Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » Alabama’s Iconic Music Festival, Hangout Fest, Canceled for 2026: What This Means for Gulf Shores Tourism- Know More New Information Published on
December 9, 2025Gulf Shores, Alabama, is facing a significant shift in its annual tourism events, as two major music festivals—the Hangout Music Festival and the Sand in My Boots festival—have both been canceled for 2026. This decision was announced by the city’s mayor on December 8, 2025, and is set to have a ripple effect on local tourism and the economy. Although the Hangout Music Festival will not take place in 2026, plans are already in motion for its return in 2027. The cancellation of these events marks a significant pivot for Gulf Shores, which has relied on music festivals like these to attract thousands of visitors each year.The Hangout Music Festival and Its Influence on Gulf Shores TourismThe Hangout Music Festival has been a cornerstone of Gulf Shores’ tourism scene since its inception in 2010. Known for its eclectic lineup, featuring a mix of pop, rock, and electronic music, the festival has become synonymous with young, diverse audiences and the lively beach atmosphere that the region is famous for. The festival brought in tourists from across the United States and internationally, with many attendees choosing to stay in the local hotels, dine in Gulf Shores’ restaurants, and enjoy other local attractions.Advertisement The event became a major economic driver, with its visitors significantly impacting the hospitality, retail, and service industries in the region. The festival not only boosted hotel bookings but also encouraged other businesses to capitalize on the influx of visitors. Local shops, bars, and restaurants saw significant increases in sales during the festival weekends, helping to sustain the local economy during the off-peak seasons.Despite this, the future of the Hangout Music Festival now appears uncertain for 2026. Mayor Robert Craft announced that the festival would not occur in 2026, citing the challenges of approving a new franchise agreement for the event. The announcement was made towards the end of a city council meeting, signaling that the timeline for approval had become too tight to ensure a successful festival with the caliber of acts that Gulf Shores typically attracts.AdvertisementSand in My Boots: The Shift in Music Festival DirectionThe 2025 iteration of the Hangout Music Festival took a surprising turn, rebranding as Sand in My Boots and pivoting to a more country-focused lineup. Headlined by country megastar Morgan Wallen, the event was a huge success, selling out its 40,000 tickets almost instantly. This marked a departure from the typical pop-oriented lineup of previous years, and the change was not without controversy.While some embraced the new country- …
