This Week on the Alabama Gulf Coast: Bingo, Live Music, Snakes and Goo Goo Dolls (Aug. 17-23)
Halfway through August, the Alabama Gulf Coast is still packed with things to do, from free bingo at Flora-Bama and a snake encounter at Gulf State Park to the Goo Goo Dolls at The Wharf and live music at Lulu's.
ALABAMA GULF COAST — Just because the calendar is creeping toward the end of August doesn’t mean the coast is slowing down. This week’s lineup runs from a laid-back afternoon of bingo and a lively night of local music to a slithery wildlife encounter, a downtown shopping event with built-in rewards, a big amphitheater concert, and a relaxed Sunday of food and music on the water. Here’s a day-by-day look at what’s happening around Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley this week.
Monday, Aug. 17: Free Bingo at Flora-Bama
Flora-Bama’s tent stage in Perdido Key hosts a free, laid-back bingo afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. every Monday through Friday. It’s a casual way to spend a midday or early afternoon, with friendly competition, prizes and plenty of laughs, whether visitors settle in with a cocktail and a meal or just play a few rounds for fun.
Tuesday, Aug. 18: Live Music at Tacky Jacks Fort Morgan
Tacky Jacks Fort Morgan welcomes guest artist Rachael Lane from 6 to 9 p.m. for an evening of live, local music alongside waterside dining. Guests can walk down to the marina to check out the charter and fishing fleets, browse nearby gift shops, and sample the restaurant’s fried, grilled and half-shell seafood along with beef and chicken options — including the popular Garbage Nachos, a shareable plate.
Wednesday, Aug. 19: Sensational Snakes at Gulf State Park
The Learning Campus at Gulf State Park hosts Sensational Snakes from 1 to 2 p.m., a free, one-day exhibit where visitors can get an up-close look at several native snake species. The event includes hands-on learning opportunities about the important role snakes play in local ecosystems, plus a chance to snap photos. Afterward, visitors can explore more of the park by renting a bike or walking one of its many trails.
Thursday, Aug. 20: Third Thursday in Downtown Foley
Downtown Foley’s Third Thursday runs from 5 to 7 p.m., combining shopping with savings through a digital “passport” program. Visitors scan a QR code to start earning rewards, then collect points by checking in at shops, cafes, boutiques and other Foley businesses throughout the evening and into the weekend. The more stops made, the more discounts and prizes become available.
Friday-Saturday, Aug. 21-22: Goo Goo Dolls at The Wharf
The Goo Goo Dolls bring their summer tour to The Wharf Amphitheater on Friday night, with special guest Neon Trees. The band, which has been recording since the mid-1980s, has built a catalog of hits including “Name,” “Slide,” “Black Balloon” and “Iris” that spans generations of fans. The concert also marks one of the closing shows of summer concert season at The Wharf. Saturday brings Game Day on the Green along with the 4th Annual Tailgate Cook-Off, rounding out a weekend built around football season, food and community.
Sunday, Aug. 23: Food, Fun and Music at Lulu’s
Lulu’s Homeport in Gulf Shores, situated along the Intracoastal Waterway, offers a full day of entertainment for visitors arriving by car or boat. Beyond the open-air restaurant, guests can enjoy a ropes course, an arcade, and a gift shop stocked with souvenirs and house-made salsa. The menu features gumbo and other seafood dishes alongside steak, chicken, salads and pasta. Live music runs from 6 to 10 p.m. with performances from Rebecca Barry and Gerry Gambino.
Whether it’s shouting “Bingo!,” learning about native snakes, exploring downtown Foley, singing along to the Goo Goo Dolls, or settling in for a Sunday on the water at Lulu’s, the Alabama Gulf Coast has plenty left to offer before summer winds down.
