As summer breezes transition to cooler temperatures this fall, the Gulf Coast becomes even more alluring. Beach vacations are still on the table here through October, but peak summer crowds have passed. Visitors can take advantage of a slew of unique events celebrating local culture, seafood, and more from Texas to Mississippi during the fall season. If you’re headed to the region to enjoy continued summer-like weather, be sure to add some of these great events and activities to your itinerary.
Indulge in the best local seafood
Galveston Island Shrimp Festival – September 22-23, 2023. Prepare to indulge in a seafood lover’s paradise at the Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival in Texas. Hosted by Yaga’s Entertainment Inc., this festival will be held at the vibrant Saengerfest Park downtown. Savor the finest shrimp gumbo the Gulf Coast has to offer while participating in a seafood cook-off, gumbo tasting, L’il Shrimps Parade, and live music. Bring the whole family to enjoy a children’s area and a Strand merchant walkabout.Biloxi Seafood Festival – September 9, 2023. Travelers looking to purchase their big catch and have fun at the same time can partake in the Annual Biloxi Seafood Festival in Mississippi. This annual event is a celebration of seafood heritage in the City of Biloxi. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts, and kids activities.Gulf Coast Shrimp Tasting Festival – October 14. Also in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Gulf Coast Shrimp Tasting Festival will feature “Wild Caught” gulf shrimp dishes from local restaurants and caterers.
Sample more cuisine at food and cultural festivals
Galveston Island by Vashti Collins – Unsplash
Taste of Long Beach – September 28, 2023. Travelers can enjoy local food and drinks from various eateries, as well as live music and more, at the 14th Annual Taste of Long Beach in Mississippi.Galveston Greek Festival – October 14-15, 2023. Get ready for two days of Opa! and YaSou! at the Galveston Greek Festival in Texas. Immerse yourself in authentic Greek cuisine, wines, beer, live music, dancing, children’s activities, and tours of the Church. Discover unique gifts from Greece, including icons, jewelry, ornaments, and more. Imported grocery items will also be available for purchase. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Greek culture and cuisine.Island Oktoberfest – October 27-28, 2023. Experience the essence of German heritage at Island Oktoberfest in Galveston, Texas. Join the festivities at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Galveston for a weekend filled with traditional food, drinks, live performances, games, and activities. Come dressed in your finest German costumes and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Admission is free, so bring your friends and family to partake in the celebration.
Get crafty at seaside art events
Mississippi Songwriters’ Festival – September 21-24, 2023. Next month, the 14th Annual Mississippi Songwriters’ Festival kicks off with over 125 songwriters in over ten venues from Ocean Springs to Gautier in Jackson County.ARToberFEST – October 21-22, 2023. Art enthusiasts will find their haven at ARToberFEST, a juried fine art festival featuring diverse artists, food, and live music on Postoffice Street. Amid Galveston’s Victorian architecture, art galleries, and shops, this event promises a captivating experience. Even if you can’t attend in person, you can still enjoy the festival virtually. Proceeds from ARToberFEST benefit The Grand 1894 Opera House’s education and community outreach programs.Mermaid Arts & Crafts Show – November 11-12, 2023. The Mermaids Arts & Crafts Show takes place from on the grounds of the Historic Train Depot in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. This unique art event boasts vendors from across the region.
Gear up for car shows
Cars in Biloxi, Mississippi by Anna Breaux – Unsplash
Lone Star Rally – November 2-5, 2023. Rev up your engines for the Lone Star Rally, a thrilling event packed with entertainment for all ages in Galveston, Texas. From juried bike shows and car displays to free concerts on two stages, this year’s rally guarantees non-stop excitement. With over 40 free musical performances ranging from classic rock to country, attendees are in for an unforgettable experience. Join the festivities at Saengerfest Park and Beach Central Park.Cruisin’ the Coast – October 1-8, 2023. The Annual Cruisin’ the Coast, takes place with stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This highly anticipated event features thousands of classic cars lining Highway 90 for an entire week of rock ‘n’ roll, sock hops, swap meets, and live music.
Head out for an adventure on the water
The bayou in Mississippi by JP Valery – Unsplash
In Biloxi, Coastal Waters Outfitters offers inshore, offshore, and rig fishing with Capt. Kyle leading the way. From sitting back and learning the ropes to reeling in lines and targeting specific trophy fish – Coastal Waters Outfitters is ready to create a perfect day on the water.In Pass Christian, Mississippi, Southern Comfort Fishing Charters offers six available boats, seven days a week, ready to customize and meet the needs of every fishing-enthusiast. Their trips specialize in inshore light tackle fishing throughout the Mississippi Sound and Louisiana Marsh areas. Travelers can expect to find speckled trout, redfish, flounder, triple tail, and black drum during their excursion.In Long Beach, Mississippi, travelers can explore the Wolf River with Wolf River Canoe & Kayak, where white sand beaches, winding waterways and more await – a perfect playground for amateur to experienced kayakers alike. At Wolf River, guests can choose from a 4.5-mile, 10.6-mile, and Full Moon 4.5-mile paddle.Near Gulfport, travelers can embark on a journey with Round River Kayak Adventures and explore various Coastal Mississippi waterways on a two-hour sunset tour or four to six hour trips, including all fishing equipment & tackle needed to fish till your heart’s content.In Pascagoula, travelers can explore the largest free-flowing water in the lower 48 states on a 10-mile paddling excursion through the Pascagoula River Blueway with the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.On September 23 in Diamondhead, Mississippi, travelers can attend Paddle Paradise, an event to promote kayak launches and the Rotten Bayou Blueway. Paddle Paradise will have free goodie bags ready for the first 150 guests. Registration opens at 8am, and the 4-mile “fun” paddle begins at 9am.
This article was originally published by Budgettravel.com. Read the original article here.