The Town of Shalimar annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is Saturday, November 30th from 5:30 to 6:30pm. Enjoy Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and music from Emerald Coast Chorus. Followed by the tree lighting at the town hall and the illumination of lights in Marquee Park.
The City of Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade is Monday, December 2nd at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Winter Sports.” View the parade all along Eglin Parkway from First Street to Hughes Street. Look for Coast 93.3 in the parade with our friends from Elite Jeeps and Pepper’s Mexican Grill.
The City of Destin’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at the Destin Community Center on Thursday, December 5th at 6pm. The outdoor event includes music performances, hot chocolate and cookies & a visit from Santa. Donations of one non-perishable food item are requested.
Don’t miss the 8th annual Festival of Trees at Emerald Coast Harley Davidson on Thursday, December 5th from 6:30pm to 9. Decorated trees will be raffled, plus live music and other auction items to benefit Safe Connections.
Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s Winter Wonderland is December 6th and 7th from 5pm-9pm at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds. Entry to the Wonderland is one new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or a donation for Panhandle Animal Welfare Society. Stroll down Pallet House Land, drink hot chocolate, meet Santa and your local police officers.
Crestview’s Annual Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 7th. This year’s theme is “Santa’s Workshop. The tree lighting is at 5, the parade at 5:30 on Main Street.
The Niceville – Valparaiso Community Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 7th at 10am, on Marc Smith Blvd, sponsored by the Rotary Club. This year’s theme, “The Magic of Christmas.”
Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce 30th annual “Christmas In The Park” is Saturday, December 7th from 10 to 4. Plus a Merry Market with local arts and craftss all day long and the Christmas parade at 1 beginning at the Navarre Library.
Special Forces Association Chapter 7 presents the 46th annual Jingle Bell Jog 5K/10K run/walk. It’s Saturday, December 7th at The Island Resort on Okaloosa Island and includes a Kids Fun Run!
Pancakes with Santa, to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund for the Salvation Army is Saturday morning, December 7th from 7:30 to 10:30. It’s hosted by the Magnolia Grille on Brooks Street in downtown Fort Walton Beach.
The Navarre Chamber Foundation Jingle Bell Run/Walk is Saturday, December 7th at 8am at the Holley/Navarre Main Fire Station. Run, walk or crawl any distance, including “shortcuts to grandma’s house.” Show up with bells on! Strollers and leashed pets are welcome.
The Gulf Breeze Zoo 4th annual Christmas ZOObilee is December 7th and 8th from 11-3 at the zoo. The fun includes live music, winter themed bounce stations, Candy Cane holiday market, meet Santa and his merry friends, and so much more around the entire zoo.
The First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach presents the annual “Live Nativity” December 13th through December 20th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the corner of Church & 2nd Street. It’s a free event. More details at the church website.
The Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus presents “Comfort & Joy,” at Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium. Enjoy the annual holiday concert performance on at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, December 13th & 14th and Sunday, December 15th at 3pm
The Gulf Breeze Zoo 4th annual Christmas ZOObilee is December 14th and 15th from 11-3 at the zoo. The fun includes live music, winter themed bounce stations, Candy Cane holiday market, meet Santa and his merry friends, and so much more around the entire zoo.
The 21st Annual Defuniak Springs Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 14th at 1pm at Circle Drive at lake Defuniak. It’s sponsored by the Defuniak Springs Women’s Club.
Join Sinfonia Gulf Coast for “The Grinch in Concert” on Saturday, December 14th at 7:30pm at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. The entire family will enjoy this live performance of the James Horner film score from Ron Howard’s film as movie magic unfolds on the screen.
The City of Destin’s Annual Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 14th at 10 am. The floats will start at the Destin Methodist Church on Beach Drive and travel west down Harbor Boulevard to Stahlman* Avenue. (*Stall-man) Watch from the north side of Harbor Boulevard. This year’s theme “Flashback to 1984” honors Destin’s 40th birthday.
The 9th Annual Niceville Ugly Sweater Run/Walk is Saturday, December 14th at Hurricane Grill & Wings in Bluewater Bay. The 5K is open to all ages at 8am, with a 1-mile fun run for kids 12 & under. Proceeds benefit the Niceville High School Track & Field Facilities Fund.
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida’s Yule of Yesteryear is December 14th! Crafts, food trucks, local choirs, letters to Santa, and last-minute Christmas gift ideas, from 10 – 4 at the museum, in Valparaiso.
Reindeer Dash 5K/10K run/walk is on Saturday, December 14th at 8am. The run is on a flat course through the Beachview area with an awards ceremony afterwards at AJ’s on the Bayou. The event benefits Fort Walton Beach Fire Department’s Toy Drive.
The 38th Annual Destin Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade is Sunday, December 15th at 6pm. This annual event is presented by Destin History & Fishing Museum.
Experience the annual Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. See dazzling light displays as you stroll the garden estate and tour the beautifully decorated home. The estate is open nightly through January 5th, except Christmas & New Year’s Day.
Emerald Coast Theatre Company performs “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. Music unfolds on the battlefield as soldiers lay down their weapons to celebrate Christmas together with song. Performances are Thursday through Sunday nights with special matinee performances through December 22nd, on stage at Grand Boulevard. Details at Emerald Coast Theater dot org.
