Dauphin Island Events

Annual Events – Summer

• Sunset Celebrations – Enjoy the Summer with the monthly Sunday Sunset Concerts held at Fort Gaines beginning May through Labor Day and a special bonus performance in October. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 12 and under. Doors open 90 minutes prior to sunset. Additional information can be found at the Town of Dauphin Island website.
  • 2025 Schedule:
    • May 25, 2025- Justin Touchette and the Way
    • June 29, 2025 – The Modern Eldorados
    • July 27, 2025 – Symone French and the Trouille Troupe
    • August 31, 2025 – Rebecca Barry and Bust
    • October 13, 2024 – Roman Street, 4:30-6:30pm
• Free Family Outdoor Movie Nights – Summer seasonal movie series showcasing family friendly movies on an outdoor screen at the Town East End Beach. East Beach is located at the eastern terminus of Bienville Blvd, just past Fort Gaines. Spread out your beach blanket and stretch out under the stars for movies on a giant blow up screen. Weather permitting, no pets, grilling or glass allowed.
  • 2025 Movie Schedule
    • May 22 – Madagascar
    • May 23 – Luca
    • May 29 – The Secret Life of Pets
    • May 30 – Toy Story
    • June 5 – The Incredibles
    • June 6 – Frozen
    • June 12 – How to Train a Dragon
    • June 13 – Night at the Museum
    • June 19 – Tangled
    • June 20 – Cars
    • June 26 – Despicable Me
    • June 27 – Princess and the Frog
    • July 3 – JAWS
    • July 5 – JAWS
    • July 10 – Lilo and Stitch
    • July 11 – The Little Mermaid
    • July 24 – Shark Tale
    • July 25 – Finding Nemo
    • July 31 – Moana
    • August 1 – Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
    • August 7 – Dr. Dolittle
    • August 8 – Yes Day
• 4th of July Celebrations – The Town of Dauphin Island sponsors an annual firework display that can be seen along the Island’s Gulf Beach. The Fireworks show starts at 9pm. Please remember that Town Ordinance prohibits the use of personal fireworks on Dauphin Island and no fireworks are allowed at any Boardwalk Realty rental property. Weather dependent.
• Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo July 18-20, 2025. Taking place the 3rd weekend of July each year, the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is the World’s Largest Fishing Tournament with over 3,200 anglers. View the catch as the angler’s compete for the largest fish in each category. A part of Island tradition since 1929, the ADSF Rodeo kicks off with a Liar’s Contest on Thursday evening, and a blast of the cannon starts the competition Friday at dawn. Marine Biologists from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab study and display the catch as it rolls in throughout the weekend at the Rodeo site located on LeMoyne Drive, providing important data for Gulf Coast fisheries systems.
  • 2025 Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Concert Schedule (Free Admission)
    • Thursday July 17 – tbd
    • Friday July 18 – tbd
    • Saturday July 19 – tbd
    • Sunday July 21 – tbd

 Annual Events – Spring

• 2026 dates will be posted when available:
• Kite Day! – the kites will be flying at the East End Beach just past Fort Gaines. Emerald Coast Kite Flyers and the Mississippi/Gulf Coast Quad Line Flyers will be on hand with unique and amazing kites. See their demonstration at 11am and then send your own kites soaring afterwards, competition starts at noon with prizes for best homemade kite, highest flying kite, most unique and more!
• 2026 Easter Eggs Hunts – Join the Easter Bunny and take part in the fun at 10am at Green Park and from 10am to noon at Cadillac Square! The Easter Bunny will be on site for pictures at both of these fun events.
• Easter Sunrise Service at Fort Gaines – Join us for the annual community Easter Sunrise Service and worship with all the Island Churches as the sun rises over the walls of Fort Gaines. Sunday April 5, 2026.
• Discovery Day at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab – 10am-2pm at 101 Bienville Blvd. Visitors can learn about current scientific research, explore real scientific laboratories, engage in hands-on science lessons and tour the Alabama Aquarium free for kids with reduced pricing for adults.
• Bird Banding – It’s Spring Migration time on Dauphin Island. Banding sessions will take place at the Goat Tree Reserve at the corner of Cadillac and Grant Streets from 8am-2pm. Park at nearby Cadillac Square please, 661 Bienville Blvd. Come see and learn about the migratory birds that stopover every spring on the Island!
• Spring POPS Concert – Enjoy this free spring concert by the Mobile Symphonic Pops at Water Tower Plaza on date to be announced.
• Annual Motorcycle Show – Features a variety of motorcycles for enthusiasts of all ages at Green Park. Enjoy viewing vintage classics plus live music, food trucks and more.
• Thunder on the Bay – Observe the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay at Historic Fort Gaines. Cannon firings throughout the day, soldiers in period garb and mock battles. Ages 13 and up $10, Ages 5-12 $5 and children 4 and under are FREE.
• St. Francis Arts & Crafts Festival – The longest running art event on the Island, see the arts and crafts of over 50 local and regional artists. Enjoy fine food and lots of fun that takes over the grounds of St. Francis Church on Key Street, 2026 date tbd.

 Annual Events – Fall

• Fort Gaines Living History Events – Fort Gaines hosts re-enactors throughout the year and every fall Island visitors can enjoy the annual October Renaissance Festival. Check out the schedule on the Town of Dauphin Island’s Event Calendar
• Trick or Treat at Green Park – Join the little ghouls and goblins on Halloween as they trick or treat at this Town sponsored community event held annually at Green Park.
• Hurricane Run – Annual 5k race takes place on the Island every September and is sponsored by the Port City Pacers. 

Annual Events – Winter

• 2026 Dates will be posted when available:
• Coastal Christmas – Enjoy the Holidays with sandmen not snowmen! Join us for the annual Christmas Parade in December as Santa touches down on the Island. Enjoy all the Lights of Dauphin Island activities taking place throughout the month.
  • Dates to be determined for 2026:
  • DI Art Gallery Christmas Open House.
  • Miss DI Christmas Pageant, 7pm at the DI Community Center.
  • Christmas Market in the Park at Green Park
  • Christmas Parade, 11am
  • Lights of Dauphin Island Christmas Tree Lighting – the community trees are lit at Water Tower Plaza at 5:30pm.
  • Movie Night at the Community Center – Polar Express
  • Lights of DI Dash – fun run/walk at Water Tower Plaza, 10:30-11:30am.
  • Boat Parade sets sail at 5pm from the ferry landing on the east end to the Dauphin Island Marina.
• Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens – Located just 20 minutes from the Island, stroll through the world famous Bellingrath Gardens. In this Gulf Coast holiday tradition, guests journey through a dazzling light display that features more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. In addition, the Bellingrath Home is decorated in its holiday finery and enhanced with beautiful poinsettias. Magic Christmas in Lights begins just after Thanksgiving and runs just past New Year, closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• Mardi Gras Island Style – The Dauphin Island parades kick off carnival each year with parades taking place the first two Saturdays of the Mardi Gras season (about one month prior to Fat Tuesday).
  • The Krewe de la Dauphin parades the Island Saturday, 2026 date to be determined, parade rolls at 1pm from Fort Gaines to Dauphin Island Elementary.
  • The Peoples Parade the rolls the following Saturday 2026 date to be determined, parade rolls at 1pm from Fort Gaines to Dauphin Island Elementary.
  • The Krewe of Salty Paws (pet parade) is at 10am Saturday, 2026 date to be determined.
  • Massacre Island Secret Society, 2026 date to be determined.
• Battle of Mobile Bay 5K Run – Sponsored by the Port City Pacers this annual 5K takes place every February. The 2026 date to be determined.