With Fourth of July approaching, Spectrum Resorts wants to make sure you know the best places to see fireworks light up the Gulf Coast sky. Various celebrations will be had across the Alabama Gulf Coast that includes family-friendly fun and activities for all ages. And our Gulf Shores resorts provide all of the comfy accommodations and generous amenities to create a memorable Gulf Coast family vacation for this year’s Independence Day.

What are you waiting for? Check out these can’t miss Gulf Coast July 4th celebrations below!

Independence Day Street Party | The Wharf | July 3rd, 5 pm – 9 pm

The Wharf is celebrating Independence Day a little early this year! From 5 pm – 9 pm, a patriotic street party will be held on Main Street with live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, and prize giveaways. Once 8:45 pm hits, the palm trees that line the street will begin to glimmer in red, white, and blue and the night sky will light up with a fireworks extravaganza. Admission is free. Some activities do require a fee. For more information, call (251) 224-1000.

*All events below take place on July 4th.

6th Annual Shark Run | Flora-Bama | 7 am – 10 am

What has become an Independence Day tradition continues this July 4th as hundreds of runners will be on hand to compete. Several races will be available:

• 4 Mile All Road Race – a 4-mile course on a flat, road surface
• Original Adventure Run – 2 miles of road course then 2.5 miles on beach sand; runners will wear flag belts that “sharks” will attempt to steal; must have flag intact when crossing the finish line to be eligible for awards
• 1 Mile Adventure Run – an out and back course on the beach; runners will wear flag belts that “sharks” will attempt to steal

After the races, refreshments and free beer (over 21) will be available. A DJ will also be on hand spinning the hits. You can register on the Harley Sports website.

J4 Celebration | Turquoise Place Resort

Turquoise Place Resort will be hosting the J4 Celebration in honor of July 4th with a fireworks display and live music at the Tip Tops of the resort. When you upgrade with the Freedom Pass you’ll even get to enjoy delicious All American BBQ and kid-friendly activities like laser tag and rock wall climbing. For more information, and to add your Freedom Pass, call (855) 267-4885.

City of Gulf Shores Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration | Gulf State Park | 9 pm

The Gulf State Park will be helping the city of Gulf Shores celebrate the Fourth of July with a firework show that starts at 9 pm. The fireworks will be shot from the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. You can find a spot on Gulf Shores Public Beach and the surrounding area for perfect views of the extravaganza.

Have you booked your Gulf Coast accommodations for the summer? Reserve your luxury Gulf Shores condo at one of our Gulf Coast resorts!

Visitors will be flocking to the beaches this summer for a little rest and relaxation. The 100 Days of Summer are a time to create happy memories while swimming, basking in the sun and enjoying spending time with family and friends.

Start planning your summer today so you don’t miss out on area activities and attractions. In order to see and do as much as possible during the 100 Days of Summer, we have composed a list of Must Do’s for your Coastal Alabama 100 Days of Summer beach getaway.

C Spire Concert Series – With acts like Dave Mathews Band, Eric Church and The Steve Miller Band, The Wharf is going to be jamming all summer long.  The C Spire Concert Series is presenting a lineup that is sure to entertain.

Independence Day – The skies in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach light up during July 4^th with stunning fireworks from The Beach Club on Fort Morgan Road all the way to Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The Gulf State Park and The Wharf also host extravagant firework displays.

Summertide Theatre presents: Ring of Fire – The music of Johnny Cash will be performed by The University of Alabama’s professional summer theatre, SummerTide.  Performances are every Tuesday through Sunday evening from June 5- July 3. ‘Walk the line’ to Gulf Shores to see Johnny Cash’s music come to life at the George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center in Gulf Shores.

The Blue Marlin Grand Championship – The greatest show in sportsfishing will once again present the over-the-top weigh-in for The Blue Marlin Grand Championship a the Wharf July 7-12.  Named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast, The Grand Championship befits the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

100 Days of Summer at The Wharf – The Wharf is hosting an entertaining summer filled with events and concerts including the nightly Spectra light shows beginning at 8:30pm. Kids’ night is every Wednesday night in the Palm Plaza next to the Ferris wheel. It is Free to the public with bouncy houses, face painting, hair wraps an
d more.

We suggest you retreat to the beautiful beaches of Alabama for the 100 Days of Summer.  Create happy memories in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and take advantage of the many coastal activities and events. Please let us know what is on your must do list for the summer.

It only happens once a year, but people from all over flock to the Gulf Coast to celebrate Mardi Gras. There are beads, masks, costumes and parades galore. Many people think of New Orleans as the birthplace of Mardi Gras but French settlers organized the first Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile. The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans in 1837 and is now considered the place where the good times roll.

If you are staying in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach this Mardi Gras season, there are many ways to celebrate. You can line the streets to yell at passing floats for beads, you can attend a Mardi Gras ball or enjoy a Mardi Gras boat parade.

Here are 5 parades you won’t want to miss in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

1. LuLu’s is hosting the 3rd Annual Birds of Paradise Mardi Gras Ball on February 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets include open bar, music by the Tip Tops and dinner. Guests must be 21 or older to attend this event.

2. The Mystical Order of Mirams rolls down Perdido Beach Boulevard on February 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Orange Beach.

3. The Mystic of Pleasures starts in Orange Beach on February 14 at 5:30 p.m. on Perdido Beach Boulevard.

4. Two family-friendly parades make their way down Main Street at The Wharf on February 14. The Children and Pet Parade begins at 4 p.m. and the traditional float parade begins at 6 p.m. All kids are invited to jump in the free bounce houses and the nightly light show will feature the sounds and sights of Mardi Gras.

5. Three parades occur on Fat Tuesday, February 17:
• The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Highway 59 from Clubhouse Drive to the Main Public Beach by Hangout.
• The Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Perdido Beach Boulevard and ends at Alabama Highway 161.
• The Annual LuLu’s Mardi Gras Boat Parade will depart from The Wharf at 3 p.m. and travel along the Intracoastal Waterway to LuLu’s. It is also LuLu’s 16th anniversary so indulge in a slice of complimentary cake to celebrate.

Freelance writer, Karon Warren recently shared her tips with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism on how to Have a Family-Friendly Mardi Gras on Alabama Beaches. Please read her blog post and let us know how you celebrate Mardi Gras.

Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)