Arts, Music, Food, & Culture
Join us for a celebration of art and culture at the Annual Ballyhoo Festival in Gulf Shores. This unique two-day event is Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, at the beautiful Lake Shelby picnic area in Gulf State Park. On Saturday, the festival begins at 9 am and ends at 5 pm; on Sunday, it starts at 10 am and finishes at 4 pm.
Annual Ballyhoo Arts & Cultural Festival
Art
Art
Ballyhoo showcases fine art from talented local artists across the Gulf Coast, with over 100 juried art booths scattered throughout the festival. During the event, $5,000 in awards are given to winning artists in various categories.
Dancing
Dancing
One of the highlights of the weekend is the Poarch Creek Indian’s performance of original tribal dances. The tribe’s cultural director gives a historical narrative of each dance and explains the importance of regalia pieces worn by members. These mesmerizing performances and eye-catching garments are a must-see.
Music
Music
As part of the cultural exchange of Ballyhoo, the event showcases Americana music with some of the best musicians in the region with a fiddle and banjo competition. Anyone is allowed to enter, and prizes are awarded to the best players in each age category. Bring your dancing shoes and tap your feet along to the tunes.
Performance Schedule
Performance Schedule
Check back for the performance schedule closer to the event!
Festival Food
Festival Food
Local food vendors will be at the event offering a variety of food and drinks. Freshly squeezed lemonade, sweet and crunchy kettle corn, and fried fair favorites are just a few of the delicious eats at the festival. After all, attendees will need to fuel up before dancing along to the live music!
Ballyhoo Admission & Parking
Ballyhoo Admission & Parking
Admission to the festival is free, and all ages are welcome. Limited parking is available at Lake Shelby, so shuttles will be running throughout the festival weekend from The Pavilion and Gulf State Park Pier. The shuttle is free, but a fee is required to park at these locations.
Plan Your Spring Trip
Ballyhoo Festival is an amazing culmination of the unique art, culture, and music of the Alabama Gulf Coast. You’ll find food vendors serving up incredible food, live music on the stage, and art demonstrations all weekend long. Bring a lawn chair, so you can enjoy the performances and comfortable coastal weather! Be sure to book a place to stay nearby, so you can easily travel to and from the festival.
Let's Ballyhoo!
