Memorial Day Weekend 2024: Best Events in Orange Beach

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the unofficial summer season, and Orange Beach is packed with great family activities for all ages. Read on for Orange Beach Memorial Day weekend events and activities that offer something for everyone in the family.

Orange Beach Memorial Day Weekend Events (2024)

47th Annual 2024 MBGFC Memorial Day Tournament

May 22-26

Orange Beach Marina, 27075 Marina Rd. Orange Beach, AL 36561

The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club hosts its annual Memorial Day tournament with boats vying for $1 million in prizes. The J&M Tackle Weigh Dock at Perdido Pass is open from 7pm. – 8pm on Friday and 4pm to 7pm on Saturday, so head down to see the monster fish these anglers reel in.

S’mores on the Shore

May 23, 6 pm

Gulf Place (Gulf Shores Main Public Beach)

If you arrive a little early, be sure to stop by S’mores on the Shore at the west end of Gulf Place. This family-friendly event includes live music, campfires, and all the makings for s’mores. Bring a blanket or a beach chair and relax under the stars.

Aloha Summer Kickoff Party

May 24-26

Downtown OWA, 205 N Owa Blvd Foley, AL 36535

This weekend-long event kicks off the start of summer beach season by filling the streets of Downtown OWA with live entertainment, fun family activities, and evening fireworks. Join the party on Friday or Sunday from 2pm to 8pm or Saturday from 2pm to 9pm. Admission to OWA is free; activities inside of Tropic Falls require ticket purchase.

Cole Swindell in Concert

May 25, 7 pm

The Wharf Amphitheatre, Orange Beach

Cole Swindell is bringing his Win The Night Tour to The Wharf Amphitheater on May 25th at 7 p.m. for a Memorial Day Weekend kick-off event. Special guests are Dylan Scott and Jon Langston. It’s all part of the 2024 C Spire Concert Series, and you can purchase tickets here.

Living History Memorial Day-Wreath Laying Tribute

May 25

Fort Morgan, 110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores

Fort Morgan hosts its Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend commemoration May 25 with a wreath-laying ceremony planned for the crew of the Tecumseh, which sank in waters just off the Fort. Re-enactors show activity at the Fort from the War of 1812 to World War II, remembering those who gave their lives in service. There will be weapons demonstrations and artillery firing, as well as guided tours. Regular admission will be charged.

LuLuPalooza

May 25

LuLu’s Gulf Shores, 200 East 25th Ave.

The annual LuLuPalooza Summer 2024 Kick Off Party is a family-day filled with fun and back-to-back live music on the Crazy Sista Boat Stage. It’s a can’t-miss event for Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend.

Red, White + Wharf

May 27

The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach

This huge holiday celebration is fun for the entire family with face painting, magicians, camel rides and more. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., enjoy a glow bubble party after the sun sets from the Wharf’s official Bubble Truck. Stick around for fireworks at 8:45 p.m. Admission is free, though some activities have a fee.

Memorial Day Activities at Turquoise Place

The activities team at Turquoise Place has a jam-packed Orange Beach Memorial Day weekend planned for guests. This is just a sampling of the holiday fun! All events are complementary for Spectrum Resorts guests; events in pink require a small fee for Non-Spectrum guests. For a full listing, visit the Activities page.

Friday, May 24

10 am: Cannonball contest, Piper’s Place

12 pm: Piper the Pelican Dance Party, Piper’s Place

12-4 pm: Live Music

2 pm: Face Painting, 503C ($5)

Saturday, May 25

10 am: Rock Painting, 503C ($5)

12 pm: Poolside Limbo Contest, Piper’s Place

12-4 pm: Live Music

2 pm: Glitter tattoos, 503C ($5)

5-7 pm: Karaoke, Piper’s Place

Sunday, May 26

10 am: Make your own Jellyfish Craft, 503C

12 pm: Kids Custom Visors, 503C ($8)

3 pm: Trivia with Prizes, 503C

Monday, May 27

10 am: Painting Class, 503C ($8)         

12 pm: Piper the Pelican Dance Party, Piper’s Place

2 pm: Kids Colorable Beach Bag, 503C ($8)

An Orange Beach Memorial Day weekend stay at Turquoise Place puts you within close distance to all these fun events. But, with so many great activities at the resort, you may choose to never leave!

Travel Tips for Flying to Orange Beach

I’m a land-locked beach lover stuck in Ohio – so every chance I get – I run to the airport and make the quick flight path to Pensacola, Florida. All to get to my favorite destination: Orange Beach, Alabama. Why? Because I’m two steps from the beach at my favorite spot – Turquoise Place!

Here are a few travel tips:

Turquoise Place in Orange Beach

Why Turquoise Place?

I’m currently planning my next trip – this time with my BFF – and we looked at other destinations – but I knew – I wanted to come back to Orange Beach and Turquoise Place!

Everything I love is in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! The food, the drinks, the fun – I have all my favorite places I can’t wait to go back to!

There’s always something new!

Every visit, I’ve found someplace new to visit! I discovered the Pink Pony Pub on my last visit – um – yes please! #beachdrinks

Outdoor Pools at Turquoise Place Orange Beach Alabama

Turquoise Place is perfection!

These condos are really a destination in themselves. The beach is right there. There are great places to eat, multiple indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, gym, and more – plus the condos are incredible. The view – the hot tub – it’s just amazing! A quick trip to the grocery and you’re set for the week! And, if you use The Beach Moms exclusive concierge package for Spectrum Resorts guests, then you don’t even have to go to the store.

Another plus? If you do feel the need to venture out – you’re a quick Uber ride from all the best restaurants and attractions.

How do I Get to Orange Beach?

For me – It’s all about “de plane de plane!” I’m not a fan of driving more than 3-4 hours and, unfortunately, that will not get me to a beach! So, I fly! For me, it’s easiest to fly into Pensacola. They have a good selection of affordable flights and they’re always on-time (knock on wood). There’s no direct flights from Cincinnati – but other cities are lucky enough to have direct flights.

While I can’t go direct – it’s typically a quick layover and if I leave in the morning – I’m toes in the sand that afternoon! THAT is a vacation win!

How do I get around Orange Beach?

Rental Car
When I’m going on my own or like this upcoming BFF trip – I’ll rent a car. I have so many favorite restaurants and activities I want to do – a rental car makes it super easy. Plus – my BFF is flying in from Iowa – so we’re timing the flights so we can meet up in Pensacola and jump in the rental car together! GIRLS TRIP!

Uber
Other visits, I meet up with my friend that lives a few hours away – so she drives in. For those trips, I grab an Uber from the Pensacola International Airport to Turquoise Place. It’s a relaxing ride and I chat up with my driver to find a new place that is a must-stop place!

Plus, if you’re mainly just hanging at out at the resort you can always find an Uber to head to the fun can’t-miss adventures like the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo or one of the dolphin cruises.

All in all, traveling to Orange Beach by air is easy and Turquoise Place always helps me make sure that I have sand between my toes as quickly as possible! (Don’t forget to reserve those beach chairs!)

Heather Johnson

Heather Johnson is the voice behind Food Hussy, a food and travel blog since 2008. Heather shares about her travels, great eats and copycat recipes from the destinations she visits on her website. Follow Heather’s travels on her website and social media.