The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, rebranded as Morgan Wallen's Sand in My Boots Festival for 2025, will not occur in 2026 due to booking challenges and a tight timeline. City officials and organizers cite insufficient time to secure talent as the reason. The event is slated to return in 2027.
The annual Hangout Music Festival, a staple event on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama, faced an unexpected pause after its recent rebranding. Originally launched in 2009 by A.J. Niland, Shaul Zislin, and Lilly Zislin, the festival partnered with AEG-owned Goldenvoice in 2015 to manage its growth to a 40,000-attendee capacity. Past editions featured diverse lineups, including 2024 headliners Lana Del Rey, Zach Bryan, and ODESZA.
Rebranding and 2025 Edition
For the 2025 installment, the festival adopted the name Sand in My Boots Festival, curated around country star Morgan Wallen. The event drew strong community backing and showcased supporting acts such as Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Hardy, T-Pain, Diplo, The War on Drugs, 3 Doors Down, and Future Islands. This shift aimed to blend country, southern rap, and other genres to attract a targeted audience.
Reasons for 2026 Cancellation
Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft addressed the City Council, explaining that organizers struggled to book fresh talent without repeating past acts. In a statement, Craft noted, “The compressed timeline created by this decision did not provide organizers sufficient runway to produce a successful festival in 2026.” The city's initial 10-year agreement ended after 2025, and while a two-year extension was approved in July, it proved too rushed.
AEG representatives echoed this, stating to Billboard, “The decision to not move forward with a festival for 2026 was tied to Hangout Festival and the permitting approval timeline for the site.” Despite the setback, all parties remain committed to the event's future.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Officials anticipate a return in 2027, allowing time to craft a lineup that boosts the local economy. Craft emphasized, “We appreciate that they are being thoughtful in creating a lineup that will be impactful to our local economy.” The pause reflects a deliberate effort to ensure quality and community alignment.