There’s always something happening at the beach! Whether you live here full-time or visit as often as possible, these festive Emerald Coast activities are just as much fun as enjoying the sand and surf. From visits with Santa to beach ball drops on New Year’s Eve, here are a few of our favorites for making the most of your coastal Christmas.
Multiple Opportunities through January 2023
Christmas Reflections 2022 | Chipley Park, DeFuniak Springs
Enjoy a holiday family tradition with more than 10 million lights on full display at Chipley Park. Open daily from November 25 through December 31 from 5 to 9 p.m.
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Baytowne On Ice | Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
Dust off those skates and get in the winter spirit at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Baytowne on Ice. Skaters must be at least three years of age and fit into appropriately sized skates. Children younger than 6 must be accompanied by a parent or adult family member.
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Holiday on The Harbor Visits With Santa | HarborWalk Village, Destin
Holiday on the Harbor begins with Santa’s “Grande” entrance on November 27 at 1 p.m. Visits with Santa will continue through the holiday season, every Saturday, and Sunday, until December 19 from 1-4 p.m. While visiting with Santa, families will also be able to enjoy a Rudolph-themed treasure hunt, holiday activities, and an opportunity to write Santa a letter. Receive a free photo; $1 will be donated to the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society for each letter written to Santa during the holiday season.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas | Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach
Emerald Coast Theatre Company will present “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on December 2-10 at ECTC’s location at 560 Grand Boulevard at Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach.
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical | Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach
Emerald Coast Theatre Company will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical” on December 8-18 at ECTC’s location at 560 Grand Boulevard at Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach.
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Olde Holiday Market | Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village, Destin
This festive marketplace features holiday activities, live music and visits with Santa. Get your holiday shopping done early and support local vendors. The event takes place December 11-12.
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Breakfast With Santa | Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village, Destin
Don’t be a Grinch! Join in for a joyous breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon on December 11, 17, 18 and 19 in the Grande Ballroom. A festive buffet of the Grinch’s fruit kabob station, Cindy Lou Who’s breakfast items, Whoville Bakery, and Max’s Donut Station! Cost is $25 for adults and $18 for children, with reservations required by calling 850.424.0622.
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Grand Boulevard Farmers Market Holiday Market | Miramar Beach
Stop by for a holiday-themed market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. December 21, 24, 28 and 31. This is open to the public and free of charge.
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30A Farmers Market Holiday Market | Rosemary Beach
Check out multiple market opportunities on Dec. 18, 22 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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12 Nights of Lights | The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
Experience a holiday light show every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. through December 23 on the Events Plaza Lawn at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.
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Winter Break Fun For Everyone | Emerald Coast Science Center, Fort Walton Beach
Check out the special holiday activities December 28-30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All activities are included with general admission of $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $10 for children and free for children two and younger. Call 850.664.1261 for more details.
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30A Songwriters Festival | Santa Rosa Beach, 30A
30A Songwriters Festival features more than 250 artists January 13-16 at more than 30 indoor venues along 30A.
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November 26
Turn on the Town – Holiday Celebration | Seaside, Florida
Join the town of Seaside, Florida as they kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the trees in the amphitheater on November 26 at 5 p.m. Santa will be available for complimentary photos and holiday activities for all ages.
December 2
Ice Skating Extravaganza | The Village of Baytown Wharf, Sandestin
Baytown will be hosting two performances by professional ice skaters on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. This is a free event open to the public.
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Café Thirty-A Charity Christmas Ball | Santa Rosa Beach
Café Thirty-A will host its annual Christmas Charity Ball benefiting Caring and Sharing of South Walton from 6 to 10 p.m. December 2. The restaurant will be transformed with festive holiday décor. Attendees will enjoy a glass of champagne and passed heavy hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet and a cash bar. There will be music by DJ Wub Control and a commemorative photo booth. Guests are encouraged to dress in evening attire, black tie optional.
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December 3
Holiday Tour of Homes | Rosemary Beach
The Holiday Tour of Homes, a self-guided tour of several of Rosemary Beach’s finest homes, will take place on December 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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December 9
Holiday Pops feat. The Doo Wop Project | Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, Okaloosa Island
The Doo Wop Project boys will get you into the holiday spirit with old-school holiday classics like “White Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and contemporary hits like “This Christmas” and “Last Christmas.” Ticket prices range from $30 to $55.
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The Nutcracker | Destin Community Center, Destin
Studio6twenty5 presented the Christmas favorite with doors opening at 5 p.m. and showtime at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended with a suggested donation of $10 per ticket, which benefits the studio’s children’s program.
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December 10
Breakfast With Santa and Holiday Festival | Aegean Restaurant, Shalimar
Enjoy a breakfast buffet, pictures with Santa and arts and crafts for the kids. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 a.m., with photos from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the festival continuing until 11 a.m. All proceeds benefit Opportunity Place, which works to eliminate homelessness for families in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. This holiday tradition continues.
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Christmas ZOObilee | Gulf Breeze Zoo, Gulf Breeze
Visit the Gulf Breeze Zoo for their Christmas ZOObilee, which includes winter-themed bounce stations; live music and entertainment; and, the Candy Cane Market full of gifts, sights, smells and tastes of the season including unique gifts from local artists and delicious holiday treats. Snap photos with both Santa and The Grinch.
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December 11
Dock The Halls Fundraiser | Boathouse Oyster Bar, Destin
This is Boathouse Oyster Bar’s holiday giveback campaign supporting Children in Crisis. Donate unwrapped toys for ages six to 17, gift cards or monetary donations. Participants will receive a map with locations of sponsored stops on their way to the finish line. A raffle will also be conducted. Come for the fundraiser and stay for the Destin boat parade.
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Lighted Boat Parade | Destin
The Destin Harbor will be dancing with holiday lights and cheer on Dec. 11. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. at Boshamps where boats festively decorated with holiday lights and décor line up and begin drifting along the Harbor past HarborWalk Village toward the Destin Bridge and Norriego Point. The evening ends with a bang as fireworks light up the sky. All commercial, charter, and private boats are invited to help light up the Harbor with the true Destin spirit.
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December 14
Beer Yoga | Props Brewery and Taproom, Fort Walton Beach
Yoga, beer, and holiday cheer! If you’re looking for these three things, they’ll have you covered. Join in for a 45-minute beer yoga class led by Dr. Karen Hedenschoug, DPT, with check-in at 6 p.m. and class at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and include one complimentary beer. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle, towel and beer money.
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Ugly Sweater-Themed Wine Tasting, Toast Wine Bar, Niceville
Come out for a wine-tasting and ugly sweater competition in one. There will be prizes for ugliest sweater and four wines will be featured. Tickets are $10. Reservations are recommended by calling 850.279.6665.
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December 16
Movie Night: How The Grinch Stole Christmas | Baytowne Wharf
During this holiday season, put a little snark in your holiday spirit with The Mean One Dec. 16. Meet the maven of mischief himself for a photo opportunity from 5 to 7 p.m., then enjoy a movie showing of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 7 p.m. Don’t miss out on this Who-liday spectacular!
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December 17
The Grayt Santa Pub Crawl | Grayton Beach
The Grayt Santa Pub Crawl takes place December 17, featuring a bar crawl and good food and drink all afternoon and into the night in Grayton Beach. Crawl begins at 3 p.m. with check-in at Hurricane Oyster Bar. Additional stops include Red Bar, Chiringo, Hibiscus and AJ’s Grayton Beach. Cost is $60 per person to crawl with costumes required. Prizes will be awarded to the “most naughty Santa” and “most nice Santa.”
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December 24
10th annual Ugly Sweater Party | Redd’s Pub, Destin
Here they go again! Redd’s Pub will host an ugly sweater part on Christmas Eve. Take a dry food donation for their annual food drive for Caring and Sharing. Ugliest holiday gear will win “cheesy gift bags.” Dinner reservations are recommended.
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December 31
New Year’s Eve | HarborWalk Village, Destin
Ring in the new year with live entertainment starting at 7 p.m. At midnight, enjoy a ball drop and fireworks. This event is free and open to the public.
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Baytowne Countdown | Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
Enjoy an evening to remember with two breathtaking fireworks displays at 8 p.m. and midnight. Enjoy a family-friendly evening with face painting, kids’ activities, and live music on the Baytowne LIVE stage with DJ TreVy from 6 to 8 p.m. Later, dance the night away with live music from Bay Kings Band from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., featured on the Events Plaza Stage. This event is 21 and older after 10 p.m.
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13th annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop | Pier Park, Panama City Beach
Join in the New Year’s Eve fun at the 2022 New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop in Pier Park. The family-friendly celebration kicks off at 5:35 p.m. featuring live music, shopping, food vendors and games and activities for the children.
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Last updated: November 16, 2022
