A Two-Day Music and Arts Festival at The Driftwood Motel
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS — The Driftwood Motel, in partnership with Good Earth Records, is excited to announce the return of Driftapalooza, a two-day music and arts festival taking place September 18-19, 2026, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Set at the retro-inspired Driftwood Motel, just minutes from Old Town Bay St. Louis, Driftapalooza brings together live music, local art, food vendors, and the Gulf Coast community for a weekend-long celebration of creativity and culture. Following a successful inaugural year, which welcomed hundreds of attendees, featured 20+ vendors, and showcased eight bands, the festival returns with an expanded vision focused on regional talent and a high-energy, community-driven experience.
“Last year’s Driftapalooza exceeded all of our expectations. Seeing the turnout, the energy, and the support from both locals and visitors made it clear this is something worth growing. We’re excited to bring it back in 2026 and continue creating an event that celebrates the culture and creativity of Bay St. Louis.” – Alex Fugatt, Asset Manager at The Driftwood Motel
New for 2026, Driftapalooza is proud to support the Bay Ratz Marching Battery, with a portion of festival proceeds benefiting the organization and helping fund instruments and programming. The local percussion group will also be part of the weekend’s entertainment, performing alongside a visiting brass band and leading a lively second line through the festival grounds, adding an interactive and distinctly Gulf Coast element to the experience.
Additional details, including the 2026 music lineup and full schedule, will be announced in the coming months.
As planning gets underway, Driftapalooza is currently seeking local and regional businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities. Sponsors will have the opportunity to gain visibility through event signage, on-site presence, and inclusion across promotional and marketing efforts, while supporting a growing cultural event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Businesses interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to reach out to Tiffany Langlinais at tiffany@freretnapoleon.com to learn more.
Festival attendees are encouraged to stay on-site at The Driftwood Motel for the full weekend experience. Located just one mile from Old Town, the motel offers a convenient and comfortable home base for enjoying both the festival and everything Bay St. Louis has to offer.
To keep up with all current happenings, follow The Driftwood Motel via @driftwoodmotelbsl (Instagram), @driftwoodmotelbsl (TikTok), and ‘Driftwood Motel BSL’ (Facebook).