Sand In My Boots Festival Called Off For 2026

Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots Festival will not return to Gulf Shores in 2026, despite its hugely successful debut. The event, which sold out all tickets in its inaugural year, has been paused with plans to return in 2027.

The news came from Gulf Shores mayor Robert Craft during a city council meeting. Neither Wallen nor AEG Presents has yet commented on the festival’s future.

Mayor Craft explained that organisers submitted their application to renew a franchise agreement too late to secure the calibre of performers required for a 2026 event. Officials and business leaders were keen to maintain the standard set by last year’s festival, which they said attracted an affluent and respectful audience to the area.

Sand in My Boots took the place of the long-running Hangout Fest, which had historically leaned toward pop music and a younger demographic. Wallen’s version focused on country, with elements of rock and rap, and drew larger crowds than Hangout Fest had managed in recent years.

The inaugural lineup featured Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Diplo and Riley Green, alongside Wallen himself.
Mayor Craft said the city “will refuse to let them go back to the acts that we’ve had before,” adding that organisers therefore chose to cancel the 2026 event rather than compromise on talent.

The plan, he said, is for the festival to return in 2027. The additional year will give organisers time to secure the level of artists they want and ensure the event attracts the same audience profile as the first edition.

Although it is possible the festival could evolve into something different, Wallen has repeatedly referred to the 2025 event as the “inaugural” Sand in My Boots Fest. In a social media reflection, he called it a “pretty good first try,” suggesting he still hopes to build the festival in future years.