Name: 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival
Start: 2026-10-08T10:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-10-11T17:00:00-05:00
Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach

About the event

A Four Day Free to Attend Festival. For 52 years this volunteer-driven event has grown to a spectacle that attracts visitors from all 50 states and brings together every person in the region by giving them an opportunity to participate as a volunteer, customer, vendor, contestant, performer, or sponsor. From the toddler to teen that competes in the Miss Shrimp Festival Pageant to the teenager that aspires to become a professional singer to the 80 year old resident that volunteers to answer questions at the information booth, there is truly something for everyone. We celebrate art, food, music, and fellowship with over 270 vendors in a family friendly, safe environment for four days with hundreds of volunteers, vendors, musicians, cooks, and servers, all with a laid back vibe enjoying the activities at Alabama's Pure White Sand Beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with over 300,000 friends.

Dates

Oct 08, 2026 · 10:00 AM - Oct 11, 2026 · 5:00 PM(GMT-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)

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Location

Gulf Shores Public Beach

101 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542, United States

Directions

Parking instructions

Parking is first come, first served basis at and around the festival site. We strongly recommend festival attendees take advantage of the shuttle service provided by the the Gulf Shores City School System. For $6 per day you can purchase a wristband that grants you unlimited rides from one of our designated pick up areas. Due to State Law, children under the age of five cannot be tranported on the buses. You may bring chairs but no coolers. The festival site is surrounded by privately owned businesses and private residential houses/condos. These owners control the parking and parking fees on their property, NOT the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Annual National Shrimp Festival, or the City of Gulf Shores.

Health & safety

Food Vendors must undergo licensing and inspection State and Local Authorities; all vendors must purchase a Festival license from Baldwin County and the City of Gulf Shores, and remit taxes to all agencies.

Schedule

Artists, vendors & exhibitors applications

Interested in applying:

1 active application

Food Vendor Application 2026

Deadline: Jul 24, 2026

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Welcome to the Food Vendor application process!

This is an electronic agreement and by submission, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

The Annual National Shrimp Festival is produced by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber (CABC). The CABC retains the exclusive and sole right to sell official Shrimp Festival art, souvenirs and merchandise. Vendors will NOT be allowed to sell ANY items, or market any product that include the words “Annual National Shrimp Festival” or any derivative thereof including but not limited to , “Shrimp Festival”, “National Shrimp Festival”, “Shrimp Fest”, the year (53rd Annual) or the term “Official Merchandise” if merchandise may be construed to be tied to the event itself.

Vendor selection is a JURIED process. No vendor is guaranteed acceptance, booth location, or number of booths requested, despite previous participation in the Annual National Shrimp Festival. A signed application constitutes a contract to follow and be bound by all Annual National Shrimp Festival Rules & Regulations, and is a commitment to participate personally if accepted. ALL vendors are required to submit photos and a map of your booth setup.

Do you want to be eligible to win an award called BEST of FEST for one of your dishes? Our show includes judging of a dish presented by accepted vendors during the Festival. Judging & Award participation is OPTIONAL and you MUST OPT IN to be included. By opting in,you agree to prepare and present a menu item ready for tasting/judging. Judging will take place the Thursday of the Festival beginning at 10 am.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Submission Deadline April 24, 2026

Full Refund Deadline (If Accepted) August 28, 2026

You will not be considered if this application is incomplete, unsigned, or received without correct fee payment.

Maps

Terms & Conditions

ALLOWED: Friendly, enthusiastic patrons that enjoy celebrating art, food, music, shopping and of course, SHRIMP! You may bring chairs as well. NOT ALLOWED: Pets, Outside Alcohol, Firearms, Drugs, Coolers. Bicycles are welcome to be checked at our free Bicycle Valet but we ask you to WALK your bike inside the site. Easy Peasy!

Hosted by Coastal Alabama Business Chamber

Joined Eventeny in June 2021

13 events

Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States