Seasonal & Holiday Trips
Winter in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach: A Snowbird and Big-Group Guide (2027 Season)
By Avara Stays · Updated October 30, 2026
Winter on Alabama’s beaches is calm, mild and social. It is quieter than summer on the trails and the fishing pier, and the snowbird season fills January and February with free talks, club socials and Mardi Gras parades. This guide covers what we could confirm for the 2027 season and how a family or a group of friends, from 10 guests up to 37 across two homes, can settle in for a winter stay.
Winter weather, in plain terms
NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Pensacola Regional Airport, the nearest major weather station to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach (about 35 miles east), give these averages:
| Month | Average high | Average low | Average rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 65.1°F | 45.9°F | 5.40 in |
| January | 62.7°F | 43.7°F | 5.03 in |
| February | 66.4°F | 47.2°F | 4.77 in |
| March | 72.0°F | 52.7°F | 5.25 in |
That is sweater weather in the evening and walking, biking and fishing weather by day. Pack layers and rain gear, and ask us to heat the duplex’s beachside pool, which we do on request at no extra charge.
The 2027 snowbird season at a glance
These are the winter dates we could confirm on official pages on October 30, 2026. Where a date is not final, we say so.
| When | What and where | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 11 – Feb 19, 2027 | Winter Showcase Series: free talks at 10:30 AM on weekdays at the Learning Campus, Gulf State Park | Confirmed for 2027 (topics not yet posted) |
| Sat, Jan 23, 2027 | Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade, the 47th roll | Date not final (proposed date in a city council item) |
| Sat, Feb 6, 2027 | Mystics of Pleasure parade, 6 PM, Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach | Confirmed for 2027 |
| Mon, Feb 8, 2027 | Moon Pies on Main at The Wharf: Kid and Pet Parade at 4 PM, float parade at 6 PM | Confirmed for 2027 |
| Tue, Feb 9, 2027 | Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade, 2 PM on Fat Tuesday, free | Confirmed for 2027 |
| 2027 | Snowbird Fest trade show and expo | Date not final (postponed to 2027; no date or venue yet) |
Status as of October 30, 2026. Events, hours and prices change; confirm with each organizer before you go.
Settling in: snowbird clubs, talks and classes
The Winter Showcase Series
Every winter the tourism board runs the free Winter Showcase Series at the Learning Campus in Gulf State Park, behind the park headquarters at 20115 State Park Road. The talks cover local history, nature, wildlife, the arts and local authors, start at 10:30 AM and last about an hour. The 2027 series runs from January 11 to February 19, 2027; the schedule had not been released when we checked, so watch the page for topics and registration.
State snowbird clubs
The tourism board lists snowbird clubs for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. It says the clubs meet regularly during the season for potlucks, happy hours, golf and local outings, and that they welcome newcomers. Its guide to meeting other snowbirds also mentions the Snowbird Trivia Night held by the South Baldwin Literacy Council at the Orange Beach Event Center in February, a monthly snowbird book club at the Orange Beach Public Library and Senior Activity Center, and winter cooking classes at Cosmo’s and Cobalt. Dates are posted closer to the season.
Drop-in classes at the Orange Beach Senior Center
The City of Orange Beach says many of the Senior Center’s weekly activities are drop-in: party bridge, hand and foot canasta, American mah jongg and Mexican train dominoes, plus fitness classes such as yoga and Sit and Be Fit at $5 a class, and monthly arts and crafts projects. Special events need registration through the city.
Mardi Gras on the beach
Mardi Gras is the high point of the winter. The City of Orange Beach lists three events for 2027 on its Mardi Gras page: the Mystics of Pleasure parade at 6 PM on Saturday, February 6, running west to east on Perdido Beach Boulevard from near Phoenix West to the Highway 161 intersection; The Wharf’s Moon Pies on Main on Monday, February 8, with a Kid and Pet Parade at 4 PM and a float parade at 6 PM; and the Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade at 2 PM on Fat Tuesday, February 9. The city closes Perdido Beach Boulevard along the route during both beach-road parades, so plan to walk or arrive early.
That route matters if you stay at Oasis Unit 2201, which sits on Perdido Beach Boulevard at The Oasis at Orange Beach (formerly Phoenix West II), near the start of the parade route. Check the city’s route map before you head out or drive anywhere on parade days.
In Gulf Shores, a City of Gulf Shores council item proposes Saturday, January 23, 2027, for the 47th Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade, the first Mardi Gras parade in Baldwin County, now organized with the Pleasure Island Revelers krewe. The date is a proposal, so confirm it before you plan around it. For the many parades in Mobile from late January, see the tourism board’s Mardi Gras schedule.
Outdoors in the cool months
Walk or bike the Backcountry Trail
Alabama State Parks describes the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail as a 28-plus-mile paved trail system through Gulf State Park’s 6,150 acres, open dawn to dusk every day, multi-use and ADA-accessible, with trailheads around the park. Gulf Oak Ridge (3.0 miles, paved) runs under live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and the Gopher Tortoise Trail (1.5 miles, paved) follows the edge of Lake Shelby. The park’s activities calendar lists naturalist programs at the Nature Center and Learning Campus through the winter.
Fish the Gulf State Park Pier
The Gulf State Park Pier is open 24 hours a day, with staff on site from 6 AM to 5 PM between September 8 and March 1. The park lists sheepshead, red drum, flounder, Florida pompano and whiting among the catches depending on the season, and sells weekly, monthly, six-month and annual fishing permits, which suit a long winter stay. An Alabama saltwater or pier fishing license is required. The pier is 3.5 mi, about 9 min by car from the Beachfront Duplex and 2.9 mi, about 6 min by car from Oasis.
Winter birding at Bon Secour and Fort Morgan
West of Gulf Shores on Fort Morgan Road (AL 180), the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge has trails open year-round from sunrise to sunset, for walkers only. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service notes the Centennial Trail boardwalks are closed for repairs, though you can still walk the trail up to them from both sides. Alabama Birding Trails rates Pine Beach Trail for fall, spring and winter, and suggests looking for red-breasted mergansers, bald eagles and peregrine falcons on Little Lagoon in winter, with wintering ducks and grebes from the Gator Lake observation deck. Fort Morgan State Historic Site sits at the end of the same road, 23.8 mi, about 37 min by car from the duplex.
More ideas, including group rates at the zoo and OWA, are in our things to do with a big group guide.
Which home suits a winter stay
A winter trip often means a family that comes in waves: grandparents for the season, children and grandchildren for a week or a long weekend. Both of our homes handle that well.
| Beachfront Duplex, Gulf Shores | Oasis Unit 2201, Orange Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeps | 27 (8 bedrooms, 6 full baths) | 10 (4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and a half bath) |
| Layout | A beachfront duplex of two side-by-side homes, each with its own entrance, kitchen and living room. Also bookable one side at a time: Side A sleeps 14, Side B sleeps 13 | Gulf-front corner condo, every bedroom with its own bathroom |
| Warm-water swimming | Beachside pool, heated on request at no extra charge | Resort indoor pool with hot tubs, plus saunas and a fitness center |
| For a long stay | Two full kitchens, two washer and dryer sets, free Wi-Fi, outdoor grills | Gourmet kitchen with a large island, full-size washer and dryer, covered parking garage |
| Pets | Up to 2, 1 per side ($195 per pet) | No pets |
| Parking | Up to 6 vehicles (3 per side) | HOA parking passes, $60 per vehicle, 2 maximum |
Home details are from the owner’s listing. See each home’s page for photos.
The two homes are about 6 miles, or roughly 13 minutes, apart by car with light traffic, so a family of up to 37 can spread across both. Each home is booked separately. What winter guests have said:
“Great spot for a family vacation. Sarah went the extra mile to make sure the pool was heated for the little ones during a cooler period in the weather.”
“The condo was beautiful. I loved how spacious it was. It truly felt like a home where you could just relax with your love ones on the couch after dinner. The balcony was so magnificent; being able to hear the waves crash over and over was beautiful. I can’t wait to stay again and make more memories.”
Quoted exactly from Airbnb. Dolphin View A is rated ★ 4.78 from 9 reviews and Oasis Unit 2201 ★ 4.81 from 16 reviews on Airbnb, as shown October 23, 2026.
Coming down for the holidays first? Our Christmas and New Year’s guide covers the ice rink at The Wharf and the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dip.
A few winter planning notes
- Check the calendar first. A stay of several weeks needs consecutive open nights; each home’s calendar shows what is free and your full total before you pay.
- Ask for the pool heat. Tell us when you book and we will heat the duplex’s beachside pool at no extra charge.
- Parade days close the beach road in Orange Beach. Shop and run errands before the road closures on February 6 and February 9, 2027.
- Bringing the dog? The City of Gulf Shores does not allow pets on its sand beaches; see our beach rules guide.
- Flying in? Pensacola International Airport is 39.3 mi, about 72 min by car from the duplex.
Drive times from the duplex
| To | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| The Hangout (Gulf Shores public beach) | 2.2 mi | ~6 min |
| Gulf State Park Pier | 3.5 mi | ~9 min |
| Waterville USA | 2.9 mi | ~7 min |
| The Wharf (Orange Beach) | 8.1 mi | ~16 min |
| Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo | 7.3 mi | ~17 min |
| OWA Parks & Resort (Foley) | 12.6 mi | ~22 min |
| Fort Morgan State Historic Site | 23.8 mi | ~37 min |
| Pensacola International Airport (PNS) | 39.3 mi | ~72 min |
Approximate driving distance and time with free-flowing traffic, from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked October 23, 2026. Summer weekends, spring break and the Highway 59 corridor can add a lot of time.
Book your winter stay
How to book all 27 guests
- Pick your dates in the Beachfront Duplex calendar. It books both sides together.
- See your full total with nightly rates, fees and taxes before you pay.
- Pay 50% to book through our secure OwnerRez checkout. The balance is due 30 days before arrival.
- Questions first? Email host@avarastays.com and the owner will answer.
Our cancellation policy for direct bookings: a 100% refund more than 30 days before check-in, a 50% refund from 30 to 15 days before check-in, and no refund within 14 days.
Why book direct with the owner
- No Airbnb or Vrbo guest service fee. You check out with the owner's own booking system, OwnerRez, so no booking-site service fee is added. The calendar on each home's page shows nightly rates, fees and taxes before you pay.
- Talk to the owner. Questions about beds, pets, parking or your group go straight to us at host@avarastays.com.
- Clear cancellation. Cancel more than 30 days before check-in for a 100% refund. Cancel 30 to 15 days before check-in for a 50% refund. No refund within 14 days of check-in.
- Pay in two parts. 50% at booking, and the balance 30 days before arrival.
- Same homes, same owner. These are the same homes you may have seen on Airbnb or Vrbo, run by the same family.
Quick answers
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in January and February?
Mild by day and cool at night. NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Pensacola Regional Airport, the nearest major weather station, give an average high of 62.7°F and low of 43.7°F in January, 66.4°F and 47.2°F in February, and 72.0°F and 52.7°F in March.
What do snowbirds do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach?
The tourism board lists state snowbird clubs for ten states, the free Winter Showcase Series of morning talks at Gulf State Park’s Learning Campus (January 11 to February 19, 2027), drop-in cards, games and fitness classes at the Orange Beach Senior Center, Mardi Gras parades, golf, birding, the paved Backcountry Trail and the Gulf State Park Pier.
When are the 2027 Mardi Gras parades in Orange Beach?
The City of Orange Beach lists the Mystics of Pleasure parade at 6 PM on Saturday, February 6, 2027, The Wharf’s Moon Pies on Main on Monday, February 8, and the Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade at 2 PM on Fat Tuesday, February 9, 2027, all on or near Perdido Beach Boulevard.
When is the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade in 2027?
A City of Gulf Shores council item proposes Saturday, January 23, 2027, for the 47th Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade, organized with the Pleasure Island Revelers krewe. Confirm the date and route on the city or tourism board pages closer to the season.
Is there a heated pool in winter?
Yes. The beachside pool at the Beachfront Duplex can be heated on request at no extra charge. The Oasis resort in Orange Beach has an indoor pool with hot tubs, plus saunas and a fitness center.
Can we stay for several weeks?
Yes, if the dates are open. The calendar on each home’s page shows availability and the full total for your dates before you pay. For a longer winter stay, email host@avarastays.com with your dates and group size.
Can we bring a dog for the winter?
The Beachfront Duplex allows up to 2 pets, 1 per side, with a $195 fee per pet, and Dolphin View A and B allow 1 pet each. Oasis allows no pets. The City of Gulf Shores does not allow pets on its sand beaches.
What is the cancellation policy?
For direct bookings: a 100% refund more than 30 days before check-in, a 50% refund from 30 to 15 days before check-in, and no refund within 14 days. 50% is due at booking and the balance 30 days before arrival.
Get notified of openings and group deals
Planning a group trip? Join our list and we'll email you when dates open up and when we have group deals. Occasional emails only.
Stay with us
Our homes are owner-managed by Avara Stays and booked directly with the host:
- Beachfront Duplex: sleeps 27, 8 bedrooms, Gulf Shores
- Dolphin View A: sleeps 14, 4 bedrooms, Gulf Shores
- Dolphin View B: sleeps 13, 4 bedrooms, Gulf Shores
- Oasis Unit 2201: sleeps 10, 4 bedrooms, Orange Beach
Sources
Checked October 30, 2026. Rules, prices and hours change, so confirm with the venue before you go.
- Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Winter Showcase Series (2027 dates)
- Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: How to meet other snowbirds (updated Aug. 28, 2026)
- Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: State snowbird clubs
- Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Snowbird events
- Snowbird Fest: postponed to 2027
- City of Orange Beach: Senior Center classes and activities
- City of Orange Beach: Mardi Gras 2027 parades and road closures
- Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade (Feb. 9, 2027)
- City of Gulf Shores: council item on the 2027 Mardi Gras Parade (proposed Jan. 23, 2027)
- Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Mardi Gras and the 2027 regional parade schedule
- Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park activities calendar
- Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park hiking and biking trails
- Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park Pier
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge trails
- Alabama Birding Trails: Bon Secour NWR, Pine Beach Trail
- Alabama Historical Commission: Fort Morgan, plan your visit
- NOAA NCEI: 1991–2020 monthly climate normals, Pensacola Regional Airport (USW00013899)
- NOAA NCEI: About U.S. Climate Normals
- OpenStreetMap / OSRM routing (drive times)