Join us for the 2026 Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival, an all new show filled with all new lanterns. As night falls, the Gardens glow with more than 40 towering, handcrafted light sculptures that transform the landscape into a vivid world of color and scale. Inspired by traditional Chinese lantern artistry and brought to life with modern design, dazzling plants, animals, and imaginative creatures illuminate every path. Interactive displays invite you to move, play, and step into the experience. Explore the Gardens after dark and discover an unforgettable night of light, energy, and wonder for all ages, with stunning photo moments at every turn.

Friends of the Library Book Sale – May 2–3, 2026! We’re excited to announce that the Friends of the Library Book Sale benefiting the Mobile Public Library is set for May 2–3, 2026 at The Grounds (1035 Cody Road N., Mobile, AL)! Each spring, the Friends of the Mobile Public Library host one of the area’s most anticipated used book sales, featuring thousands and thousands of books and audio-visual materials. All items are generously donated by community members or come from materials withdrawn from the library’s collection.  Book Sale Schedule Friday, May 1 | 3–7 p.m. Private Preview Sale for dues-paying Friends members only.Membership is $40 and can be purchased in advance at mobilepubliclibrary.org/friends or at the door the day of the Preview Sale. Saturday, May 2 | 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Full-Price Book Sale DayOpen to the Public Sunday, May 3 | 1–6 p.m. Half-Price Book Sale DayOpen to the Public  Box Sale Day (if held) will be announced ONLY if enough books remain. This is NOT a guaranteed sale date.  The Friends are seeking volunteers to help with the annual Book Sale! If you are interested, sign up: https://bit.ly/booksale-vol2026  For more information about the Book Sale, visit mobilepubliclibrary.org/friends/book-sale  To learn about the Friends and how to become a member, visit mobilepubliclibrary.org/friends The Friends of the Mobile Public Library is a nonprofit, volunteer organization formed in 1983 and dedicated to supporting the Mobile Public Library in a variety of impactful ways. Mark your calendars, tag your book-loving friends, and come stock up on great books and more all for a great cause!

The 77th Annual Blessing of the Fleet will take place May 2–3, 2026, at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. This event celebrates the local fishing community with boat blessings, food, music, and family activities. Saturday’s festivities include a 5k run, a gumbo cook-off, arts and crafts vendors, kid’s activities, and delicious food from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday features mass with Archbishop Mark Rivituso, a land and boat parade, the Blessing of the Fleet, arts and crafts vendors, kid’s activities, and delicious food from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Columbia Southern University, is in its 22nd year of flying! Join us at OWA Parks & Resort for this exciting fun-filled event! EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC!Thursday & Friday: 4:00 pm - 9:30 pmSaturday: 10:00 - 9:30 pm Foley is your destination for family fun and adventure at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival! Explore daily entertainment, vibrant arts and crafts displays, and much more at the festival site. Admission is FREE—don’t miss this magical experience!

UPDATE: Market in the Park will be moved to the James Seals Community Center on Saturday, May 2 due to the weather forecast.  Shop fresh, local, and handmade items every Saturday from April 25 through June 27 at Market in the Park! Farmers, artisans, and food vendors will offer a variety of seasonal produce, seafood, baked goods, art and more from 7:30 a.m. to noon in Cathedral Square.  We're proud to support our community with a selection of vendors who accept Senior Farmer's Market Nutritional Program (SFMNP) benefits. Plus, there will be live entertainment to enjoy in the park while you shop.

Join us Saturday, May 2nd for a fun filled morning that will include a car show, vendors, concessions, and a softball tournament! All proceeds of the day will support students going to church camp this summer. Want to enter a car or vendor booth? Contact us for registration information!

Friends of the Library Book Sale – May 2–3, 2026! We’re excited to announce that the Friends of the Library Book Sale benefiting the Mobile Public Library is set for May 2–3, 2026 at The Grounds (1035 Cody Road N., Mobile, AL)! Each spring, the Friends of the Mobile Public Library host one of the area’s most anticipated used book sales, featuring thousands and thousands of books and audio-visual materials. All items are generously donated by community members or come from materials withdrawn from the library’s collection.

Join us from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for family friendly activities in the Garden! Build with LEGOs outside, use your five senses to learn about herbs, make a nature craft and explore the garden with a brand new scavenger hunt! First Saturday is included with general admission ($10 adults, $6 youth, free for ages 4 and under) and free for MBG members.

One of Daphne's most beloved celebrations returns this year on Saturday, May 2, 2026! We can't wait to celebrate with everyone! The day will be filled with family fun and nostalgia including: • carousel, ferris wheel, inflatables, and bungees by the bay! • a cast net demonstration at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM from our very own Daphne Fire Department Chief LeAnn Tacon! • crafts and activities for the kids with theDaphne Public Library! • sweet treats from Ice Cream Social serving Cammie's Old Dutch Ice Cream! • BBQ and hot dogs from our Daphne Police Department!

Our community is coming together to celebrate May Day on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. This event will bring us together in a way that harks back to days gone by. Come and join the celebration! The Anna T. Jeanes School was the first African American school in Fairhope. For generations, it served as a gathering place for May Day celebrations. This event epitomized unity, cultural pride, and youth engagement within the community. Hope Community is reviving this cherished tradition to honor our elders and educate the community on its historical significance. The May 2nd celebration will encompass traditional maypole wrapping for the young and the not so young. The festivities will also include field games, face painting, a cake walk, a clown, popcorn, and cotton candy. The Pathway to Peace Choir will provide entertainment from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. A DJ will play all kinds of tunes to encourage foot tapping and line dancing! Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic and their own chairs. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be available on a limited basis. Date: May 2, 2026 Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Rain Date: May 9, 2026) Location: Anna T. Jeanes School property, 6925 Twin Beech Rd, Fairhope, AL

The Tanner Williams Civic & Historical Society hosts the Annual Tanner Williams May Day Festival on the first Saturday of May at Tanner Williams Community Park. Enjoy the traditional May Pole Dance, local vendors, fresh-off-the-grill foods at the concession stand, kids activities, the crowning of the May Day Court and Little Mister & Miss Tanner Williams Pageant, and more! Admission is FREE! Please send us a message if you are interested in adding to our event by being a vendor, volunteering, bringing a vintage car or tractor, providing kids activities, or entering your child in May Queen and King (K5-5th grade)/Little Mr. & Miss Tanner Williams (4 and under)

Join us at our newest location to celebrate Free Comic Book Day! This is our biggest event each year and we cant wait to see you there! Check back here for details on sales we will be having as well as special guest announcements!

We are thrilled to announce that Puppy Palooza 2026 will benefit the Baldwin Humane Society! The Baldwin Humane Society is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that is committed to improving the lives of dogs and pets in need by rescuing, rehabilitation, and finding forever homes for hundreds of abused, abandoned and neglected pets annually.Banfie!Puppy Palooza will include live music, a fido marketplace, doggyHOSPITactivities, pop-up vendors, k9 splash zone, and much more! There is something for the whole family, two legged and four legged alike! You don't want to miss it

City of Satsuma Splash Pad Opening  Join us as we celebrate the opening of the City of Satsuma Splash Pad on Saturday, May 2nd from 12pm-4pm. Bring the kids, invite your friends, and get ready for a fun-filled day in the sun!  A balloon twister will be on site making fun creations for everyone to enjoy!  Satsuma Fire Department will be present with the fire truck along with fire prevention items for the kids  VendorsJens Bay Balloons Holly Jolly Snowcones Shux Y’all Bake Me Away Bakery Co. Frio Pops The Square Cup 

Mark your calendars, Fairhope!  Join us May 2nd from 2–8PM at Founders Park Complex for a fun-filled day the whole family will love!  We’re talking: Inflatable rock climb & obstacle course Inflatable dual axe throwing Velcro sticky wall Gladiator joust arena Movie in the park Dunking booth Food trucks & more Bring your crew, your lawn chairs, and your good vibes this is one you don’t want to miss!!  18795 Founders Dr Everyone is welcome!

A family-friendly, impression, comedy and magic show! Discover the many faces of Brandon Styles in this year-round Variety Show. Impressions from Frank Sinatra to Justin Bieber, with 60 additional impressions in between! Sprinkled with just the right amount of comedy and magic to make this a great entertainment hour for all ages. Brandon Styles LIVE at OWA is a classy show that has something for the whole family! Brandon will awe you during his live performance of nearly 60 different celebrity singing & speaking impressions. To make this show unlike any other in the world, he has incorporated the perfect amount of comedy, magic, dancing, ventriloquism and audience participation in this fast-paced 60 minute show!