10 Events in Mobile, AL, Where the Good Times Roll
No matter the season, it’s always the right time for a party in the Port City. When you’re ready to let the good times roll, here are just a few events in Mobile, AL, you must experience first hand.
In This Article
Mardi Gras
A season, a citywide passion, a state of mind, this king of celebrations started life in the U.S. right here in 1703, as nearly every Mobilian will proudly remind you. The limitless fun begins with Twelfth Night in early January and continues until Fat Tuesday before the Christian season of Lent. A dizzying array of parades, parties, masked balls and more mark this cultural and historical heart of Mobile.
LoDa ArtWalk
What better way to enjoy an evening than strolling through galleries, shopping for unique treasures, enjoying dinner, casual munchies or a glass of wine, and hearing a bit of music? Mobile’s art walk through LoDa (Lower Dauphin district) on the second Friday of each month brings thousands to historic downtown Mobile for a free, family-friendly night out.
Azalea Trail Run
More exercise, but no less enjoyment, this 10K run comes around every spring, along with Mobile’s breathtaking azaleas and other harbingers of the season. The beautiful Azalea Trail Run, one of the nation’s premier road race events, draws runners and enthusiastic spectators from around the world.
MoonPie Over Mobile
New York drops a glittering crystal ball in Times Square each New Year’s Eve. Nashville, TN, drops a music note. In Boise, ID, it’s a giant potato. And in Mobile, revelers cheer a 12-foot, 600-pound MoonPie as it slides 317 feet to earth. Why a MoonPie? Well, they’ve been a favorite Mardi Gras “throw” from parade floats since 1952, and Mobile consumes 4 million of the goodies each year.
College Football Fun
Mobile’s busy sports scene includes college football greatness. For 76 years, the Senior Bowl has brought top college athletes to town in February for an event recognized as the beginning of the NFL draft. The 68 Ventures Bowl began in 1999 as the Mobile Alabama Bowl. High-profile college teams compete each December. In October, the Gulf Coast Challenge matches teams from HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) during a four-day event that also includes concerts, parades and educational programs.
Dauphin Street Beer Festival
Dauphin Street transforms into a hop-tastic haven during this one-day celebration! Prepare for a frothy adventure where the only thing flowing more freely than conversation is craft beer. Sample your way through a symphony of suds and discover your new favorite brew. This walkable street festival offers endless sips, festive vibes and the chance to explore downtown Mobile’s charm. The 2025 event is planned for early October.
Distinguished Young Women
Originally known as America’s Junior Miss when it launched in 1958, this worthy program for high school young women provides scholarships ($122 million to date), life skills and a supportive peer network to empower future female leaders.
Each June, state representatives come to town for weeks of outreach and education, culminating in an exciting competition highlighting contestants’ talent, fitness, educational achievement and public speaking. The event continues to inspire young women across the region and beyond.
Magic Christmas in Lights
Experience the dazzling Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore, AL. Stroll through over 3 million lights across 65 acres, featuring over 1,100 set pieces. Enjoy festive music, hot chocolate and even meet Santa. This Gulf Coast tradition offers a magical holiday experience for all ages, running from late November through early January.
Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
As the largest fishing tournament in the world, it lures 4,000 of the world’s best anglers and 75,000 fans to picturesque Dauphin Island just down the bay from Mobile. The three-day competition in July, founded in 1929, offers up to $1 million in cash and prizes to winners in 33 categories, drawing immense crowds to the area.
Greater Gulf State Fair
Since 1955, families have looked forward to fall, heralded by the Greater Gulf State Fair at the end of October. For 10 days, this event transforms The Grounds fair site into a fun, educational and inspiring celebration of local agriculture. Along with barns devoted to different aspects of the ag industry, all the traditional fun of state fairs is on hand – rides, food, games and music. It’s a cherished annual tradition, creating lasting memories for generations of fairgoers.
Get to Know Mobile, AL
Want to learn more about living and working in Mobile, AL? Check out the new edition of Livability Mobile – Coastal Alabama.
