No Music Fest for 2026

At the December 8th Gulf Shores city council meeting, Hangout Music Festival and Sand in My Boots Festival were officially scrapped for 2026. Robert Craft, mayor of Gulf Shores, confirmed that organizers were unable to secure the “kind of acts” the city required, and, unwilling to revert to past lineups that drew a younger, rowdier crowd, officials unanimously declined to approve a 2026 event.

Meanwhile, permits and preliminary approvals are already in place for a 2027 return, giving organizers time to line up high-quality talent and meet the city’s standards for a “safe, high-quality event on our beaches."

Because these festivals typically drive an enormous surge in early reservations, you may notice two things in the coming months. First, some guests who booked far in advance, assuming a 2026 festival, may cancel once they realize the event is not happening. Second, without the usual surge in demand, that weekend should look more like a typical spring timeframe than a peak-event weekend. Our team will continue to monitor market pacing, adjust pricing accordingly, and work to backfill any cancellations with new bookings. As always, we will communicate trends as they develop and ensure your property remains well-positioned in a shifting demand landscape.