Make Your Stay

A Guide to Emerald Coast events

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

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 and crafts, and kids activities.

destinseafoodfest.com

October

BEST OF THE EMERALD COAST

The public is invited to celebrate the best of the best businesses as voted by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine at the annual Best of the Emerald Coast winners’ party. Guests will enjoy an evening of live music, visual arts, delightful cuisine, and refreshing libations. Each year’s event will benefit a deserving local charity or nonprofit organization.

emeraldcoastmagazine.com/bestofec

PANAMA CITY BEACH FISHING RODEO

The fishing tournament is a three-weekend, 17-day event with two weigh-ins daily. Competitors will pursue 11 species from shore, boats, paddleboards, kayaks, and more. There will be live music and food vendors 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

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 kids parade, a treasure hunt, a costume contest, live music, food vendors, fireworks, and more.

visitpanamacitybeach.com/pirates-of-the-high-seas-fest

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

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

One of the Southeast’s premier juried art festivals showcases more than 100 artists selling original artwork on the Dugas Pavilion green in Destin, continuous live music, local performing arts groups, live artist demos, children’s creative activities, food truck fare, beer, wine, and Bloody Mary bar, and more. Proceeds benefit Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and its ArtsReach programs.

mkaf.org

November

SEEING RED WINE FESTIVAL

Wine lovers flock to Seaside for this annual wine weekend filled with world-class wines, intimate vintner dinners, grand tastings, coastal cuisine, and memorable moments by the Gulf. Proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and other local charities.

seasideseeingred.com

ALYS BEACH CRAFTED

Alys Beach Crafted invites you to gather with food and drink masters 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 Soiree. All proceeds will benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.

alysbeachcrafted.com

IRONMAN FLORIDA

The official Ironman Florida triathlon race takes place along the coast of Panama City Beach each year. Triathletes are challenged to complete a 2.4- mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, followed by a 112-mile bike ride, and finish with a 26.2-mile run.

ironman.com/races/im-florida

December

COASTAL CHRISTMAS

Gather at Grand Boulevard with family and friends to enjoy a holiday music revue, photos with Santa, horse-drawn  carriage rides, and don’t miss the Festival of Trees while there.

grandboulevard.com

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

PHOTOS BY MAX IMPACT PHOTOGRAPHY (BEST OF EC) AND BOO MEDIA COURTESY OF VISIT PANAMA CITY BEACH