Son Of A Sailor Fest

A Sailor's Salute to Jimmy Buffett & Gulf Coast Music

Son Of A Sailor Fest is a free celebration of Jimmy Buffett and Gulf Coast culture in his waterfront hometown of Mobile, Alabama. This festival features a rollicking second line parade, a parrot head costume contest, and non-stop music featuring Coral Reefers: Keith Sykes, Jim Mayer, Roger Bartlett, and Will Kimbrough, as well as Jammy Buffett, Daria & The Hip Drops, and more. Purchase your VIP Experience today for the ultimate fun-filled day of music while supporting the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation.

VIP Experience

The Full VIP Experience is the ultimate way to take advantage of all that SOS Fest has to offer. On Friday evening, kick off the weekend with our Maritime Museum Welcome Reception which includes an exclusive sneak preview of the highly anticipated Jimmy Buffett Experience slated to open September 2026. You will get a firsthand glimpse at this immersive, multi-gallery exhibit of Buffett's life and career before anyone else. Special memorabilia will be on display, and museum staff will give a multi-media presentation of behind-the-scenes plans and renderings. You can also savor delicious food and drinks while enjoying panoramic views of the Mobile River. You do not want to miss this one-of-a-kind event.

On Saturday, your VIP Experience continues in Cathedral Square with exclusive access to the shaded VIP Lounge with comfortable seating; a designated, front row viewing area; catered food from Moe's Original BBQ; premium beverages; dedicated bathrooms; and, for our VIPs 21 years old and up, a swag bag (including festival badge, decal, poster, etc.) and raffle ticket for our VIP gift basket (valued at more than $200). While our VIP attendants take care of you, so you can have the time of your life.

VIP Perks

FRIDAY

• WELCOME PARTY & JIMMY BUFFETT EXPERIENCE MUSEUM SNEAK PREVIEW

SATURDAY

• VIP LOUNGE
• DEDICATED BATHROOMS
• CATERED FOOD AND BEVERAGES
• VIP FRONT ROW ACCESS
• COMFORTABLE SEATING
• SWAG BAG
• VIP GIFT BASKET RAFFLE ($200 VALUE)

Music Lineup

The roster includes Gulf and Western psychedelia powerhouse Jammy Buffet, an unforgettable Coral Reefer Jam Session with Coral Reefers: Keith Sykes, Roger Bartlett, Jim Mayer, and Will Kimbrough, plus Daria & The Hip Drops, Ryan Balthrop & Slide Bayou, Blow House Brass Band, and more.

Second Line Parade

Jimmy often said he was a “child of Mardi Gras” which makes sense as Mobile is home to the oldest carnival celebration in the United States. So there is no better way to kick off the party than with a brass band and a second line parade in the historic streets of Downtown Mobile.

Costume Contest

Don't just watch the party, be a part of the party! Throw on a tropical shirt and a pair of flip flops or get decked out in a Jimmy Buffett-inspired outfit worthy of lost treasure. Think Key West cool, Hawaiian luau, pirates, leis, flamingos, etc. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, and you’re on shore leave, sailor. Have some fun and let your parrot head flag fly. Participate in our costume contests and win fun prizes. Fins up!

Also check out other Festivals in Mobile, Entertainment events in Mobile, Music events in Mobile.