I looked at hundreds—perhaps thousands—of things to do on US Gulf Coast in April 2024. Then I narrowed my suggestions down to the following nine events. Cool, happy, and fun events that you expect to find on the Gulf Coast.
April on the Gulf Coast means the weather is perfect and Spring Break is in full swing—everywhere! See my Favorite US Gulf Coast Spring Break Destinations and, to skip the crowds, secret Florida Panhandle spots.
Enjoy Fun Things To Do on US Gulf Coast in April.
Looking for May events? See Things To Do on US Gulf Coast in May.
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, Clearwater Beach FL, March 29 – April 14, 2024
The 17-day Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival celebrates the amazing sugar sand and sunsets of Tampa Bay. Enjoy free live music, fireworks, kid’s play zones, and sand sculpting classes. And make sure to see all of the magnificent sand sculptures from artists from all over the world.
The theme of the 2024 Sugar Sand Festival is “Sands of Time.”
Visit the festival website for more information and our nearby favorite Florida waterfront restaurants.
26th Annual Sarasota Film Festival, April 5-14, 2024
Sarasota Film Festival celebrates its 26th anniversary in 2024. As always, enjoy more than 200 films from around the world including features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks.
Visit the festival website for more information and our tips for Sarasota Things to Do.
Conch Republic Independence Celebration, Key West, April 19-28, 2024
Join the Sovereign State of Mind set for the 2024 Conch Republic Independence Celebration—the 42nd anniversary of Fun-dependence. No passport needed. Just good vibes! Participate in beach cleanup, bar crawl, drag race, and the conch shell salute and pledge of allegiance at the independence ceremony.
Visit the event website for more information and our Key West Tips.
Galveston Island FeatherFest, April 18-21, 2024
Join happy outdoor enthusiasts, phenomenal photographers, and avid birders for the 22nd Anniversary Galveston Island FeatherFest Birding and Nature Photography Festival. More than 200 species of birds migrate back to US and Canada after spending the winter in Central and South America, and Galveston Island is the prime spot to see them.
Visit the fest website for more information and our Texas Gulf Coast Kayaking Trails.
Interstate Mullet Toss, Pensacola Beach FL and Gulf Shores AL, April 26-28, 2024
Also called the Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party, the annual Flora-Bama Mullet Toss is a legendary annual event at USA’s most famous beach bar. Contestants toss a dead mullet (local fish) from a 10 foot circle on the Florida side into Alabama. Contestants pay $15 to toss a mullet and receive an event t-shirt. Winners receive prizes. Everyone has a great time. Mullet Toss proceeds benefit local charities.
Visit the event website for more information and our suggested Things to Do in Gulf Shores and other Fun Gulf Coast Bars and Best Florida Panhandle Beaches.
Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, Naples FL, April 13-20, 2024
The Minto US Open Pickleball Championships is the largest pickleball tournament in the world and also the biggest pickleball party in the world. East Naples Community Park has 64 pickleball courts to host all the players, guests, visitors, and fans. Before the competitive juices get flowing, there are Kids Day and Margaritaville Party in the Park events. But of course most people attend to become or see the next pickleball champ.
Visit the event website for more information and our favorite Places To Eat in Naples Florida.
Crawfish Music Festival, Biloxi MS, April 19-21, 2024
Enjoy tons of crawfish, amazing live music, carnival rides, and more funness at the 31st annual Crawfish Music Festival in Biloxi. Set between the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and the gorgeous Mississippi shoreline, the fest promises fun, excitement, and a little something new.
Visit the festival website for more information and our favorite Biloxi things to do.
McCool Travel note: alternatively, try the All You Can Eat Crawfish Cook-Off in Slidell LA (Louisiana Northshore) on April 20, 2024.
53rd Annual New Orleans Jazz Fest, April 25-May 5, 2024
The 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will host 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.
2024 New Orleans Jazz Fest performers include The Rolling Stones, Heart, Foo Fighters, Jon Batiste, Queen Latifah, Bonnie Raitt, Earth Wind & Fire, The Beach Boys, and so many more amazing musical acts.
Visit the fest website for more information and our recommended Day Trips From New Orleans.
McCool Travel note: to warm up for New Orleans Jazz Fest, visit the 25th Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach April 24-28, 2024.
Please let me know of other happy, fun, and cool things to do on US Gulf Coast in April. Or any month!
See also March Gulf Coast events and May Gulf Coast events.