2015 Holiday Events in Destin and the Surrounding Area

The holidays are rapidly approaching, and we’re all looking for fun ways to celebrate with our family and friends. Below I’ve compiled a list of holiday events in Destin and the surrounding area. To keep up with the latest local tips, sign up for my newsletter here!

DESTIN

• Sunday, November 15 (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM) – ARTWalk (HarborWalk Village) | Features dozens of local artisans and craftspeople along this open air waterfront boardwalk. It’s a vibrant marketplace, bustling with street performers and live music.
• Thursday, November 19 (5:30-8:00 PM) – 3rd Annual Bourbon at the Bay (Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club) | Sip on bourbon, scotch, and champagne, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and start your holiday shopping early with their silent auction.
• Friday, November 20 (6:00-8:00 PM) – Santa’s Arrival (Destin Commons) | Destin Commons and Bass Pro Shops welcome Santa to light the tree! Character photo opportunities and live entertainment with Sinfonia and festive carolers. Sit back and marvel at a holiday parade with Santa and fireworks!
• Thursday, November 26 (11:00 AM – 7:00 PM) – Thanksgiving with Harbor Docks and Habitat (Harbor Docks) | Harbor Docks will open their doors for the 21st Anniversary of Thanksgiving with Habitat for Humanity to provide a complimentary traditional dinner for you. This invitation is open to everyone, whether you plan to spend the holiday alone or with family and friends.
• Thursday, December 3 (6:00-7:00 PM) – Destin Christmas Tree Lighting (Destin Community Center) | The 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is hosted by the City of Destin. This will be an outdoor event for the entire family with a visit from Santa Claus. There will be entertainment from local choruses, musical groups, dancers, etc., with refreshments being served after the lighting of the tree. Donations of toys and canned food will be collected for families in need.
• Friday, December 4 (7:00 PM) – Sounds of the Season Christmas Concert (Village Baptist Church) |  Doors open at 6:00 PM. Admission is a donation of an unwrapped child’s toy to be distributed among the participating churches’ outreach ministries to provide a brighter Christmas for families in need during the holidays. A love offering at intermission will benefit Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s “All Kinds of Art,” a children’s educational outreach program inspiring students and special needs children in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
• Saturday, December 5 (2:00-4:00 PM) – Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s “A Dickens Christmas” (HarborWalk Village: Veranda Room) | Experience a unique adaption of Charles Dickens’ famous story “A Christmas Carol” in this up close and intimate setting. Three talented professional actors seamlessly change from character to character as they bring to life the tale of Scrooge and his transformational night with three ghosts. Make this special evening a new holiday tradition as you share cookies and tea with family and friends in a cozy, festive atmosphere.
• Saturday, December 12 (10:00 AM – noon) – Destin Christmas Parade | The floats will start by Old Time Pottery and travel west down Harbor Blvd to Nightown.
• Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 (noon – 4:00 PM) – Holiday ArtWalk | The Destin Harbor is full of holiday cheer! Local artists, passionate designers, creative personalities and all day entertainment turns HarborWalk Village into a vibrant and bustling outdoor art gallery for a special edition Holiday ArtWalk. Stop by the main stage and visit with Santa.
• Saturday, December 12 (2:00-4:00 PM) – Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s “A Dickens Christmas” (HarborWalk Village: Veranda Room) | Experience a unique adaption of Charles Dickens’ famous story “A Christmas Carol” in this up close and intimate setting. Three talented professional actors seamlessly change from character to character as they bring to life the tale of Scrooge and his transformational night with three ghosts. Make this special evening a new holiday tradition as you share cookies and tea with family and friends in a cozy, festive atmosphere.
• Sunday, December 13 (6:00 PM) – Destin Boat Parade | The Destin harbor will be dancing with holiday lights and cheer during the 28th Annual Destin Boat Parade.
• Saturday, December 19 (2:00-4:00 PM) – Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s “A Dickens Christmas” (HarborWalk Village: Veranda Room) | Experience a unique adaption of Charles Dickens’ famous story “A Christmas Carol” in this up close and intimate setting. Three talented professional actors seamlessly change from character to character as they bring to life the tale of Scrooge and his transformational night with three ghosts. Make this special evening a new holiday tradition as you share cookies and tea with family and friends in a cozy, festive atmosphere.

FORT WALTON BEACH

• Friday, December 11 (7:30 PM) – A Peter White Christmas (Emerald Coast Convention Center) | A Peter White Christmas featuring Rick Braun and Mindi Abair. Smooth jazz and jingle bells return to the Emerald Coast in this unique blend of contemporary jazz and holiday music. Purchase tickets early, as this event often sells out.

GULF BREEZE

• Friday, November 20 (5:00-8:00 PM) – Christmas Jingle & Marketplace (Gulf Breeze Community Center) | Get into the holiday spirit with the beautiful lights, decorations, music, and fun with Santa. They will have arts and crafts available from area vendors.
• Saturday, November 21 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) – Christmas Jingle & Marketplace (Gulf Breeze Community Center) | Get into the holiday spirit with the beautiful lights, decorations, music, and fun with Santa. They will have arts and crafts available from area vendors.
• Saturday, November 21 (7:00-11:00 PM) – Festival of the Trees Gala (Gulf Breeze Community Center) | Santa Rosa Kids House live auction, cocktail attire, dinner buffet, and dancing. Purchase tickets online.

NAVARRE

• Saturday, December 5 (2:00 PM) – Annual Navarre Community Christmas Parade | The theme this year is “Christmas in Candyland.” The parade will begin at the Navarre Library, traveling south and ending behind Centennial Bank.

NICEVILLE

• Friday, November 20 (7:30 PM) – Messiah and More Concert (St. Paul Lutheran Church) | Performed by Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale.
• Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 (7:30 PM) – The Nutcracker Ballet (Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College) | Tickets are $35 for adults and $17 for children (12 and under).
• Sunday, November 22 (2:30 PM) – The Nutcracker Ballet (Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College) | Tickets are $35 for adults and $17 for children (12 and under).
• Friday, November 27 through Sunday, December 27 (6:00-9:00 PM) – Christmas Lady’s Niceville Christmas Display (in the former K-Mart location in the Oak Creek Shopping Center) | “Animation in Motion” is open seven nights a week!
• Monday, November 30 through Sunday, January 3 (6:00-9:30 PM, until 10:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays) – Geek Lights (corner of Bluewater Boulevard and Antiqua Way) |A popular Niceville Christmas lights display and music show, beginning on the hour and half hour. Consists of Christmas lights and other themed display elements, all under computer control and synchronized to stories and music. This year’s display features approximately 85,000 lights, driven by nearly 300 computer controlled circuits.
• Friday, December 4 (7:30 PM) – A Christmas Carol in Concert (Mattie Kelly Arts Center) | Early ticket purchase is strongly recommended as the event has sold out the last several years.
• Saturday, December 5 (10:00 AM) – Niceville Christmas Parade | The theme is “100 Years of Christmas in Okaloosa County.” The parade starts at the intersection of State Road 20 and Palm Boulevard and makes its way down State Road 20 to Partin Drive, where it turns right. The parade then continues on Partin Drive past Ruckel Middle School.
• Saturday, December 5 (2:00 PM and 7:30 PM) – A Christmas Carol in Concert (Mattie Kelly Arts Center) | Early ticket purchase is strongly recommended as the event has sold out the last several years.
• Friday, December 11 (7:30 PM) – Holiday Pops (Mattie Kelly Arts Center) | Ring in the season with all your holiday favorites as the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, and the superb voices of the NWF State College Belle Voci and Madrigal Singers. Tickets for $25/adult and $18/youth or active duty military.

ROSEMARY BEACH

• Tuesday, November 24 (2:00-3:00 PM) – “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” Live Theatre (North Barrett Square or The Pearl Ballroom if raining) | Don’t miss the Seaside REP’s smash hit “Every Christmas Story Ever Told,” showcasing all your favorite beloved holiday classics crammed into a performance full of high-energy jolly, frivolity, and hilarity. Fun for the whole family! Chairs and blankets welcome.
• Friday, November 27 (6:00-6:30 PM) – Rosemary Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony | Don’t miss the excitement as we “turn on the town!” Enjoy musical performances by the Charles Dickens Carolers, see Santa’s big arrival, and take a carriage ride through town.
• Saturday, November 28 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) – Holiday Market | Vendors will be selling holiday decorations, gifts, jewelry, handcrafted furniture, art, and more!

SANDESTIN

• Saturday, November 14 (5:00 – 7:00 PM) – Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights (The Village of Baytowne Wharf) | Stroll the streets, lined in twinkling lights and greenery, while sipping champagne and sampling featured menu items. And, you can enjoy a sneak peek of our tree lighting!
• Sunday, November 1 through Sunday, January 31 (hours vary) – Baytowne on Ice (The Village of Baytowne Wharf) | This seasonal treat is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! Open daily.
• Friday, November 20 (7:00-10:00 PM) – Horizon Stars Fashion Show, “Winterland!” (Linkside Conference Center) | Be entertained by great talent while supporting a wonderful cause.
• Friday November 27 (6:00 PM) – Polar Express (The Village of Baytowne Wharf) | Watch the Christmas movie under the stars.
• Saturday November 28 (6:00-9:00 PM) – Here Comes Santa Claus (The Village of Baytowne Wharf) | The main event! They’ll have kids activities and live music. Santa Claus arrives at 6:00, followed by a fireworks show! And don’t forget to snap a photo with Santa, until 9:00!
• Wednesday, December 2 through Saturday, December 26 (6:00 and 7:00 PM) – 12 Nights of Lights (The Village of Baytowne Wharf) | For the month of December, enjoy a festive light show set to your favorite holiday music every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening leading up to Christmas.
• Saturday, December 12 (5:00 PM) – Tuba Christmas & Holiday Lantern Parade (The Village of Baytowne Wharf) | At 5:00, enjoy a free concert by Playground Music Center. At 6:00, individuals and groups are invited to participate in a lantern parade.
• Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 (7:00 AM – 5:00 PM) – Tee Off For Toys (Raven Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, or The Links Golf Club) | Donate a new or unwrapped toy or gift card with a value of $15 or more and in exchange resort guests or visitors can play Sandestin’s public golf courses for just the greens/golf car fee of $20.

SEASIDE

• Saturday, November 21 (5:00 PM) – The Nutcracker (Seaside Ampitheater) | Performance by local area dancers and Ballet Pensacola.
• Saturday, November 28 (4:00 PM) – Turn on the Town | Christmas parade, Santa, music, and more!
• Saturday, December 19 (5:30 PM) – Holiday Pops Concert (Seaside Ampitheater) | Special holiday performance from the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.

VALPARAISO

• Saturday, December 12 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) – Yule of Yesteryear (Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida) | Walton Guard re-enactment Christmas 1861, Santa, vendors, entertainment, and more!

WATERCOLOR

• Saturday, November 28 (5:00-9:00 PM) – Old Florida Holiday & Winter Market | This is a holiday extravaganza complete with falling snow, horse-drawn carriage rides, s’mores, Santa, luminaries, and a winter market!

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Questions? Give me a call!

It’s Wendy… It’s Sold!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: [email protected]

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, 30A, Miramar Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Panama City Beach.