Every March, in Orange Beach, Alabama, the Festival of Art celebrates the arts, including visual and fine arts, crafts, glass art, pottery, painting, sculpting, textile art, wood art and more. The 2020 festival will be on March 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, at Orange Beach Waterfront Park.
At the Festival of Art, guests can learn as artists give live demonstrations and display their works. Enjoy as performing artists entertain on the banks of Orange Beach’s Wolf Bay. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones — or yourself!
Adding the festival to your spring break itinerary, like Ellie and I did last year on a hosted trip, is a great way to get in touch with your creative side! We enjoyed the festival, spoke with artisans and learned about glass making at the hot shop demonstration.
Admission to the Festival of Art is free, as are artist demonstrations and live performances. Parking is not available onsite, but we found easy parking down the street at the library. Guests can also park at The Wharf nearby and take a shuttle ($5 fee) to the event. There is a bike parking lot available for those who prefer to explore on two wheels.
Festival of Art Highlights
With more than 100 vendors, the Festival of Art has a variety of art forms, from photography to painting, jewelry making to sculpture and everything in between. The culinary arts are not forgotten, with food available from local restaurants. Table seating is available, so make a day of it! With so much space dedicated to the Festival of Art, there are some special attractions to make the day even better.
Kid’s Art Alley
Kids are naturally creative, especially when given the freedom to try something new. Hands-on art stations and creative play spaces in the Kid’s Art Alley bring the fun of art to kids. Let your kids choose what they want to create and then let them do it. The staff will assist as needed — and you get to watch their creative mind open. Check the festival site regularly for times and offerings.
Music & Songwriter’s Stage
Live music is always a treat, and the Festival of Art does not disappoint. The 2020 lineup includes Roman Street, Three Bean Soup, Coconut Radio and more. Also, the Performing Arts Stage will feature fun entertainment in various forms from ballet to karate! Head to the Music & Songwriter’s Stage on the banks of Wolf Bay to relax and enjoy a performance or two.
Live Demonstrations
Stop by The Hot Shop and The Clay Studio for live glassblowing and pottery demonstrations throughout the Festival of Art. Other artisans will provide less formal demonstrations at their tents. Watching artisans who are passionate about their craft might just inspire you to try something new.
Even if an artist is not offering a live demonstration, most will talk with you about their creative process. Ask how they got started or what inspires them. They sure make art look simple, but it’s not!
Plan your visit to the Festival of Art
- Location: Orange Beach Waterfront Park, 26425 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- 2020 Dates: March 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Click here for current information)
- Admission: FREE.
- Parking: The Wharf in Orange Beach (near the Orange Beach Event Center) with $5 shuttle to the event. Bike parking is available for free.
If you can’t visit during the Festival of Art, the Art Center is open year-round. It is an accessible facility, and well-behaved, leashed pets are allowed. Learn more about the Art Center at their website.
Save this post for your vacation planning
Pin this post to your vacation ideas boards or share it to Facebook so you (and your friends) can find it later! We love the Festival of Art in Orange Beach, and think you will, too!
For more fun in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, check out these activities!
- Catamaran Sail for dolphins, paddle boarding and to see the Blue Angels,
- Hang out with kangaroos (and friends) at the Gulf Coast Zoo,
- Ride a go-kart, play some putt putt or ride the ferris wheel — great teen fun,
- Slow it down with a bike ride through Gulf State Park, or
- Enjoy a fabulous meal together — maybe even outside!
There’s so much to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! It’s my absolute favorite spring break destination! Ellie and I want to thank Visit Alabama’s Beaches for inviting us to explore for purposes of this post as part of their #SpringAhead campaign. Learn more at their website, or search with the hashtag! We think you’ll enjoy it as much as we do!
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