Pack your swimsuits and flip-flops, Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores, Alabama is bound to be a hopping, spring music fest with sun, sand, and the nation's hottest contemporary musical artists. Held in May, Hangout Fest includes a crowd of young people gathering together for a musical celebration featuring current top Billboard artists.
Located directly on the beach, festival-goers often don beachwear for three days and revel in activities like beachfront dance parties, s'mores by the campfire, roller skating, yoga, beach volleyball, and spa services. The seven-mile strip of powder soft sand that makes up the festival is also home to plenty of beach fun.
Though there is no onsite camping, attendees will often find a spot for bonfires and road trip inspiration at the Hangout Music Festival. Gulf Shores' welcoming beach vibe, coupled with the inviting warm waters crashing upon Corona Beach make this outdoor music festival a groovy celebration of music, song, and sun.
Tickets come in three tiers: Three-Day General Admission, VIP, and Super VIP. Each tier comes with its own set of perks, from air-conditioned restrooms to private hot tubs and concierge services. General Admission, the lowest tier, has historically hovered between $200-$250. Prices go up from here. Always check the festival's website for current pricing.
A monthly payment plan is available for purchasing tickets in installments. Single day tickets are sometime's available closer to the festival, but this is not a guarantee.
Hangout Fest is geared toward adults. Guests must be 18 or older to attend without supervision. Guests under 18 may attend with a ticket-holding adult over 21. Children who are 5 and under are usually admitted free if accompanied by a ticket holding parent or guardian, but no more than two children per guardian are allowed in the festival.
Gulf Shores, AL, just beyond the tip of Florida's panhandle, is likely best accessed by traveling on I-10. From there, you may follow one or more smaller highways or local roads to reach 101 E. Beach Blvd in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Remember to check local road and weather updates for Southern Alabama, Baldwin County as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the Hangout Fest official website, "parking is almost non-existent." In order to avoid parking frustration, leave your car parked at your campground and hop on the Hangout Fest Shuttle. The shuttle runs all day, all three days of the festival and usually starts mid-morning. Shuttle Passes are available for purchase online. If the shuttle does not stop close enough to your campground, simply drive to the nearest partnered location and hop the shuttle using the "All Ride" Shuttle pass.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, the two beach towns that share the seven-mile stretch of sand, have taxis, shuttle companies, and rideshare services to accommodate the transportation needs of its visitors. In addition, Hangout Fest offers luxury shuttle buses that have stops throughout the Gulf Shores area. Purchase a shuttle pass on the festival website to help get you to and from the site.
There is no camping onsite at the Hangout Music Festival, but you’ll find RV options nearby on the coast of Alabama and Florida.
Within a 15-minute drive, there are multiple RV resorts outfitted for trailers and RVs. Travelers may also appreciate a campsite at Gulf State Park Campground for its proximity to the event. Recreation opportunities at nearby campgrounds range from fishing to private pools and even beachfront access. If you choose to stay at these campgrounds, the Hangout Fest Shuttle may not be far away. Check out the shuttle schedule on the festival's website.
Getting around the festival is best done on foot, or by using the shuttle to take you along the beach. Boaters will want to know that a safety perimeter will be in place along the shore during Hangout Fest and this may prevent a close water approach.
Less is more at Hangout Fest. With temperatures in the 80s during the day, little more than a bathing suit is needed to wander comfortably around the festival. "Festy" attire is also encouraged. Remember to continuously apply sunscreen throughout the day as the sun in the south can be fierce.
Think "beach" when packing your bags. Bring blankets, towels, sunglasses, and a hat to stave off the harsh sun. Stay hydrated by bringing an empty water container, which you can refill at various water stations throughout the festival. Don't forget bug spray and no-see-um spray to fend off unwanted bites from beachside critters.
Security and medical staff are present at Hangout Fest for maximum safety. If you experience any problems, locate a festival staff member, security guard, or police officer. If you need medical assistance, such as in the event of heat stroke or dehydration, a medical tent will be in service to assist you. The festival map will help point you toward these resources, or you can inquire with a staff member or police officer.
Always check with your RV campground for restrictions on open fires and flames for cooking and recreation purposes. In May, Gulf Shores is likely to be hot, so come prepared with food to cool you off, like frozen fruit, hydrating smoothies, or popsicles. Remember to have your RV fridge or freezer cooling to keep yummy treats as you like these at your campsite.
Gulf Shores is a booming tourist attraction due to its beautiful beaches. Guests will find a number of local beach bars and restaurants, as well as chain eateries and grocery stores within a 10 to 15-minute walk of the festival site. Seafood and creative local restaurants dot the streets of this outdoor-friendly community.
Food vendors at the Hangout Music Festival do not disappoint, offering cuisines from around the world. Food truck vendors travel from as far away as Vermont for this epic fest. Expect a diverse offering of food from burgers to dumplings and from Caribbean to Brazilian fare.
Hangout Fest retains zero tolerance for illegal activities. Bags brought within the festival must be clear and are always subject to being checked by security. Guests are expected to follow local and state laws. Local police, as well as the festival’s own security, will be patrolling the grounds for illegal activity and be on alert for theft or other incidents, but guests are responsible for themselves and their possessions.
The month of May along the Gulf is a warm time of year, with highs reaching the mid-80s and lows at night dropping into the mid-60s. However, weather averages have been inching warmer each year, so be prepared for a bit of warmth as well as wet skies. Bring a poncho for unexpected sun showers, and pack ample sunscreen and bug spray for all Gulf Shore conditions. The fun continues rain or shine at the Hangout Music Festival.
Onsite medical staff is provided for festival-goers for all immediate emergencies, like heat stroke or dehydration. The nearest hospital is about a five-minute drive from the coast of Gulf Shores with pharmacy services in the same area. Hangout Fest provides ADA accessible guest services including parking and viewing.
