How to experience a beloved coastal tradition of arts, food + fun—Oct. 17-18, 2026

The 38th Annual Jubilee Festival of Arts fills charming Olde Towne Daphne on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, 2026. The festival is held at the city’s W.O. Lott Park, where guests can visit with over 140 artists and vendors and stroll the district’s beautiful, oak-lined streets.

It’s a lively, celebratory, abundant vibe that evokes the spirit of its namesake: Daphne is known as “The Jubilee City” for its jubilees, which are rare natural phenomena that push a bounty of fish, crabs and shrimp ashore every year—only known to happen here and on Tokyo Bay.

Read on to learn more about what makes this signature festival worth the drive from anywhere in Alabama and what to do, see + eat while you’re there.

How to go to the 38th Annual Jubilee Festival of Arts

• When: Saturday, October 17, 10AM-5PM + Sunday, Oct. 18, 10AM-4PM, rain or shine
• Where: W.O. Lott Park, 2000 Main St., Daphne 36526
• Admission: FREE!
• Parking: Throughout downtown Daphne | Try these spots first: Daphne Elementary + Daphne City Hall
• Website | Instagram | Facebook

More things to do in Daphne

While it may be an easy day trip for some, for others it’s absolutely worth longer drives, especially if you make a long weekend of it to allow time to see and do more things around Daphne. Here are a few ideas:

• 🌊 Enjoy the waterfront views of May Day Park + Belrose Park.
• 🌳 Wander Centennial Park + pay a visit to Jackson Oak at Village Point Park Preserve.
• 🐊 Look for gators along the Gator Boardwalk.
• 🛥️ Book a Bay cruise through Historic Blakeley State Park or Eastern Shore Charter.
• 🎨 Tour the American Sport Art Museum & Archive.
• 🛍️ Stroll + shop nearby Fairhope’s charming downtown, less than 6 miles south.

Find more things to do around the area in the Explore Eastern Shore attractions guide.

Where to eat in Daphne

While there are many treats and eats available at the Jubilee Festival of Arts, we’d be remiss not to mention a few local favorite restaurants to try.

Even if you’re day-tripping, save a little of your appetite for at least one meal or to-go goodie at one of these spots:

• 🧭 Olde Towne Daphne: Manci’s Antique Club, Kitchen on Main, Dragonfly Tavern, Le Bouchon, Press & Co.
• 🌅 Bay views + seafood: Market by the Bay in Daphne + Fairhope, The Waterfront, Sunset Pointe, Boudreaux’s Cajun Grill
• 🏈 Sports + wings: Baumhower’s Victory Grill
• 🍦Sweet treat: Whit’s Frozen Custard

Looking for more? Browse the many Daphne and Eastern Shore restaurants on the Explore Eastern Shore directory.

Map: Places to visit in Daphne during the Jubilee Festival of Arts

If you’re like us, you can’t wait to catch the bounty of arts, entertainment and delicious eats around Daphne for this year’s Jubilee Festival of Arts. We’ll see you there!