Morgan Wallen’s “Sand in My Boots” Festival Will Return to Gulf Shores But the Big Question Is When?

The timing remains mysterious but the intention is firm.
Hangout Fest Pauses, the Rumor Mill Starts Turning
The uncertainty began swirling after Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft announced during a city council meeting that the long-running Hangout Music Fest a staple since 2010 would not return in 2026. Instead, he hinted that the city expects to approve an event for 2027, leaving a one-year void in its usual festival cycle.
With Hangout Fest stepping aside temporarily, many fans naturally looked toward Wallen’s festival for answers.
A Different Kind of Beach Festival Energy
In 2024, the beachside party scene took a turn when Hangout Fest was replaced by Sand in My Boots, a country-forward festival curated by Morgan Wallen himself. Though the sound shifted from EDM drops and pop headliners to twang, boots, and bonfires the production muscle behind the event stayed largely the same: AEG Presents, the powerhouse team that has long engineered Gulf Shores’ major music weekends.
The vibe may have changed, but the crowds didn’t seem to mind. The festival quickly carved out its own identity laid-back, salty, sun-warmed, and unapologetically country.
So… When Exactly Is Sand in My Boots Coming Back?

That’s the million-dollar question. At the moment, organizers are keeping specifics close to the vest. There’s no official date, lineup tease, or even a whisper of a year only reassurance that the return is happening. The message to fans is essentially: Don’t pack away your boots just yet.
With Hangout Fest on pause for 2026 and a green light planned for 2027, Sand in My Boots could land in several possible windows. But until the organizers speak up, all we can do is wait and speculate.
What We Know for Sure
Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots will return to Gulf Shores.
Hangout Music Fest won’t be held in 2026.
The city expects a festival (or festivals) to resume fully in 2027.
Details on the next Sand in My Boots festival are still under wraps.
Bottom Line: The Beach Isn’t Done With Country Music Yet
Even if the exact date remains a mystery, Wallen’s coastal festival isn’t fading into the sand. Whether it’s 2026, 2027, or some artfully timed surprise, Gulf Shores will once again echo with guitars, waves, and tens of thousands of fans singing their lungs out.
Until then, stay tuned and maybe keep those festival boots somewhere you can reach them.