Bama Coast Cruisin’ Car Show and Freedom Fest Team Up for a Fall Weekend at The Wharf

OBA Staff • September 1, 2026

The two-day event pairs a car show with live music, a beach cruise, and family activities

Bama Coast Cruisin' at Freedom Fest

Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  Car enthusiasts along the Alabama Gulf Coast have a reason to mark their calendars this fall. Bama Coast Cruisin' is returning with its annual fall show to The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, alongside the Orange Beach Freedom Fest. The two-day event draws hundreds of registered participants and thousands of spectators each year. Pre-registration is required for all show-car participants, and spots are filling up.


The fall show is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, at The Wharf on Wharf Parkway in Orange Beach. Registration and check-in will be at the south end of Main Street at The Wharf. Organizers ask all participants to stop at the registration tent upon arrival.


Every registered participant receives a VIP Reserved Parking Space with their name on it. The space is reserved from year to year, giving returning participants the first right to reclaim their same spot the following fall. Participants can re-register their space at the Registration Tent from noon Saturday through noon Sunday.

There are no restrictions on the type of vehicle that can be entered in the show. Cars, trucks, and custom rides of all makes, models, and years are welcome. The event's motto is simple: "Bring your dream ride and cruise with us."


Live music is scheduled both days on the Flora-Bama/CoastAL Stage. Saturday's lineup runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features Mike Diamond, the Tim Roberts Duo, Al & Cathy, and the Willie Traywick Band. Sunday's lineup runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Ronnie Presley, Mike Diamond, and Tyler Ward taking the stage.


A Friday night pre-show party at Yoho Rum & Tacos at The Wharf will feature live music by Jeff Roberts. On Saturday evening, a cruise-in at Tiki & Raw Bar on Canal Road runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with live music by Clay Watson and the Justin Colvard Band.


Sunday's 14-mile Beach Cruise is one of the weekend's most anticipated events. Vehicles line up at 3 p.m., and the cruise departs at 3:15 p.m., traveling from The Wharf down the scenic beach highway and back. The cruise is escorted by police, with average speeds of 20 to 30 mph.


Door prize giveaways for registered participants occur throughout the day, and a 50/50 drawing is held during the Awards Ceremony on Sunday. A free Kids Zone with inflatables is also planned for families attending the event.


The Orange Beach Freedom Fest
, held alongside the car show, features arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment, and children's activities. A Sunday afternoon program at The Wharf Amphitheater is planned, with all proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit. The Gulf Coast Gun Collectors Association is also scheduled to host a Collectible Firearms Show at the Orange Beach Event Center over the weekend.


Participants must pre-register online to reserve a spot. More information and registration are available at
bamacoastcruisin.com/fall.


Share this article w/ Friends...

Foley Police Cruiser
By OBA Staff September 1, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — A 39-year-old Mobile man faces a first-degree rape charge following an incident in Foley, Alabama. The Foley Police Department led the investigation after receiving a report from an adult victim. Detectives found probable cause to arrest the suspect. The case involved cooperation among multiple l
Orange Beach City Hall
By K. Cooper September 1, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach leaders are advancing key municipal priorities at tonight’s meeting, highlighted by a resolution to officially adopt the city’s new Comprehensive Plan and a bid award for major renovations at Orange Beach Medical Center South.
Things To Do This Week on the Gulf Coast
By Jessica A. Taylor August 31, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Well, friends, August is officially saying goodbye—and September is sliding in as if it owns the place. But around here, we don’t exactly close the door on summer just because the calendar says it’s time. This week along the Alabama Gulf Coast, you can still catch a sunset from the water o
Gulf Shores Sunset Series
By K. Cooper August 31, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Gulf Shores is bringing live music back to the waterfront this fall with its annual Sunset Series on the Town Green at Gulf Place. The free outdoor concert series offers residents and visitors the chance to enjoy local and national artists against the backdrop of the Gulf's whit
South Baldwin Community Theatre
By OBA Staff August 31, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — South Baldwin Community Theatre has announced its full Season 55 lineup, featuring 12 productions at the George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center in Gulf Shores. The season runs nearly a full year and spans a wide range of genres, including comedy, mystery, musicals, and holiday-themed shows.
Sky Window Design & More
By R. Peevy August 30, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — As the summer crowds diminish and the cooler autumn months approach, autumn presents an ideal opportunity to update your residence or vacation rental property. Whether you are preparing a property for winter visitors or seeking to refresh your personal living space after a bustling summer,
Fort Morgan Trail
By OBA Staff August 30, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Alabama State Parks officially opened a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park. The new section extends westward from Plantation Boulevard to a terminus near Fort Morgan Pizza along Alabama Highway 180 (Fort Morgan Road). Community leaders, elected officials, and Ala
Cotton Bayou Beach
By OBA Staff August 30, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — National Beach Day gives residents and visitors another reason to enjoy the Gulf Coast Beaches. The observance also highlights clean water, safe swimming, and responsible beach use. Local communities provide public access to 28 beaches from Fort Morgan to Perdido Key. Each location offers
Foley Activity Center
By Guy Busby August 29, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley is taking preliminary steps to guide the growth of its downtown municipal campus after the Foley City Council approved a proposal from Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood to prepare a comprehensive master plan. Rather than establishing a rigid blueprint, the effort is designed to create a
Football Season Kicks-Off This Weekend
By R. Peevy August 29, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Football season returns this weekend, bringing college and NFL games back to televisions across the country. In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, restaurants and sports bars are preparing for fans looking for a place to watch their favorite teams. From college football Saturdays to NFL Sundays
Show More