Things to See and Do
Fall is festival season on the Emerald Coast! Here is a mere sampling of the food, fun and festivities going on this fall
July
Red, White & Baytowne
Enjoy fun in the sun during the day, and light up your night with fireworks. The Village of Baytowne Wharf will host an Independence Day celebration featuring live music, crafts, face painting, family activities and, of course, fireworks! BaytowneWharf.com
Real. Fun. Fourth
Panama City Beach celebrates Independence Day with a massive fireworks show. For three nights, visitors and locals alike can witness the wonderful display from various locations along the water. VisitPanamaCityBeach.com/events/holiday-events/realfunfourth
August
Bubbly Baytowne
Sip and shop through the streets of The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Enjoy free champagne while shopping with participating merchants. BaytowneWharf.com
September
Destin Seafood Festival
The Destin Seafood Festival presents the freshest catches the Gulf has to offer. Seafood lovers won’t want to miss this opportunity to dine and shop your way along the historic Destin Harbor and HarborWalk Village while enjoying live music, arts, crafts and kids activities. DestinSeafoodFest.com
Pensacola Seafood Festival
Indulge in delectable seafood, revel in diverse musical performances, and soak in the charm of historic downtown Pensacola at the Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival, organized by Fiesta Pensacola. As one of the most significant arts and crafts fairs in Northwest Florida, the festival features over 150 artisans and craftsmen who journey from across the country to partake in this vibrant celebration. VisitPensacola.com/events/pensacolaseafoodfestival
October
Best of the Emerald Coast. Photo by Epic Photo Co
October 10 – Best of the Emerald Coast
The public is invited to celebrate the annual Best of the Emerald Coast event to celebrate the best of the best businesses as voted by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine. The celebratory Winners Soirée will be held at Grand Boulevard where guests will enjoy an evening of stimulating senses with live music, visual arts, delightful cuisine and refreshing libations. The winner of the Best Charity/Nonprofit will receive an exclusive in-kind support from Emerald Coast Magazine. EmeraldCoastMagazine.com/bestofec.
Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo
The fishing tournament is a three-weekend, 17-day event with two weigh-ins daily. This year will feature competition in 11 species that anglers may pursue from shore, boats, paddleboards, kayaks and more. There will be live music and food sponsors daily. PCBFishingRodeo.com
Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival
The Village of Baytowne Wharf presents its annual festive beer tasting featuring over 200 domestic and international beers, food samples, live music and more. Taste local brews while chatting with the brewers themselves. BaytowneBeerFestival.com
Pirates of the High Seas and Renaissance Fest
Photo by Mike Fender courtesy of Visit Panama City Beach
Ahoy, mateys! In celebration of the marauders who once sailed the Gulf, pirates will invade Panama City Beach for a weekend of activities including a big parade, a kid’s parade, a treasure hunt, a costume contest, live music, food vendors, fireworks and more. VisitPanamaCityBeach.com
Harvest Wine & Food Festival
Epicurean excellence awaits at this festival, which merges fine wines and culinary creations. The weekend features wine dinners, vendor tents, a silent auction and a grand tasting with over 400 wines from around the world. DCWAF.org/harvest-festival
Pensacola Taste of the Beach Festival
Pensacola’s best restaurants will showcase their signature dishes ready for the tasting. Attendees can vote for the Best Signature Dish. The event will also include cooking classes, kid’s activities, merchandise tents and live music. PensacolaBeachChamber.com/tob/
November
Alys Beach Crafted
Alys Beach Crafted invites you to gather with masters of food and drink and renowned craftspeople from around the country sharing the products of their crafts. Events include the Makers Market, Firkin Fête, Cocktail Seminars and a Spirited Soirée. All proceeds will benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. AlysBeachCrafted.com
Foo Foo Festival
This 12-day celebration of the arts includes a diverse array of cultural and creative experiences from theater performances to art installations to improv and songwriters nights. FooFooFest.com
Pensacola Beach Art and Wine Festival
Sip, stroll and shop down the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk which will be lined with art and beverage vendors. Sample fine wines while perusing art from local artisans. PensacolaBeachChamber.com/
art-wine-festival
Florida Seafood Festival Apalachicola
The state’s oldest maritime event is held in Apalachicola including tons of fresh seafood, the blessing of the fleet, the redfish run, the grand parade, blue crab races, oyster shucking and oyster eating contests, live music and over 100 arts and crafts vendors. FloridaSeafoodFestival.com
December
12 Nights of Lights
During December at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, enjoy a festive light show every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday leading up to Christmas. This sparkling event will also be featured during the special holiday edition of the Wednesday Night Concert Series. BaytowneWharf.com
Save the Date
30A Songwriters Festival
Jan. 16–20, 2025
Photo by Nathan Zucker courtesy of 30A Songwriters Festival
Co-produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and Russell Carter Artist Management, the 30A Songwriters Festival celebrates 16 years Jan. 16–20, 2025, with over 175 artists performing original songs in more than 30 venues and dedicated listening rooms throughout South Walton, Florida. Visit 30ASongwritersFestival.com for more information.
