Something big is coming to the Gulf Coast—and it’s already making waves. Gulf Shores, Alabama welcomes the debut of the Sand in My Boots Festival, a brand-new beachfront music experience created by Morgan Wallen, set for May 16–18, 2025. It’s a bold, genre-blending, boots-in-the-sand weekend that sold out in just four hours—proving the world is more than ready for this unforgettable celebration.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Reeves Price, Festival Producer, to learn more about the vision behind this exciting new event. From planning challenges to the star-studded lineup and the festival’s impact on our coastal community, this Q&A offers a firsthand perspective. View our full interview below for answers to your most anticipated questions.
- Bringing a brand-new festival to life is no small feat. How has the response been so far from both fans and the local Gulf Shores community? Have ticket sales exceeded expectations?
When we opened ticket sales back in November, we couldn’t believe the support we received -- we ended up selling out the festival in just four hours! The Gulf Shores community (and many others from around the US!) has shown tremendous support from the start - we’re excited to bring this festival to the beach and put on an amazing weekend for our attendees.
- Country music has such a passionate fan base. What has been the reaction from the artists performing? Are they excited to be part of this first-ever event?
Our talent can’t wait to be out on the beach! But no one is more excited than Morgan Wallen himself. This festival was really his vision, and when he approached us to create his own festival, his description matched perfectly with the beaches of Gulf Shores. Because our team has extensive experience operating in Gulf Shores through Hangout Fest, we knew we could help Morgan bring his vision to life.
- Music festivals can have a lasting impact on the places that host them. What does this festival mean for Gulf Shores, and how is it expected to benefit the local economy and businesses?
After such a quick sellout, we knew the local impact would hit quickly with hotels and condos filling up that same week. In past years, we’ve seen great response from so many surrounding businesses like restaurants, bars, groceries and surf shops who see a big impact during festival weekend. We also love to encourage our attendees to take advantage of the amazing beaches of Gulf Shores and extend their trip beyond the weekend, giving them a chance to experience what Gulf Shores has to offer outside of the festival grounds. Schedule a fishing trip, spend a day at the Wharf in Orange Beach or enjoy various water activities like parasailing – Gulf Shores is full of adventures.
- From a planning perspective, what has been the biggest challenge in launching a festival of this scale, and how has the team worked through it?
We’ve been lucky in our planning with Sand in My Boots because our team already has extensive experience operating on these grounds with Hangout Fest. We’ve got our teams in place -- our vendors, city officials and local businesses that we’ve worked with over the years -- and now we’re just changing up the overall brand to welcome a new festival to the beach. We always have our challenges -- unexpected weather, city closures causing increased traffic, etc. -- but we have great partners in Gulf Shores and established plans in place to help us get through any obstacle.
- What kind of fan experience can attendees expect?
All of our on-site experiences are curated by Morgan Wallen himself, reflecting the things he loves the most and highlighting the one-of-a-kind white sand beaches of Gulf Shores. We’ll have two incredible music stages (Sand In My Boots Stage Presented by Boot Barn and the Dangerous Stage Presented by Cody James), the ‘98 Braves Park ‘tailgate of all tailgates’ with BBQ, corn hole and more, plus a ferris wheel, basketball court, great eats from dozens of food vendors, swimming pools and private beach clubs for our VIP pass holders.
- How is the festival integrating the Gulf Coast’s culture, scenery, and/or lifestyle into the overall experience? Will there be local food, vendors, or activities unique to the area?
There’s no better way to showcase Gulf Shores’ best attributes than having Sand in My Boots on its white sandy beaches! The festival grounds truly show attendees why Gulf Shores is one of the best beach destinations. We’ll have lots of great food from local vendors, including Hangout Restaurant, plus hair wraps and beach cabana loungers from local providers.
- There are so many well-known country music artists performing—will there be any other genres or types of musical artists featured in the lineup?
The Sand In My Boots lineup is an eclectic mix of Morgan’s favorite artists and inspirations, all hand-picked from his personal playlist. On top of our country powerhouses like Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, Riley Green and Chase Rice (and lots more!), the lineup also features key crossover collaborators like Post Malone and Diplo, hip-hop acts including T-Pain, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz and Three 6 Mafia, indie alternative bands like The War on Drugs, 3 Doors Down, Future Islands, Real Estate, Wild Nothing and so much more! Wallen is bringing together artists from across genres to perform on the same lineup for the first time, breaking barriers while ensuring that fans can expect the unexpected with surprise artist collaborations all weekend long.
- For those experiencing the Sand in My Boots Festival, what should be on their must-do list to get the full experience? Any insider tips?
Take some time to visit our website, download our mobile app and get familiar with all the amazing activations we’ll have to offer on-site! The music is incredible, but there’s so much more to explore to make your festival experience one to remember. A few of the must do’s - see how your baseball pitch speed stacks up against your favorite artists, take a walk down Love Somebody Lane, and hop a sunset ride on the Ferris Wheel for the best view in the house.
- Looking ahead, what’s the vision for Sand in My Boots Festival? Could this become an annual tradition in Gulf Shores, and are there plans for expansion in the future?
We hope to always have a festival here in Gulf Shores. Hangout Fest has been a gem in our portfolio and we’re excited for its return to the beach in 2026! But this year is going to be something special - we can’t wait to bring a new festival to the same site with Sand in My Boots and look forward to continuing with more music in this great town for years to come!
Sand in My Boots Festival 2025 is more than a debut—it’s the beginning of something truly special in Gulf Shores. As a local, I’m proud to see our coast take center stage, and I can’t wait to experience the magic right alongside everyone else.
Check Out the Event Website Here!
