There are two kinds of Fourth of July celebrations.

The kind where somebody grills burgers in the backyard and calls it a day.

And the kind where you’re watching fireworks over the water with sandy feet, a snow cone in one hand, and absolutely no idea what time it is.

Around the Alabama Gulf Coast, we’re proud to offer the latter option.

The Fourth of July is one of the biggest weeks of the year on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and for good reason. Between fireworks shows, beach days, live music, family activities, and enough red, white, and blue to decorate a small nation, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate.

And this year feels even more special than usual. As America celebrates its 250th birthday, communities across the Gulf Coast are pulling out all the stops to mark this historic milestone. We’d say that’s a perfectly good excuse to add a little more sparkle to the fireworks and a few more stars and stripes to the shoreline.

So if you’re considering spending Independence Day on the coast, here are a few ways to make the most of it.

And if you’re not, there’s still time to rethink your plans!

Stars, Stripes & Sky Shows

Let’s start with the obvious.

Fireworks and the Gulf Coast go together like beach chairs and sunscreen.

One of the biggest Fourth of July traditions on the Alabama Gulf Coast is the City of Gulf Shores Independence Day Celebration at the Gulf State Park Fishing & Education Pier. At 9 p.m. on July 4, fireworks light up the Gulf and create one of the most spectacular over-the-water displays of the summer.

Over in Orange Beach, the Wharf Independence Day Street Party turns the holiday into an all-evening celebration. Beginning at 5 p.m. on July 4, families can enjoy live music, activities, shopping, dining, and waterfront entertainment before the fireworks begin.

And if you’re staying near the Florida line, don’t overlook the Flora-Bama 4th of July Party. Live music, beach views, and a fireworks display over Perdido Key make it one of the Gulf Coast’s most iconic holiday celebrations.

If you’re staying in Fort Morgan, there’s a decent chance the fireworks come to you. Find a spot on the beach, settle into your chair, and you’ll likely catch multiple fireworks displays without ever getting in the car.

Not a bad seat in the house, if you ask us.

Sunshine, Surf, & Summer Traditions

Of course, the Fourth of July isn’t just about what happens after dark.

It’s also one of the best beach weekends of the entire summer.

Expect the beaches of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan to be filled with everything that makes a Fourth of July beach day great. Families settling in for the day, kids splashing in the surf, and plenty of red, white, and blue mixed in with the beach umbrellas.

For those who like to start the holiday with a little movement before settling into beach mode, The Wharf’s annual Shark Run 5K returns on the morning of July 4, giving runners a chance to earn their beach chair for the day.

The rest of us will probably be focused on sunscreen application and snack management. And honestly, there’s no shame in that.

Before you know it, one swim turns into five, lunch turns into an afternoon on the beach, and you’re brushing sand off your legs while deciding where to watch fireworks that night.

That’s the magic of a Gulf Coast Fourth of July.

Red, White & Relaxed

One of the best things about spending the Fourth on the Alabama Gulf Coast is that every area celebrates a little differently.

In Fort Morgan, many visitors head to The Beach Club for a holiday pool party and a 9 p.m. fireworks show. Meanwhile, Fairhope and Pensacola offer charming waterfront celebrations and easy day-trip opportunities beyond the beach.

And if you’re extending your vacation through the weekend, OWA Parks & Resort keeps the festivities going with live entertainment and a July 5 fireworks show.

Of course, some of the best Fourth of July memories don’t happen at organized events at all. They’re the ice cream runs after fireworks, late-night card games at the condo, and family photos that take seventeen attempts to get everybody looking in the same direction.

Those are the moments that tend to stick.

One Last Sparkler

The best Fourth of July celebrations are about spending time together and making the most of summer while it’s here.

And for our quick-scan BEACHBALLERS, here’s the Breakdown:

• The Gulf State Park Pier, The Wharf, Flora-Bama, and The Beach Club offer some of the Gulf Coast’s best fireworks views
• The Shark Run 5K, beach days, and waterfront celebrations help fill the holiday weekend

And when the fireworks fade and the beach chairs finally get folded up, having the right place to come back to makes all the difference.

A stay with BEACHBALL PROPERTIES gives you the perfect home base for beach days, fireworks nights, and the kind of family memories that become annual traditions.

Because America’s 250th birthday deserves a pretty spectacular backdrop.

Come Have A Ball At The Beach!

– Ginger & Hunter Harrelson