ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The calendar may be creeping toward September, but the Alabama Gulf Coast is still swinging for one more big hit. This week offers a wonderfully random — and very Gulf Coast — mix of things to see, do, learn, hear and eat, from waterside concerts to oyster-shell art, ancient sea turtles and a full-day trip to Hogwarts in Foley.
Whether you’re after adventure, education, music or just a good excuse to get out of the house, here’s the week ahead.
Monday: Live Music at Three Waterside Stages
Kick off the week at Tacky Jacks, where all three locations — Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan — host live music. Neal Pennington plays Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores from 5 to 8 p.m., Dan Poer takes the Orange Beach stage from 6 to 9 p.m., and Dreezy & the Homies round out the night at Tacky Jacks Fort Morgan, also 6 to 9 p.m. Whichever waterfront you choose, Monday has a stage waiting.
Tuesday: Oyster Art and Fossil Sea Turtles
At the Learning Campus at Gulf State Park, a 10 to 11 a.m. Eco Art session ($16.50 per participant, or $5 off with code HOTSUMMERDEAL!) teaches visitors about Alabama’s oysters, how they’re fared and how shells are recycled — then helps you turn one into decoupage art to take home. Supplies are provided.
Immediately after, walk over to the on-site interpretive center for a free one-hour program, “The Fossil Sea Turtles of Alabama,” presented by Dr. Andrew Gentry, a leading scholar in sea turtle paleontology, tracing sea turtles from ancient fossils to the species still cruising Gulf waters today. Make it a full day of learning at Gulf State Park.
Wednesday: Jack Johnson at The Wharf
Orange Beach welcomes singer-songwriter Jack Johnson to the Wharf Amphitheater. Known for his breezy blend of surf rock, folk and acoustic grooves, Johnson broke through with “Brushfire Fairytales” in 2001 and has since released eight studio albums along with surf films including “Thicker Than Water,” “The September Sessions” and “A Brokedown Melody.” His team is known for supporting local venues, non-profits and waste-reduction programs that cut single-use plastics, with some merchandise profits supporting those charitable initiatives. Tickets are on sale now.
Thursday: A Gulf Conservation Celebration
The Gulf Coast Eco Center hosts an evening celebrating Alabama’s marine life, presented by Alabama’s Coastal Connection and Healthy Gulf. Guests can enjoy short films, updates on local sea turtle nesting, and educational presentations on protecting coastal ecosystems — including how recent changes in wildlife protections could affect species like sea turtles, manatees and rice whales that call the Gulf home. Expect snacks, drinks and live music alongside the conservation message.
Friday: Billfish Weigh-Ins and Sunset Sips
The 4th Annual Charter Boat Billfish Tournament gets its shotgun start midweek, and the action comes ashore Friday at Zeke’s Marina, where weigh-ins let anglers lift, photograph and score their big-game catches. Watch the fleets roll through Perdido Pass, relax at Moe’s Fishing Bar or the restaurant, or head to The Gulf on the southwest side of the pass, where the Sunset Sips and Sounds event runs 5 to 9 p.m. with DJ sets, chef specials, fresh seafood and signature cocktails.
Saturday: Hogwarts in Foley, Aldean in Orange Beach
The new Foley Community Library transforms into Hogwarts from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., complete with Mr. Norman the owl from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Harry Potter-themed photos, a screening of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” elderberry elixir tea-making, an Owlery letter station, a Diagon Alley craft zone, a house scavenger hunt for the House Cup and, of course, butterbeer.
Then trade robes for boots and head back to Orange Beach for the final summer series concert featuring Jason Aldean. Tickets are on sale now.
Sunday: Community Potluck in Foley
Cooper Farm Garden Center in Foley hosts its first-ever monthly community potluck at 4 p.m. Bring a dish to share — plates, silverware, ice water and an ice chest are provided, with kids’ activities in the fenced-in backyard. The Cooper family is deeply woven into the coastal community: through their nonprofit Cooper’s Table, they have partnered with the Orange Beach Billfish Classic and the Blue Marlin Grand Championship to distribute tournament-grade fish to local families since soon after their 2023 grand opening. Cooper Farm sits next to the John Deere dealer and horse stables on Highway 59 in north Foley.
So grab your calendar, gather your people, and make these last golden days of August count. There’s still plenty of summer left to soak up on the Alabama Gulf Coast.