Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) —  Gulf Shores is preparing for one of its biggest events of the year. The 54th Annual National Shrimp Festival is expected to draw large crowds. Road closures and traffic changes will take effect days before the festival begins. Drivers near the beachfront should plan their routes in advance.

The festival runs from October 8 through October 11, 2026. The first round of road closures begins at 4 a.m. on Monday, October 5, with additional closures scheduled for Wednesday, October 7. The changes are staged over multiple days, so the full impact will build gradually throughout the week.

Several major roads will be affected starting October 5. Highway 59 will close southbound at the intersection of East and West 1st Avenue. West Beach Boulevard will close at West 4th Street, which will remain open as an alternate route. East Beach Boulevard will close from Highway 59 to East 2nd Street, and East 1st Street will be closed between East Beach Boulevard and East 1st Avenue. The West Gulf Place parking lot will also close that morning.

Drivers heading east toward Orange Beach should consider alternate routes to avoid delays. Highway 180 East and State Park Road (Highway 135) are recommended as alternate routes. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time throughout the festival weekend.

Two days later, on Wednesday, October 7, the East Gulf Place Resident Parking Lot will be closed to the public. That lot had remained open through the early part of the week, even though other closures were already in effect.

The full reopening schedule is as follows:

• Monday, October 12: All streets will reopen; East Gulf Place (Resident Parking Lot) will reopen.
• Tuesday, October 13: West Gulf Place and Gulf Place will reopen.

For parking details and shuttle information, residents and visitors can visit myshrimpfest.com.