Things to Do in Fairhope, Alabama
A month-by-month guide to recurring festivals, events, and experiences that are worth knowing about
For a small town Fairhope has lots to do year-round. Some of it is well known — the Arts & Crafts Festival draws nearly 300,000 people every March. Some of it flies under the radar — like the Gulf Coast Fungi Festival or the Dauphin Island Race. All right here on Mobile Bay.
This month-by-month breakdown is an honest guide for you to learn when and where you need to be to enjoy events and experiences of all sizes.
Fairhope in Focus — Late March 2026 Highlights March 23, 2026
Source: City of Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Waterfront Rededication The city is celebrating a major milestone with the public rededication of the Municipal Pier, South Beach, Rose Garden, and Fountain on... ➔
Year-Round
Before getting into the calendar, these are the things you can count on any time of year.
First Friday Art Walk
On the first Friday of every month, downtown Fairhope turns into a block party. Twenty to thirty galleries, shops, and restaurants open their doors from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with live music, refreshments, and new exhibitions. It starts at the Eastern Shore Art Center on Oak Avenue and spills out across the downtown streets. Free, family-friendly, and one of the best ways to experience the town.
When: First Friday of every month, 6:00–8:00 PM • Where: Downtown Fairhope, starting at Eastern Shore Art Center
Mobile Bay Maker’s Market
A curated open-air market from Mobile Bay Maker’s Market featuring 25+ local artisans and growers. Fresh produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, local foods, music, and food trucks. Every vendor must create, grow, or make at least 80% of what they sell — this is not a flea market. Family and dog friendly. Free admission.
When: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, March through mid-December
Live at Five Concert Series
National and regional bands play under the pines and live oaks at Halstead Amphitheater. Rock, jazz, country, Americana, soul, funk — the lineup changes every season. Bring your own blankets and chairs. Gates open at 4:00 PM, opening band at 5:00, headliner at 6:30. Spring season runs March through May, fall season September through November.
Where: Halstead Amphitheater, 450 Fairhope Ave • Tickets at gate or Eventbrite
Food Tours & Walking Tours
Taste of Fairhope runs guided walking food tours through downtown — three hours, six restaurant stops, city history woven in between bites. They run weekly year-round. Fairhope by Foot offers a separate “Footsteps of the Founders” walking tour that traces the town’s origins as a utopian single-tax colony. About a mile, about an hour, and a story most visitors never hear.
Food Tour: Weekly at 2:00 PM from Provision • Walking Tour: By appointment, $20/person
Fairhope Outdoor Farmers Market
Local produce, plants, honey, baked goods, and handmade gifts behind the Fairhope Public Library. The library hosts outdoor story time at 4:00 PM with a small craft for kids — a nice bonus if you have little ones.
When: Thursdays 2:00–6:00 PM (April–November) • Also first Saturdays 8:00 AM–12:00 PM (April–June) • City of Fairhope info
The Grand Hotel, Point Clear
A crowned jewel of Fairhope, the iconic Grand Hotel has been operating since 1847. Their traditions deserve a mention: the daily cannon firing at 3:45 PM (honoring its history as a military hospital), the Holiday Stroll with a grand gingerbread display (late November through New Year’s), Breakfast with Santa on select December Sundays, gingerbread house decorating classes, and one of the most elaborate Easter celebrations on the Gulf Coast with a 15,000-egg hunt.
Most of these are ticketed. Check grand1847.com for schedules.
Self-Guided Walking Quests & Scavenger Hunts
Several app-based exploration experiences let you discover Fairhope on your own schedule. The Fairhope Hidden Gems Walking Quest sends you through 12 challenges across hidden landmarks and local shops. The Downtown Charm Challenge from Let’s Roam features riddles and photo challenges at historic landmarks, starting at the Eastern Shore Art Center. The Fairhope Fiasco Scavenger Hunt connects you with a remote host for creative challenges at local favorite spots. And Scouting Fairhope’s Hidden Highlights guides you through downtown to uncover forgotten stories and local secrets. All available year-round, rain or shine, at your own pace. Great for families, couples, or anyone with a free afternoon.
Available anytime • Download via Let’s Roam, Tourscanner, Eventbrite, or Fever
These are perfect for days between events — no schedule needed, just your phone.
January
The quietest month of the year as Fairhope takes a breath after the holidays as it prepares for Mardi Gras and the Arts and Crafts Festival.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
A family-friendly street party at the corner of Fairhope Avenue and Church Street. Streets close to traffic. Live band, DJ, face painting, food vendors, fireworks, and a midnight ball drop. Free.
When: December 31, 8:30 PM–12:30 AM
Fairhope Film Festival — Monthly Movie Series
The Fairhope Film Festival doesn’t just show up in November. Their Monthly Movie Series runs January through May at the Ben Gall Theater in their downtown office. Two screenings a month — carefully curated, thought-provoking films in an intimate setting. It’s a locals’ favorite and a great way to spend an evening if you’re visiting during the quieter months.
When: January–May, two screenings per month • Where: Ben Gall Theater, downtown Fairhope
Check fairhopefilmfestival.org for the current schedule and showtimes.
Birdwatching & Coastal Nature on Mobile Bay
January is one of the best months for birdwatching along the Eastern Shore. Over 370 species have been documented in coastal Alabama, and winter brings migratory shorebirds and waterfowl to Mobile Bay in large numbers. The Fairhope Pier is an easy starting point — pelicans, herons, and ospreys are regulars. The flower-lined streets and parks are less crowded this time of year, and the bay sunrises are some of the best you’ll see anywhere. If you’re looking for a quiet, uncrowded Fairhope experience, January delivers.
Nearby: Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve (15 min) • Bon Secour NWR (45 min) • Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary (1 hr)
February
Experience Mardi Gras as a smaller, family-friendly celebration without the chaos and crowds that are guaranteed in New Orleans and to a lesser extent Mobile, Alabama.
Mardi Gras Parades
Four parades roll through downtown Fairhope in the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. The Mystic Mutts of Revelry kicks things off — a walking pet parade with 600+ dogs in costume, benefiting The Haven No-Kill Animal Shelter. It is exactly as fun as it sounds. The Knights of Ecor Rouge is the most popular parade, typically two Saturdays before Fat Tuesday. The Maids of Jubilee and Order of Mystic Magnolias round out the schedule. All free, all downtown, all family-friendly.
Parking tip: Roads close around 5:00 PM for evening parades. Arrive by 4:45.
Dates change every year based on Easter. Check fairhopemardigras.com for the current schedule.
Krewe of Mullet Mates Parade — Point Clear
A low-key, neighborhood Mardi Gras parade along County Road 1 in Point Clear, just south of Fairhope. The Krewe of Mullet Mates hosts this laid-back alternative to the downtown festivities — walking groups, pets, a pet royal court, and throws. The parade route runs right along the waterfront near Mullet Point Park. It’s smaller, more recent, and exactly the kind of thing you’d stumble into if you’re staying on the bay.
When: Mid-February, typically in the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday • Where: County Rd 1, Point Clear
Arbor Day Celebration & Seedling Giveaway
A Saturday morning tradition — awards ceremony for local school poster contest winners, followed by a giveaway of over 1,000 native tree seedlings. Fourteen-plus species. Baldwin County Master Gardeners are on hand. Free.
When: A Saturday in mid-to-late February, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
March
Things really start to heat up in March with well known events back-to-back.
Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
Seventy-four years and counting. Over 200 artists and exhibitors take over downtown Fairhope for three days in the third weekend of March. Fine art, handmade crafts, live entertainment, food court, and people-watching that rivals any city in the South. Nearly 300,000 visitors over the weekend. Free admission. On Saturday at noon, the Dogwood Trail Maids are introduced — a 64-year Fairhope tradition where six young women in colorful floral costumes represent the cultures that settled Baldwin County. Learn more in our complete festival guide or visit the official festival site.
When: Third weekend of March, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM daily • Parking is very limited — shuttles run from satellite lots
Book early. Every rental in Fairhope fills up for this weekend.
Eastern Shore Art Center Outdoor Art Show
Runs at the same time as the Arts & Crafts Festival but is a separate event, featuring international and regional fine artists. Now in its 54th year. $10,000 in artist prizes. Free admission.
Where: Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak Ave
Spring Fever Chase
A 10K and 2-mile fun run on Saturday morning of festival weekend. The course starts on Bayview Street, winds through downtown, and runs along Mobile Bay. Flat to rolling. In its 48th year. Proceeds go to physical education programs in Baldwin County schools.
When: Saturday of Arts & Crafts Festival weekend
Fairhope Yacht Club — Dogwood Regatta
Competitive multi-class sailing regatta on Mobile Bay, hosted by Fairhope Yacht Club. Flying Scot, Sunfish, Laser, Viper 640, and other classes. Part of the Gulf Yachting Association’s annual Capdevielle Trophy series. Draws competitive sailors from across the Gulf Coast. Fairhope Yacht Club has been on the eastern shore since 1942.
When: Late March or April (dates vary by year) • Weekend event
April
Spring on Mobile Bay. Warm enough for the water, cool enough for the porch.
The Dauphin Island Race
The Dauphin Island Race is one of the largest point-to-point sailboat races in North America, and most people outside the sailing community have never heard of it. Over 300 boats and 1,000 crew members race 18 nautical miles from central Mobile Bay south to Dauphin Island. The race has been running for over 65 years, hosted on rotation by Fairhope Yacht Club, Buccaneer Yacht Club, and Mobile Yacht Club. It draws serious sailors from across the Gulf Coast and well beyond — out-of-state participants are the norm, not the exception. Fairhope is the natural home base for anyone racing from the eastern shore.
When: Last full weekend of April, 3-day event • 2026: April 24–26 (66th annual)
This is one of the highest-revenue weekends of the year for Fairhope rentals. Book well in advance.
Easter Sunrise Service at Fairhope Pier
Acknowledge His resurrection as the sun rises over Mobile Bay at the Fairhope Municipal Pier. The sermon is delivered by a local pastor; Fairhope high school students provide the music. You may have been to church, but not like this. Non-denominational, bring a chair or blanket. Free coffee is provided for all.
When: Easter Sunday, 6:30 AM (date varies — 2026: April 5)
Boil on the Bay
A crawfish boil at Halstead Amphitheater with live music, crawfish races, and cold beer (BYOB). Funds LSU scholarships for Baldwin County students. Hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids. Ticketed event.
When: A Saturday in April, 4:00–7:00 PM
Alabama Coastal BirdFest
Four days of guided birding trips across coastal Alabama — Mobile Delta, Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Over 370 bird species have been spotted. Workshops on everything from hummingbirds to birding apps. The free Bird & Conservation Expo at Halstead Amphitheater includes a raptor show, snake show, and kids’ activities. Run by Alabama Audubon since 2004.
When: Late April, 4-day event • 2026: April 23–26
May
Summer starts early on the Gulf Coast.
Fairhope Rotary Steak Cook-Off
The premier adult-only street party in Fairhope — the Fairhope Rotary Steak Cook-Off. Over 40 cooking teams grill steaks on North Bancroft Street while 3,100+ attendees walk around tasting, voting, and drinking. Live music. Awards for Grand Champion, People’s Choice, and Best Decorated Booth. All proceeds go back to the community — police programs, scholarships, school gardens, emergency relief. Now in its 20th year.
When: Second Friday/Saturday of May, 7:00–10:00 PM • Tickets: ~$75 general, ~$150 VIP (includes steak and drinks)
Grandman Triathlon
Sprint triathlon that starts with a jump off the Fairhope Municipal Pier into Mobile Bay. One-third mile swim, 18.6-mile bike through the countryside, 5K run along Mobile Bay. Relay option available if you want to split it with friends.
When: A Saturday in May • Confirm status at thegrandman.com
Memorial Day Concert
The Baldwin Pops Band plays a free patriotic concert at Henry George Bluff Park, overlooking Mobile Bay. Veterans are honored. Bring a picnic and chairs. If you served, wear your hat or pin. The Eastern Shore Choral Society sometimes joins. No ticket needed.
When: Memorial Day (last Monday of May), 6:00 PM
Children’s Cup Regatta
A charity sailing regatta at Fairhope Yacht Club benefiting Children’s of Alabama hospital. Open to non-members and out-of-town sailors. Competitive racing with a cause.
When: Late May or early June • Weekend event
June
Glow in the Park Movie Series
Free outdoor movie nights at Fairhopers Community Park on the first Thursday of June, July, and August. Movies start about 15 minutes after sunset. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic (no alcohol or glass). Merchants hand out popcorn and glow-in-the-dark items. A low-key, family-friendly evening.
When: First Thursdays in June, July, August • Where: 105 S. Church St
Mobile Bay Jubilee Season Begins
This is not an event anyone can schedule. A Jubilee is one of the rarest natural phenomena in the world — it only occurs in Mobile Bay and one bay in Japan. When oxygen-depleted bottom water pushes toward shore, crabs, shrimp, flounder, and eels swarm the shallows in enormous numbers. Locals ring bells and wake up the neighborhood. Visitors can gather seafood by hand — no fishing license needed for hand-gathering. It happens sporadically from June through September, most often in August, usually before sunrise. Overcast skies, gentle east wind, calm bay, rising tide — those are the conditions. Fairhope Pier is the best public spot to experience it.
Recreational limits: One 5-gallon bucket of shrimp/crabs per day; 5 flounder, minimum 14 inches.
Nobody can predict a Jubilee. But if you’re here during the summer and you hear bells at 4 AM, get to the water.
July
Fairhope bleeds red, white and blue. 4th of July is a big deal here. In addition to fireworks, flags will fly loud and proud.
Fourth of July Concert & Fireworks
The Baldwin Pops Band plays a patriotic concert at Henry George Park starting at 7:30 PM, followed by a fireworks show off Fairhope Pier around 9:00. The city invested $40,000 in the 2025 display. Family-friendly, alcohol-free, no personal fireworks. Free.
Parking is very limited. Park downtown and walk to the pier.
This is one of the best fireworks-over-water shows on the Gulf Coast. Get there early.
American Legion Post 199
Veteran-run American Legion Post 199 also hosts an outdoor concert and opens the tiki bar. Bayfront property with a private pier and a whole lotta love for our country.
Where: 700 S Mobile St, Fairhope • americanlegionpost199.org
August
The hottest month. Fairhope slows down a little, but the bay doesn’t. August is peak Jubilee season — more Jubilees happen this month than any other. The summer movie series wraps up with its final Glow in the Park screening on the first Thursday.
September
The fall season kicks in. Live at Five returns. The sailing calendar heats up again.
Yoga Life Fair
An afternoon of yoga classes for all levels at Fairhope Pier Park. Raffle prizes, performances, live music, vendor booths. Raises food for local food banks — September is Hunger Action Month. Free or donation-based.
When: Third Saturday in September • Where: Fairhope Pier Park, 3 Beach Rd
Wadewitz Regatta
Fairhope Yacht Club‘s fall regatta, named after one of the club’s founding families. Handicap, multihull, one design, and youth classes. Part of the Gulf Yachting Association’s Capdevielle Trophy series. A weekend of competitive sailing on Mobile Bay.
When: Late September, weekend event
Live at Five — Fall Season
The concert series returns for its fall run at Halstead Amphitheater. Same setup as spring — gates at 4, opening band at 5, headliner at 6:30. Check liveatfivefairhope.com for the lineup.
October
October is stacked. The weather breaks, the crowds come back, and Fairhope loads up with events that range from classic cars to fungi foraging.
Gulf Coast Fungi Festival
This one is not what you expect. Three days at Weeks Bay Plantation — guided mushroom foraging tours, cooking demos, expert lectures on medicinal and culinary mushrooms, live music, vendor village, drum circles. Camping available. Founded in 2023, it has quickly become one of the most unique events in the region.
When: Mid-October, 3-day weekend • Tickets: ~$100 weekend pass, ~$40 day pass
British Car Festival
140+ classic and modern British cars on display at Fairhope United Methodist Church. Jaguars, MGs, McLarens, Rolls Royces, Triumphs. Hosted by the South Alabama British Car Club for over 30 years. Free admission for spectators.
When: Late October, Saturday (one day)
Downtown Trick or Treat
Kids in costumes trick-or-treat at downtown businesses the Saturday before Halloween. Look for orange pumpkins in shop windows. Teal pumpkins mark allergy-friendly locations. Photo stop at the Welcome Center. Free.
When: Saturday before Halloween, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
November
November might be Fairhope’s most underrated month with one of the best small-town holiday traditions in the country.
Plein Air Fairhope
Sixty artists from across the region spend a week painting outdoors — on downtown streets, at the pier, along the bay. You can watch them work and buy “wet room” paintings during the week before they dry. The exhibition and sale opens at the Eastern Shore Art Center during the First Friday Art Walk. Quick Draw event at the park near the pier. Now in its 7th year.
When: First full week of November • Exhibit runs through mid-December
Fairhope Film Festival
Four days of independent film — features, shorts, filmmaker panels, and a red-carpet event across four to six venues downtown. Past guests have included Talia Shire. International partnership with the Fethiye Film Festival in Turkey. Now in its 14th year.
When: Second weekend of November, 4 days • Tickets at fairhopefilmfestival.org
Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony
The parade starts at the Fairhope Civic Center and includes veterans organizations, military vehicles, the Fairhope High School band, Boy and Girl Scouts, and the Dogwood Trail Maids. Pre-parade breakfast for veterans at 8:30 AM. Post-parade ceremony with flag folding and rifle volley. A sunset prayer service at the Veterans Memorial in Henry George Park caps the day.
When: Saturday nearest November 11, 10:00 AM • Sunset service at 4:45 PM on Veterans Day
Lighting of the Trees
This is the one. Over 120 trees covered in more than a million lights, switched on at a single moment while 30,000 to 40,000 people count down. Holiday music, hot chocolate, pictures with Mrs. Claus. The tradition started over 40 years ago. HGTV named Fairhope one of the best small towns for Christmas. The lights stay on through Easter.
When: Third Thursday of November, countdown at 6:00 PM • Arrive by 5:30
This is the single best night to be in Fairhope. Not close.
Movie in the Street
The Saturday after Lighting of the Trees, they project a Christmas movie on a big screen right at the intersection of Section Street and Fairhope Avenue. Decorations themed to the year’s movie. Kids in pajamas, lawn chairs, hot chocolate. Free. Now in its 15th year.
When: Saturday after Lighting of the Trees, 6:30–8:30 PM
December
The lights are up, the town is decorated, and Fairhope leans into the holiday season hard.
Fairhope’s Magical Christmas Parade
Sixty-plus parade units — floats, marching bands, local businesses, decorated tractors. Santa arrives on a big red fire truck at the end. HGTV called it Alabama’s most well-known Christmas parade. Bring bags to collect throws — Mardi Gras-style tradition. Free.
When: First Friday of December, 7:00 PM
Santa Saturdays
Meet Santa at the white house in front of the Fairhope Museum of History. Bring your own camera. Drop off letters to Santa at the Welcome Center next door — kids receive a letter back. Free.
When: First and second Saturdays of December, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Pirates of Fish River Christmas Boat Parade
A lighted boat parade on Fish River between Weeks Bay and Highway 32. Best viewed from the docks or Big Daddy’s Grill on Ferry Road. A newer tradition — now in its 5th year — and growing fast.
When: A Saturday in mid-December, 5:30 PM • About 15 minutes from Fairhope
Worth the Drive
These are not in Fairhope, but they’re close enough that guests regularly attend. All within 45 minutes.
Elberta German Sausage Festival
6,500 pounds of German sausage on a 30-foot grill. 250+ arts and crafts booths, carnival rides, a bier garten, and up to 20,000 people. Benefits the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department. It happens twice a year — last Saturday of March and last Saturday of October. Free admission. About 25 minutes from Fairhope. Since 1978.
Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival
50+ hot air balloons, tethered rides, balloon glows at sunset, live entertainment, and family activities at OWA Parks in Foley. Free admission. Details at gulfcoastballoonfestival.com. About 35 minutes from Fairhope.
When: First weekend of May, 3 days
National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores
One of the biggest beach festivals in the South. Four days on the second weekend of October. Gulf seafood, 200+ arts and crafts booths, live music on two stages. Free admission. About 45 minutes from Fairhope. Details at myshrimpfest.com.
Sailing on Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay has a sailing tradition that goes back over a century, and Fairhope sits right in the middle of it. If you sail — or if you’re curious about the sport — this is worth knowing about.
Fairhope Yacht Club has been on the eastern shore since 1942. It’s a member of the Gulf Yachting Association, one of the oldest yachting associations in the country, founded in 1901. Along with Buccaneer Yacht Club and Mobile Yacht Club, these three clubs host over a dozen regattas a year on Mobile Bay.
The headline event is the Dauphin Island Race, typically held the last weekend of April. It is one of the largest point-to-point sailboat races in North America — 300+ boats, 1,000+ crew, 18 nautical miles across Mobile Bay. The hosting rotates among the three clubs. Sailors come from across the region and beyond. Fairhope is the natural place to stay.
Fairhope Yacht Club also hosts the Dogwood Regatta in the spring, the Wadewitz Regatta in the fall, and the Children’s Cup Regatta — a charity event benefiting Children’s of Alabama. The GYA’s 12-regatta annual Capdevielle Trophy series includes several races on Mobile Bay.
If you’re planning a trip around a regatta, book early. These events fill up the town.
Planning a Visit?
If planning to visit Fairhope, plan ahead. All of the hotels and short-term rentals fill up for the bigger events and busier seasons.
Top-Rated Fairhope Vacation Rentals, Cottages and Hotels
Emerson House Fairhope — Custom-built home one block from the Fairhope Municipal Pier and steps from downtown. Four bedrooms, pet friendly, golf cart included. Ideal for families and groups.
Waterfront Paradise — Bayfront cottage on Mobile Bay with panoramic sunset views. Kayaks and paddle boards included. A short drive from downtown with the reward of coming home to the water.
Charming Bayfront Getaway — Cozy cottage on Mobile Bay with a private pier for fishing and crabbing. Pet friendly. Perfect for couples or small families.
Emma’s Bay House — Bed and breakfast directly on Mobile Bay near the Fairhope Municipal Pier. Rooms named for the original owner’s daughters, each with private bath. Walking distance to downtown.
The Bay House and Bungalows — Multiple cottages and suites within walking distance of downtown Fairhope and the pier. Options range from one-bedroom bungalows to multi-unit rentals for larger groups.
Lucia Bleu Cottages — Three luxury cottages on the bluff overlooking Mobile Bay. Private pools, bicycles included. Minutes from downtown Fairhope.
Cottages of Fairhope — Furnished short-term rentals located on Fairhope Avenue in the heart of downtown. Walking distance to everything.
The Grand Hotel, Point Clear — Full-service resort with golf, spa, pools, and waterfront dining on Mobile Bay.
Hampton Inn Fairhope — Located on Section Street in downtown Fairhope. Walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the pier. A reliable option if you prefer a hotel.