Media Contact:

Kay Maghan • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • AlabamasBeaches.com/Media
1-800-745-SAND • 251-974-4625 (direct) • 251-752-8448 (cell)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. 

Celebrating its 51st year this past weekend, the annual Orange Beach Festival of Art just received another reason to celebrate – the event was voted Best Arts Festival in the U.S. by voters in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

The free festival, put on each year by the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach, has long been considered the first rite of spring on Alabama’s Beaches. It showcases visual, literary, performing, musical, and culinary arts and is ranked among the Top 100 national fine art and design shows.
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon says this recognition gives added pride to the city’s focus on the arts.

“Having the Orange Beach Festival of Art earn the title of Best Arts Festival in the nation in 2025 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is a testament to the hard work of Coastal Arts Center Director Desiree Hodge and her dedicated team,” says Kennon. “It is truly a diamond on our coast. The festival features some of the finest artists in our region, and everyone who visits the festival experiences Southern Hospitality at its best!”
Desiree Hodge, director of Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, is elated with the win.

“We are so proud of this show and tremendously honored to receive this distinction,” Hodge says excitedly. “There are so many special elements to the show, but we have primarily worked to tailor the selection of artists to focus on fine art, which sets us apart from other shows. Along with that, we feature only local music talent, cuisine, and performance art so guests get a true feel for our coastal specialties.”

She adds, “In keeping with our family-friendly community, the Kids Art Alley is noteworthy for providing exceptional crafts, along with a Kids Art Award that the children design and give to their favorite fine artist. Exposure to the arts at an early age is so essential for developing minds.
“All this is possible with the help of our dedicated staff and awesome volunteers! After 50 years of presenting this show on our island, it has become a beloved event that draws both artists and patrons from around the country here to Alabama’s Beaches. We thank everyone who voted and helped make us the #1 event among Best Arts Festivals in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!”
By being voted #1, the Orange Beach Festival of Art topped events held in much larger destinations, including Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; Columbus, Ohio; Greenville, S.C., and The Woodlands, Texas. To see the full Top 10 list for Best Arts Festival, visit https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-art-festival/.

In addition to the Best Arts Festival award, Alabama’s Beaches has also placed in the Top 10 in the following categories:
•    Best Small Town Arts Scene – Orange Beach, #4
•    Best Specialty Food Festival – National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, #5
•    Best Music Festival – Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, #7

For more information on the Orange Beach Festival of Art – including dates for 2026 – visit https://www.orangebeachal.gov/338/Orange-Beach-Festival-of-Art.

# # #

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: