The cities of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley have announced their schedules for the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2025. The cities will close non-essential offices, adjust certain public services, and provide updates on events and operations to ensure residents and visitors are informed of changes.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Mobile, Alabama, on January 1, 1959, delivering a speech at the International Longshoreman's Association Hall. This event marked his only known speaking engagement in the city. The hall, built in 1949 in the Art Moderne style, became a significant gathering place during the Civil Rights Movement. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 27, 2011.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

City Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

City of Gulf Shores

Please take note of the following City closures in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

• Emergency Services: Police, fire, and other emergency services will remain open to ensure public safety and health.
• Administrative Offices: City administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 20. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday January 21.
• City Council Work Session Meeting: The regularly scheduled City Council Work Session (Committee of the Whole) meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
• Garbage and Recycling Pickup: Republic Services Garbage and Recycling Services will run as scheduled. Yard debris/bulky pickup will run as scheduled.
• City Store: The Gulf Shores City Store will be closed Monday, January 20, and will resume regular operations on Tuesday, January 21.
• Gulf Shores Public Library and Gulf Shores Museum: The Thomas B. Norton Public Library and the Gulf Shores Museum will be closed on Monday, January 20. Regular operations for the library and museum will resume on Tuesday, January 21.
• Bodenhamer Recreation Center: The Bodenhamer Recreation Center will be open on January 20 from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tennis Center: The George C. Meyer Tennis Center will be closed on January 20. Courts will be open and available for public use. Regular operation hours will resume on Tuesday, January 21.
• Cultural Center: The Cultural Center will be closed on January 20. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, January 21.
• Pickleball Courts: The Pickleball Courts located at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex (19025 Oak Road West) will remain open and available for play.

City of Orange Beach

Non-essential City of Orange Beach offices will be closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21st. Trash and recycling routes will run on normal schedules and will not be affected.

City of Foley

Foley city offices will be closed on Monday, January 20th. The Foley Public Library will also be closed Monday.

The two city museums, the Holmes Medical Museum and Foley Depot Railroad Museum

will be open Monday during regular hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Foley City Council meeting, which is usually held on the first and third Monday of each

month, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 21st.

Recyclable materials will not be collected on Monday, Jan. 20. Collections will resume

Tuesday, Jan. 21. Pick-ups scheduled for the remainder of the week will not be affected.

The collection of limbs and yard debris will resume Tuesday as well. 

Residents are asked to be patient if routes are delayed until crews can catch up with collection.

All offices will reopen at the usual time on Tuesday, January 21st.