Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores has been nominated for USA TODAY’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Specialty Food Festival, spotlighting Alabama’s coast once again. This honor recognizes the festival as one of the top food events nationwide and gives fans another reason to celebrate a signature Gulf Coast festival.

The 10Best awards begin with a panel of travel and food experts who select 20 notable specialty food festivals nationwide, then open voting to the public to choose the top 10. The National Shrimp Festival has already proven it belongs in that elite group, having previously ranked in the top five on the Specialty Food Festivals list. In the 10Best description, the event is called an incredible seafood celebration that embraces the Gulf each fall, recognized for its culinary focus and relaxed, beachside atmosphere.

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Held every October at the public beach where Highway 59 meets East Beach Boulevard, the festival brings the party directly to the sugar-white shoreline. Admission is free, attracting crowds that now number in the hundreds of thousands over the four-day event. Shrimp is the main attraction: visitors flock to shrimp po’boys, shrimp gumbo, and an array of coastal dishes featuring fresh Alabama wild shrimp. Festivalgoers can enjoy plate after plate of shrimp specialties while soaking up laid-back beach vibes and ocean breezes, creating a truly Gulf Coast experience.

Beyond the food, the festival features multiple stages of live music, a large arts and crafts area, cooking demonstrations, and family‑friendly activities, including a sandcastle contest on the beach. Local and regional vendors line the streets and beachside walkways with everything from handmade art to boutique clothing and specialty foods. The mix of music, shopping, and food has made the Shrimp Fest weekend an annual tradition for both residents and returning visitors.

The roots of the National Shrimp Festival trace back to 1971, when local leaders started a fall seafood event to extend the tourist season beyond summer. That first year attracted a small crowd and featured a seafood cook-off, sandcastle contest, beauty pageant, and fireworks. Over the years, the festival has grown into a major Gulf Coast tradition organized by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and supported by numerous volunteers. Today, it draws visitors to local hotels, condos, restaurants, and shops every October, serving as a key economic driver for the region.

Attendance now ranges from 250,000 to 300,000, with more than 300 vendors and two stages hosting dozens of musical acts over four days. For many small businesses and regional food vendors, the festival weekend ranks among the most important—and profitable—events of the year. The nomination for Best Specialty Food Festival underscores how a once‑small local gathering has evolved into a destination event with national appeal.

The specialty food festival category places Gulf Shores alongside other major culinary events that celebrate a signature dish or ingredient closely tied to local producers and regional identity. Past lists have included festivals dedicated to pickles, wings, mushrooms, and other distinctive foods, all known for creative menus and enthusiastic crowds. Returning as a nominee for 2026, the National Shrimp Festival strengthens Alabama’s reputation as a top seafood destination and highlights the unique blend of food, music, and coastal culture that defines the event.

The 2026 National Shrimp Festival is set for October 8–11 at 101 Gulf Shores Parkway, operating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Entrance to the grounds remains free, making it an easy fall trip for locals, regional day-trippers, and vacationers alike. During the 10Best voting period, supporters cancast one ballot each day on the awards website to help the festival stay among the top specialty food events in the nation.

Local tourism and business leaders are urging residents, longtime festival fans, and seafood enthusiasts across the country to vote and help keep Gulf Shores’ signature shrimp celebration near the top of the list.