{"id":7077670,"date":"2026-10-06T04:00:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T04:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7077670"},"modified":"2026-10-06T04:00:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T04:00:23","slug":"8-fantastic-things-to-do-on-us-gulf-coast-in-may-2026-mccool-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7077670","title":{"rendered":"8 Fantastic Things To Do on US Gulf Coast in May 2026 \u2022 McCool Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

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From the hundreds of things to do on US Gulf Coast in May 2026 I narrowed my suggestions down to the following eight fun and tasty events. Cool, happy, and fun events that you expect to find on the Gulf Coast.<\/p>\n

The month of May on the Gulf Coast means Spring Break is over but true summer has not yet begun. Until Memorial Day weekend at least. See my favorite Gulf Coast Spring Break Destinations<\/a>\u00a0and, to skip the crowds,\u00a0Florida Hidden Gems<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Happy Mother\u2019s Day to all US Gulf Coast moms. They are the best in the world!<\/p>\n

Enjoy these Fun Things To Do on US Gulf Coast in May<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

McCool Travel note<\/strong><\/em>: the first weekend of May kicks off with the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz Fest, which was covered in April events on the US Gulf Coast<\/a> but also below.<\/p>\n

54th Annual New Orleans Jazz Fest, April 23 \u2013 May 3, 2026<\/h2>\n

The 2026 edition of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival<\/em> hosts 400,000 guests from around the world over two weekends. Thousands of musicians, craft artisans, cooks and chefs, and volunteers entertain, support, sell crafts, and feed the souls of attendees.<\/p>\n

2026 New Orleans Jazz Fest performers for the May weekend include The Black Keys, Ziggy Marley, Alabama Shakes, T-Pain, Earth Wind & Fire, Trombone Shorty, and so many more amazing musical acts. New Orleans is always a favorite place for music lovers<\/a> but especially during Jazz Fest!<\/p>\n

Visit the fest website<\/a> for more information and my recommended New Orleans day trips<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"live
see live jazz in New Orleans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, Foley AL, April 30 \u2013 May 2, 2026<\/h2>\n

South Baldwin County is the spot for high-flying adventure and family fun at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival<\/em>. Enjoy entertainment, arts and crafts displays and more at the festival site at OWA Parks & Resort in Foley, South Baldwin County. Balloon flights, glows and tethered rides (weather permitting) add to the fun at dawn and dusk.<\/p>\n

Visit the festival website<\/a> for more information and\u00a0Gulf Shores Tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n

29th Annual Blessing of the Fleet, Panama City FL, May 2, 2026<\/h2>\n

Spring Break is over but Panama City locals celebrate the official start of the warmer weather with the Blessing of the Fleet<\/em>. While the highlight is the noon boat parade with everyone wishing safe passage for the boaters and vessels, other events are a lot of fun. Listen to live music while joining the Burning of the Socks (you will not need to wear socks again for six months) and $15 a plate fish fry.<\/p>\n

Visit the event website<\/a> for more information and my suggested Secret Spots on Florida Panhandle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mud Bug Boil-Off, Thibodaux LA, May 9, 2026<\/h2>\n

\"Crawfish<\/p>\n

Any all-you-can-eat crawfish event will score high on my list. Join the fun family friendly Mud Bug Boil-Off<\/em> in historic downtown Thibodaux. Enjoy live music, a live auction, festival funness, and all the scrumptious crawfish you can possibly handle.<\/p>\n

Visit the event we<\/a>bsite<\/a> for more information and see Day Trips From New Orleans<\/a><\/p>\n

Emerald Coast Open, Destin FL, May 15 \u2013 17, 2026<\/h2>\n

Over 20,000 invasive lionfish are expected to be removed from the Gulf waters during the Emerald Coast Open<\/em>. Hundreds of tournament participants vie for prizes by removing the most lionfish\u2014by diving or fishing. Local Destin restaurants serve creative lionfish dishes during Lionfish Restaurant Week (2026 dates TBA).<\/p>\n

And the official Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament and Festival takes place May 15 \u2013 17, and raises awareness about the harmful impact of the invasive lionfish.<\/p>\n

Visit the event website<\/a> for more information and check out my favorite Destin Florida Rentals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"emerald
emerald green ocean water on Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

World\u2019s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande FL, May 13 \u2013 14, 2026<\/h2>\n

The World\u2019s Richest Tarpon Tournament<\/em>\u00a0begun in the early 80s in Boca Grande, the Tarpon Capital of the World. It started as a weight tournament but has evolved into an all-release event focused on Conservation, Sportsmanship, and Education. It is traditional live-bait only, honoring the history of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass and focusing on the importance of conservation to ensure a healthy fishery for generations to come.<\/p>\n

Visit the tournament website<\/a> for more information and tips for\u00a0what to do in Punta Gorda<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pirate Day in the Bay, Bay St Louis MS, May 15 \u2013 16, 2026<\/h2>\n

Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse hosts all pirates and pirate lovers for a jolly good fest at the Pirate Day in the Bay<\/em>. A Bay St Louis pub crawl kicks off the event on Friday night, followed by a full slate of parades, cruises, and buccaneer funness the next day.<\/p>\n

Visit the event website<\/a> for more information and favorite Mississippi Gulf Coast Hidden Gems<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Bay
Bay St Louis Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Memorial Day Fireworks, South Padre Island TX, May 24, 2026<\/h2>\n

Celebrate Memorial Day weekend on South Padre Island! Enjoy the summer kick of fireworks extravaganza over the bay on Sunday night. For the best viewing spots checkout the restaurants and bars on the Entertainment District!<\/p>\n

Visit the event web<\/a>site<\/a> for more information and favorite\u00a0South Padre Island Restaurants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course many other US Gulf Coast destinations will also host fireworks events over the Memorial Day weekend. Do you have a favorite US Gulf Coast destination for fireworks? Let me know<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n<\/figure>\n

See also June Gulf Coast events<\/a> and April Gulf Coast events<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From the hundreds of things to do on US Gulf Coast in May 2026 I narrowed my suggestions down to the following eight fun and tasty events. Cool, happy, and fun events that you expect to find on the Gulf Coast. 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