Can you believe we're about to enter the last month of 2022! December has some festive events and activities for the whole family. We hope you get to take some time to relax and enjoy this last bit of the year. Check out some of the happenings along the Emerald Coast and plan a visit. If you're lucky enough to be local – enjoy them all!
FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:
Holiday Market
When: December 1st
Where: Peddlers Pavilion 30A
Description: Peddlers Pavilion invites you to celebrate the season and join them for a Holiday Market on Thursday, December 1 from 10AM - 7PM. Enjoy live Christmas music while shopping gifts, home decor, entertaining pieces, ornaments, jewelry, baked confections, baskets, art, children’s and ladies clothing and accessories, and leather goods. Santa will be onsite for photos from 4PM - 6PM.
Peddlers Pavilion Holiday Market
Thursday, December 1 || 10AM - 7PM
Live Christmas Music || 4PM - 7PM
Photos with Santa || 4PM - 6PM
When: December 2nd
Where: Café Thirty-A
Description: Café Thirty-A will host its annual Christmas Charity Ball benefiting Caring and Sharing of South Walton on Friday, December 2nd. From 6- 10 p.m., the restaurant will be transformed with festive holiday décor. Attendees will be greeted upon arrival with a glass of champagne and enjoy passed heavy hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet, and a cash bar. There will be a DJ, a commemorative photo booth provided by Epic Photo Co., and a professional photographer. Guests are encouraged to dress in evening attire, black tie optional.
Tickets can be purchased online at cafethirtya.com.
The event will boast a large silent auction and raffle with all proceeds benefiting Caring and Sharing of South Walton’s efforts to provide food and financial assistance to local area families and individuals in need.
The purchase of one $125 ticket provides:
Two bags of food with a 25lb box of produce and fresh meat for a family of four
Two, hour long sessions with our onsite Social Worker
Gas cards to help five clients maintain reliable transportation
The purchase of two $125 tickets provides:
A payment on a past due utility bill to avoid disconnection
Four, hour-long sessions with Caring & Sharing’s onsite Social Worker
Two nights of emergency shelter for a client who has unexpectedly become homeless with his or her children.
Follow Cafe Thirty-A on Facebook for updates, silent auction items coming in, photos and more - see Cafe Thirty-A Christmas Charity Ball event page.
When: December 2nd
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: The Village of Baytowne Wharf will host its annual Ice Skating Extravaganza at the Baytowne skating pavilion. The event will feature performances from well-known skaters on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6:00pm & 7:30pm. Skaters will be sharing tips and tricks. Free and open to the public. Before and in between the shows, lace up those skates around with the pros.
Come out and stroll The Village of Baytowne Wharf after dark. Beautiful holiday decor and sparkling lights throughout the Village will fill your family with the spirit of Christmas. Baytowne on Ice is now open! Operating hours vary per day, with extended hours on the weekends. Season passes can be purchased at the Baytowne Wharf Neighborhood Association Office during business hours.
Rosemary Beach Holiday Tour of Homes
When: December 3rd
Where: Rosemary Beach
Description: Mark your calendars for the Holiday Home Tour on Saturday, December 3rd in the community of Rosemary Beach. Rosemary Beach Realty & Cottage Rental Company have selected stunning homes, decorated in their finest for this self-guided tour that's guaranteed to get you into the Holiday spirit.
Advanced tickets required and can be purchased at rbhometour.com.
Tickets purchased before Nov. 26 | $35 per person includes a complimentary adult beverage in your holiday cup.
On Nov. 27th, ticket prices increase to $40 per person.
2022 Charitable Partner: SHELTER HOUSE is the only state-certified domestic and sexual violence center serving victims of Okaloosa and Walton counties. Visit shelterhousenwfl.org for more info.
Stick around and shop the streets of Rosemary Beach while experiencing something special on every turn!
Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
When: December 3rd
Where: Freeport Elementary School & City Hall
Description: The city of Freeport, FL will host their annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 3. Join in the holiday festivities with locals and visitors alike. The parade starts at 5:15PM at Freeport Elementary School. The tree lighting will take place after the parade at City Hall where attendees will enjoy live music, food & craft vendors, and photos with Santa.
When: December 3rd
Where: HarborWalk Village
Description: Join Harborwalk Village for Holiday on the Harbor, a joyous celebration on Saturday, December 3rd from 6 - 10PM. Don your merriest, craziest, most obscure Christmas gear and head to the beautiful Destin Harbor to drink and be merry with your festive friends while enjoying specials, bingo, live music and an Ugly Sweater Contest!
Holiday on the Harbor
6:00PM - 9:00PM || Pub Crawl
7:00 - 9:00PM || Live Music by North Pole Panic
6:00PM || BINGO Card pick up
9:15PM || BINGO Cards must be turned
9:30PM || Raffle
When: December 3rd-4th
Where: Seaside's Central Square Cinema
Description: The most wonderful time of the year will soon be here, and SEASIDE is thrilled to announce the arrival of a new tradition, the SEASIDE Holiday Market. This festive two-day event is set to take place on December 3 and December 4, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Seaside's Central Square.
In addition to the existing shopping and dining experiences available, several SEASIDE merchants will also be hosting Holiday Market pop-ups with unique holiday-themed offerings.
Tuba Christmas
When: December 4th
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: Enjoy some of your favorite holiday classics with Tuba Christmas and visits with Santa at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin on Sunday, December 4th from 5-7pm! It will be a night of fun for the whole Family!
Come out and stroll The Village of Baytowne Wharf after dark. Beautiful holiday decor and sparkling lights throughout the Village will fill your family with the spirit of Christmas. Baytowne on Ice is now open! Click Here for Baytowne on Ice Schedule.
When: December 10th-11th
Where: HarborWalk Village
Description: Celebrate the season with Harborwalk Village at Holiday on the Harbor! Your one-stop shop for holiday gift-getting, the Mistletoe Market is on Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, December 11th along the beautiful Destin Harbor. Enjoy shopping at vendor tents, gift wrapping, festive drink samples, a performance by the Northwest Florida Ballet Academy, and the Destin Boat Parade all in one weekend.
Holiday on the Harbor
Mistletoe Market
Saturday, Dec. 10th || 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, Dec. 11th || 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
When: December 10th
Where: Seaside Amphitheater
Description: Enjoy a beautiful winter night in the Seaside Amphitheater on Saturday, December 10th for a festive holiday concert featuring Sinfonia Gulf Coast performing holiday classics. Concert begins at 5:00 p.m. Bring your blankets and chairs. Free and open to the public.
Follow Seaside - a simple, beautiful life for fun updates and photos of everyone's favorite place by the sea.
Eden Gardens Christmas Candlelight Open House
When: December 10th
Where: Eden Gardens State Park
Description: Eden Gardens will once again illuminate the park for an evening that has become a local holiday tradition. The Friends of Eden Gardens State Park invite the public to the Christmas Candlelight Open House throughout the park grounds on Saturday, December 10th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Everyone's invited! Admission fees to the park are waived for the event. Donations to the Friends of Eden are welcome.
Over 2000 luminaries will be lit and placed along the garden paths of the park, giving the public the opportunity to experience the magic of Eden Gardens at nightfall. There will be music and carolers on the grounds throughout the evening, as well as cookies and hot beverages provided by the Friends of Eden Gardens at the Pavilion area.
When: December 11th
Where: Destin Harbor
Description: The Destin Harbor will be dancing with holiday lights and cheer during the Destin Boat Parade on Sunday, December 11. The celebration begins at 6PM 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.
A fireworks show sponsored by HarborWalk Village will light up the sky at the end of the boat parade. All commercial, charter, and private boats are invited to help light up the Harbor with the true Destin spirit. To enter your boat in the parade stop by the Destin History and Fishing Museum or contact the Destin History & Fishing Museum.
When: December 14th
Where: The Courtyard at Pescado
Description: The Courtyard at Pescado is hosting its first ever Festive Ornament Swap Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This event is 21 and over only. Guests are invited to bring a new, wrapped ornament to swap with other Christmas lovers, sip on festive drinks, and enjoy live music by Barry Fish and the festivities of this magical season.
Purchase tickets HERE. Your ticket will include Passed Hors d'oeuvres and two Festive Drinks from a select menu. Tickets are $59 plus 7% tax and 22% gratuity.
When: December 16th
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: During this holiday season, put a little snark in your holiday spirit with The MEAN One on Friday, December 16th at Baytowne Wharf! Meet the maven of mischief himself for a photo opportunity from 5-7pm, then enjoy a movie showing of Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas starting at 7pm. Don't miss out on this Who-liday spectacular!
All events are free and open to the public.
The Grayt Santa Pub Crawl
When: December 17th
Where: Hurricane Oyster Bar & Various Locations
Description: The Grayt Santa Pub Crawl takes place on Saturday, Dec. 17 featuring a bar crawl and good food & drink all afternoon and into the night in Grayton Beach, Florida. $60 per person to crawl! Big prizes given to the "most naughty Santa", "most nice Santa" and "best group categories". By golly it's a jolly good time!
Register at wholelifefitnessfl.com
Crawl begins with 3PM check in at Hurricane Oyster Bar. Additional stops include: Red Bar, Chiringo, and Beach Camp.
Grab your friends or meet new friends by spreading the holiday “SPIRITS” through Grayton Beach, FL. The GRAYT Santa Pub Crawl hits all the best local bars that beautiful Grayton Beach has to offer. HO HO HO!
When: December 23rd
Where: Watersound Town Center Pavilion
Description: The Watersound community invites to join them for Candy Land Christmas on Friday, December 23rd from 4 - 8PM under The Pavilion at Watersound Town Center. Free and open to the public.
Enjoy live music, face painting, train rides, bounce houses, and slides. Sip hot cocoa with ready to eat foods. Shop the farmers' market featuring culinary goods as well as clothing, jewelry and holiday gifts. Be sure to stick around for a meet and greet with Santa from 5:30PM - 7:30PM!
MONDAYS
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers & Photos With Santa @ The Grand Park (December 19th-23rd)
TUESDAYS
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers & Photos With Santa @ The Grand Park (December 19th-23rd)
WEDNESDAYS
Red Bar Jazz Band @ Red Bar 30A
12 Nights of Lights @ Baytowne Wharf
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers & Photos With Santa @ The Grand Park (December 19th-23rd)
THURSDAYS
Red Bar Jazz Band @ Red Bar 30A
Will Thompson Band @ Louis Louis
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers & Photos With Santa @ The Grand Park (December 19th-23rd)
FRIDAYS
Red Bar Jazz Band @ Red Bar 30A
Live Music @ FOOW
12 Nights of Lights @ Baytowne Wharf
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers & Photos With Santa @ The Grand Park (December 2nd-23rd)
SATURDAYS
Brunch & Live Music @ Scratch Biscuit Kitchen
Sounds of Seaside @ Seaside Amphitheater
Red Bar Jazz Band @ Red Bar 30A
12 Nights of Lights @ Baytowne Wharf
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers & Photos With Santa @ The Grand Park (December 2nd-23rd)
SUNDAYS
Brunch & Live Music @ Fish Out of Water
Live Music @ Red Bar
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers & Photos With Santa @ The Grand Park (December 19th-23rd)
FARMER'S MARKETS
Every Tuesday @ Seaside
Every Thursday @ The Big Chill on 30A
Every Saturday @ Seaside, Grand Boulevard, Watersound & Baytowne
Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach & Hammock Bay
Planning to be in town?
Let's Chat!
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