The inaugural Sand in My Boots Festival brought Gulf Shores, Alabama, to life from May 16–18, 2025, featuring a genre-blending lineup curated by Morgan Wallen and produced by AEG Presents. The beachfront music event took over the iconic location typically reserved for the Hangout Music Festival, drawing thousands of fans for performances by Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Diplo, T-Pain, HARDY, and more.

With such a massive turnout and rave reviews, the big question remains: Is Sand in My Boots Fest coming back?

Will Sand in My Boots Return in 2026?

So far, no official announcement has been made regarding the return of the Sand in My Boots Festival in 2026 or beyond. While fans and local businesses are eager to see the event return, it was confirmed as a one-time special event in celebration of Hangout Fest’s 15th anniversary hiatus.

Still, the overwhelming success of the festival has prompted conversations about its future.

🗳️ Gulf Shores Seeks Public Input on Future Festivals

In a move that underscores how significant these events are to the local community, the City of Gulf Shores is now seeking input from residents, property owners, and business operators about both the Sand in My Boots Festival and the future of Hangout Music Festival.

A public survey is available through the City of Gulf Shores website, where locals can share feedback on:

Festival impacts (positive and negative)
Suggestions for future event planning
Preferences for returning events like Hangout Fest

This initiative highlights the city’s desire to balance tourism-driven economic benefits with the quality of life for year-round residents.

📌 Have your say: Visit the City of Gulf Shores website to participate in the community survey.

Was Hangout Music Festival Replaced?

Not permanently. In 2025, Hangout Fest was temporarily paused to make room for Morgan Wallen’s country-meets-pop Sand in My Boots Festival. But fans of Hangout will be happy to know that the festival is expected to return in 2026, according to AEG Presents Producer Reeves Price.

This means 2025 was a unique collaboration, not a long-term replacement — though the door is open for Sand in My Boots to return if community feedback and artist interest align.

🎟️ How Many Tickets Were Sold for Sand in My Boots?

While exact attendance figures haven't been released, early reports confirm that Sand in My Boots was completely sold out, packing the same footprint that typically accommodates 40,000+ fans during Hangout Fest weekends. Local hotels, restaurants, and vacation rentals were fully booked, and many businesses reported record-breaking weekends.

Why It Matters to Pensacola & the Gulf Coast

Though based in Gulf Shores, Sand in My Boots attracted a massive tourism spillover into nearby cities like Pensacola, Orange Beach, and Perdido Key. Many concertgoers booked stays in Florida and commuted across the state line for the shows.

As event tourism continues to grow, regional cooperation between cities like Pensacola and Gulf Shores could be key to maximizing the cultural and economic benefits of future festivals.

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Is the Sand in My Boots Festival Returning? Gulf Shores Weighs Future of Morgan Wallen's New Event & Hangout Fest