Orange Beach Festival of Art In National Poll: Vote

Ken Cooper • February 9, 2026

Best Art Festival in the USA TODAY 10BEST

Gulf Shores Event News

Orange Beach Festival of Art is back in the national spotlight after being nominated again for Best Art Festival in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. The coastal event earned the title last year and is now aiming to defend its crown in the 2026 voting. City and arts leaders say the repeat nomination highlights both the festival's quality and the strong support it receives from locals and visitors. They are encouraging festival fans to vote daily to help keep Orange Beach at the top.


Over the next four weeks, USA TODAY 10BEST readers can vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, March 2, at 11:59 a.m. EST. The top 10 festivals, as ranked by readers, will be announced on Wednesday, March 11, at noon.


VOTE NOW


The Orange Beach Festival of Art has been a Gulf Coast tradition for more than 50 years, showcasing painters, potters, sculptors, glass artists, and more along the city’s waterfront. The event, hosted by the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, draws artists and visitors from across Alabama and the Southeast each year. Local officials describe the festival as a key piece of the city’s identity and tourism economy.


“Having the Orange Beach Festival of Art earn the title of Best Arts Festival in the nation in 2025 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is a testament to the hard work of Coastal Arts Center Director Desiree Hodge and her dedicated team,” Mayor Tony Kennon said in a recent statement. “It is truly a diamond on our coast.” The new nomination gives the city another chance to shine on a national stage, he added.


This year’s 10BEST contest allows supporters to vote once per day from each device, including phones, tablets, and computers. Organizers in Orange Beach are sharing the voting link on social media and encouraging residents, business owners, and past festival guests to take part.


Readers can cast their votes for the Orange Beach Festival of Art at the USA TODAY 10BEST website. City leaders hope that strong online participation will help bring the Best Art Festival title back to Alabama’s Gulf Coast for a second straight year.


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