T. Jeanes School, Fairhope
The May 2nd celebration will encompass traditional maypole wrapping for the young and the not so young. The festivities will also include music, field games, face painting, a cake walk, a clown, popcorn, and cotton candy.
Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic and their own chairs. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be available on a limited basis. Hosted and sponsored by Hope Community. CLICK HERE
CITY OF DAPHNE MAY DAY CELEBRATION- Sat 10am-1pm, MOVED TO THE Daphne History Museum DUE TO FORECAST, Daphne
Experience the May Day magic with great food, entertainment and so much more! The day will be filled with family fun and nostalgia including: carousel, ferris wheel, inflatables, and bungees by the bay! Also crafts and kids activities, BBQ and hot dogs from Daphne Police Department, and ice cream! CLICK HERE
LOCAL GOODNESS - Sun 4pm, Magnolia Manor, Mobile
Local Goodness is a farm-to-table celebration honoring the flavors and spirit of our region. Indulge in thoughtfully sourced cuisine and live music as we gather to support the Department of Interventional Radiology at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. CLICK HERE
DERBY DAY IN THE LAND- Sat 5pm, The Grounds, West Mobile
It’s the 3rd annual ‘Derby Day in the Land’ benefitting the students of Saraland City Schools. CLICK HERE
HATITUDE TEA PARTY- Sat 2pm-4pm, Mobile Museum of Art, Langan Park
Inspired by the special exhibition Timeless Hats, this gathering honors self-taught Mobile milliner Susie Mae Pugh-Williams. Her handcrafted hats, wraps, and fascinators are more than accessories — they are “crowns” that embody a rich heritage of artistry and resilience. Enjoy tea, light refreshments, and the graceful sounds of a live harpist. CLICK HERE
PUPPY PALOOZA- Sat 11am-2pm, on The Green near California Dreaming, Eastern Shore Centre, Spanish Fort
This event will feature live music, pet adoptions, a fido marketplace, doggy activities, K9 splash zone, local + retailer pop-ups, puppy palooza SWAG, giveaways, AND a dog show. Puppy Palooza benefits the Baldwin Humane Society. CLICK HERE
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK - Fri 6pm-8pm, Downtown Fairhope
Visit local merchants in Downtown Fairhope as they stay open late and highlight the art community. Sugarcane Jane will be playing at Gallery By The Bay. Also, new exhibits and live music at the Eastern Shore Art Center. Free admission. CLICK HERE
CINCO DE MAYO- Sun 2pm-9pm, Government St in front of Seville Quarter, Downtown Pensacola
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live music, dancing, cultural performances and the best Mexican food. CLICK HERE
9th Annual STEAK OUT COMPETITION- Sat 6pm, St Mary’s Catholic School, Mobile
Enjoy all-you-can-eat steak samples from more than 20 local cooking teams, plus live music from Disco Lemonade. Proceeds support St. Mary’s Catholic School. CLICK HERE
FROZEN: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL- *** FRIDAY NIGHT CANCELED****Make up days Sun/Mon****Wed-Sat 7:30pm (gates open 6:30), on the Bluff in Fairhope
Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre will bring Frozen to the 13th Annual Theatre on the Bluff, telling the powerful story of sisters Anna and Elsa. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair, and picnics are encouraged. Concessions will also be available for purchase. (In the event that a performance must be canceled due to inclement weather, a rain date performance will be held on Sunday, May 3 and Monday May 4.) CLICK HERE
THE PLANETS- Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra presents The Planets, their biggest concert of the year. And they thought it would be both enlightening and fun to introduce Gustav Holst’s stupendous astrological odyssey, The Planets, by playing Hans Zimmer’s modern depictions of space travel. Music from Interstellar, Dune, Inception, and even Darkstar (from Top Gun: Maverick) sets the stage for Holst’s cosmic masterpiece in the second half. CLICK HERE
ALICE COOPER: ALICE’S ATTIC TOUR- Sun 8pm, Pensacola Bay Center, CLICK HERE
ICE CUBE- Sun 7pm, The Sound Amphitheater, Gautier, CLICK HERE
GIVEN TO FLY: THE PEARL JAM EXPERIENCE- Sat 7:30pm, OWA Theater, OWA Parks & Resort, Foley, CLICK HERE
THERESA CAPUTO LIVE- Sat 7:30pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre, CLICK HERE
KATHLEEN MADIGAN: THE DAY DRINKING TOUR- Sat 8pm, Beau Rivage Biloxi, CLICK HERE
MATT FRASER - Fri 8pm, IP Casino Biloxi, CLICK HERE
SAMANTHA FISH with TEXAS HEADHUNTERS- Sat 8pm, IP Casino Biloxi, CLICK HERE
GULF COAST CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL- Thurs-Sun 5pm-10pm, April 16-June 21, Bellingrath Gardens, Theodore
The 2026 Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival is an all new show filled with all new lanterns. As night falls, the Gardens glow with more than 40 towering, handcrafted light sculptures that transform the landscape into a vivid world of color and scale. Explore the Gardens after dark and discover an unforgettable night of light, energy, and wonder for all ages, with stunning photo moments at every turn. CLICK HERE
DOUBLE TUNNEL VISION 5K- Sat 8am, Oyster City Brewing, Government St, Downtown Mobile
Participants have the opportunity to run through the Bankhead Tunnel, not once, but twice – a unique Mobile experience. Proceeds benefit the Lions Club of Mobile Charitable Foundation. CLICK HERE
PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS BASEBALL vs BILOXI SHUCKERS- Tues-Sat 6:05pm; Sun 4:05pm, Blue Wahoos Stadium, Pensacola
Promotions include Mullet Thursday, Giveaway Friday, Fireworks Saturday and Military Family Sunday. Thursday is also Pensacola Navy Days Night with NAS Pensacola mascot J. Gosling plus a community celebration of our military. CLICK HERE
MARKET IN THE PARK- Sat 7:30am-12noon (Apr 25- Jun 27), Cathedral Square, Downtown Mobile
Start your Saturday mornings at Market in the Park, where fresh, local, and handmade goods come together. Browse a variety of vendors offering everything from produce and seafood to baked goods, art, and unique handmade items while enjoying live music in a relaxed, community atmosphere. CLICK HERE
PALAFOX MARKET- Sat 9am-2pm, Downtown Pensacola
You'll find the unique, the one-of-a-kind, the precious, the delicious and the off-beat at Palafox Market, now in 2 locations: Palafox Market North at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and Palafox Market South at Plaza Ferdinand. Items originate directly from talented onsite vendors who grow, make, or create each item for sale. CLICK HERE
Photo: ColorPlayer / iStock / Getty Images