Thursday, December 17, 2015

Happy Holidays from the Emerald Coast!





The Emerald Coast is a beautiful place to spend the holidays, and we definitely know how to celebrate! The month of December is filled with festive events for the whole family to enjoy! We have put together a list of our favorite things to do while spending the holidays on the coast. 

Baytowne On Ice
November 1 - January 31
The Baytowne Wharf Apex Skating Pavilion is a winter wonderland where you can actually go ice-skating in Florida! In December, bring an unopened toy and get BOGO entry. Visit baytownewharf.com for details. 

Toys for Tots: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
November 18 - December 20
Bring in an unwrapped toy and get $5 off admission to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! For more information call 850-243-9046 or visit gulfarium.com for details.  

Zoo Lights at the Gulf Breeze Zoo

November 27 - December 27
Enjoy the zoo while it’s lit up with thousands of lights! Friday, November 27th guests receive FREE admission to Zoo Lights with a Toys for Tots donation. Visit gulfbreezezoo.org for details.

Charles Dickens story A Christmas Tale
December
The Baytowne Wharf Events Plaza presents the Charles Dickens story A Christmas Tale every Friday and Saturday at 6pm. On Wednesday nights stop by for live caroling by local choirs.

The Twelve Nights of Lights
December
Baytowne Wharf presents an extravagant light show set to holiday music every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening in December.  

Visit with Santa at HarborWalk Village
December 19 & 20 12pm - 4pm
Visit Santa at HarborWalk Village and receive a special treat! For more information, visit emeraldgrande.com. 

Destin Nights' Santa Claus Pub Crawl
December 19
Put on your most festive holiday gear and strut along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. The party kicks off at 6pm! For tickets visit eventbrite.com.

11th Annual Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Children's Fiesta
December 19
The 11th Annual “EMERALD COAST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE” Needy Children’s Fiesta is five hours of Latin-themed fun! Did we mention everything is free and everyone is welcome? Celebrate the season with this great cause on December 19th from 2pm - 7pm. For more information, visit emeraldcoastfl.com. 


Tuesday, September 22, 2015

2015 Destin Seafood Festival

Destin Seafood Festival
Like Festivals? Like Seafood? Like enjoying gorgeous fall weather with fellow seafood enthusiasts? Look no further than the Destin Seafood Festival. Yes, Destin is known for its fishing, and you can experience its glorious bounty fried, grilled, blackened, poached, sautéed, seared, broiled, stewed, simmered, or all of the above! Come out and experience fresh seafood straight from the Gulf of Mexico, served with a side of Southern hospitality.


Cost of admission: FREE (Yea, I know, right?)


Times: Friday, October 2nd, 4 pm - 10 pm
            Saturday, October 3rd, 10 am - 10 pm
            Sunday, October 4th, 11 am - 4 pm


Where: Destin Harbour Boardwalk, 102 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541

For more information destinseafoodfestival.org

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

July 6-12 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast


Throughout this week and into the weekend, the Emerald Coast entertainment will continue with concerts, fireworks, kids’ camps and with an added bonus—Shark Week! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

The Life's A Beach crew wishes everyone a safe and beachy week/weekend! Enjoy!



July 6-12

Shark Week Fun for the Kids at the Gulfarium

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

1010 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island


At this week’s MKAF Concerts in the Village Summer Concert Series, The Mulligans will own the stage with their classic ‘60s & ‘70s dance music!

Join the Gulfarium as they celebrate one of the ocean's most fascinating creatures with shark-related activities, specials and discounts throughout the park all week long!



Activities

Shark Feeds

Can you determine "fin fact" from "fin fiction"? Here's your chance to learn more about the incredible sharks that live at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! The park’s knowledgeable aquarists will conduct a special, shark feeding once daily at each of their shark habitats, including:

9:30 a.m. Stingray Bay - Bonnethead sharks and Whitespotted bamboo sharks

11:45 a.m. Living Sea - Blacktip reef sharks

1:30 p.m. Living Sea - Wobbegong sharks

2:30 p.m. Shark Moat - Lemon sharks and Nurse sharks



Kids’ Crafts

Kids of all ages will enjoy the opportunity to make their own shark creation. Available between 10:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the Living Sea.



Shark Fin Scavenger Hunt

This zany scavenger hunt will have your kids roaming the park to scout out hidden shark fins, each containing a fun fact about our finned friends. Turn in your completed fact sheet for a fun prize!



Aquarium Bounce House

Kids of all ages can bounce around in the park’s custom, aquarium-themed bounce house!



Discounts & Specials

Beginning July 6, get $5 off your Stingray Bay Snorkel encounter! Call 850.243.9046 or use online code SHARKWEEK for $5 off. Offer available between July 6-12 and the encounter can be booked for any available date up until September 7, 2015. Cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount. Cannot be combined with Sunrise Special discount. Discounted Reef Shark ICEE drinks, Lemon Shark iced teas and a special Shark Head Popcorn bucket. Discounts on shark-themed merchandise in Fins Gifts retail store. Stay tuned for more at Gulfarium.com/Shark_Week.



July 6-11

Emerald Coast Theatre Company Presents 2015 Children's Theater Camp: Camp Broadway

Seaside Neighborhood School

10 Smolian Circle

Santa Rosa Beach



Summertime means letting your heart sing. Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC), a not-for-profit professional theater company based in Miramar Beach, Florida, has launched its 2015 summer theater camp series designed with kids in mind. ECTC’s third annual children’s theater summer series, presented with support from the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, features the following program:



Camp Broadway  (One week, Monday through Friday)

Let the Broadway rhythm get you! Come act, sing and dance your heart out to popular Broadway tunes as we learn songs and simple choreography to some of the musical numbers from Broadway. We'll play improvisation and theater games, too. Watch out parents, we'll wow you with a performance the last day of camp. Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Grades 3 through 10. $150 tuition per child. To register your child for this exciting camp, please visit docs.google.com/forms.



Thursday, July 9, 2015:

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Presents: The Mulligans

4323 Commons Drive West

Destin

Time: 7 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m.

Please note: This is the final week of concerts for this series!



During this fantastic and energetic outdoor event, a band plays for a crowd spanning the grass that the Dugas Pavilion overlooks. The audience can bring their own food and drinks to enjoy, or they can purchase them on site. Also, be sure to bring lawn chairs or towels to sit on. Come ready for a night of upbeat tunes and a spectacular performance that you won’t forget!



The cost for this great event is $10 per adult and children under 12 get in for free. For more information, please visit MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org or call 850.650.2226.



Red, White and Blue Celebration

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 7 p.m.



The Red, White and Blue Celebration is a weekly honoring of a local hero. The celebrations highlight the efforts of people who go above and beyond to better their community. Enjoy live entertainment, kids’ crafts, face painting and a vintage WWII aircraft flyover. The evening is topped off by a spectacular fireworks display over Destin Harbor at 9 p.m. This week, Avery Hatchett of SEA Chase Watersports will be honored. Avery’s heroic actions helped save a family from drowning at Crab Island. For more information, please visit EmeraldGrande.com.



Saturday, July 11, 2015:

Downtown Fort Walton Beach Farmer’s Market

DeFrance Antiques and Collectables

230 Eglin Parkway

Fort Walton Beach



The Downtown FWB Farmer's Market is open the second Saturday of every month, beginning in March and continuing through October. The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. An array of vendors set up with many different locally grown and handmade items such as fresh, farm produce and fruit, including Asian pears, local honey, grass-fed beef, baked goods, fresh eggs, jams, jellies, handmade soaps and scrubs, and so much more! Feel free to stroll the streets of Downtown Fort Walton Beach after the Farmer’s Market and check out the local flavor and southern hospitality. The community offers many unique boutiques, restaurants and bars, perfect for a Saturday afternoon outing!



Every Saturday night throughout the summer, come on out for free concerts on the HarborWalk Village stage! All concerts are open to the public. For more information, please call 850.424.0600.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Our Top Picks for July 2-4 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast


Our Top Picks for July 2-4 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast



Throughout the upcoming holiday weekend, the Emerald Coast is bustling with concerts, fireworks, an annual BBQ competition and more! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.



The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a safe and beachy Fourth of July weekend! Enjoy!





Thursday, July 2, 2015:

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Presents: David Seering

4323 Commons Drive West

Destin

Time: 7 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m.






At this week’s MKAF Concerts in the Village Summer Concert Series performance, David Seering—A Celebration of American Music will take the stage!



During this fantastic and energetic outdoor event, a band plays for a crowd spanning the grass that the Dugas Pavilion overlooks. The audience can bring their own food and drinks to enjoy, or they can purchase them on site. Also, be sure to bring lawn chairs or towels to sit on. Come ready for a night of upbeat tunes and a spectacular performance that you won’t forget!



The cost for this great event is $10 per adult and children under 12 get in for free. For more information, please visit MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org or call 850.650.2226.



Red, White and Blue Celebration

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 7 p.m.



The Red, White and Blue Celebration is a weekly honoring of a local hero. The celebrations highlight the efforts of people who go above and beyond to better their community. Enjoy live entertainment, kids’ crafts, face painting and a vintage WWII aircraft flyover. The evening is topped off by a spectacular fireworks display over Destin Harbor at 9 p.m.



Friday, July 3, 2015:

5th Annual Smoke on the Coast

Destin Commons

4300 Legendary Drive

Destin

Time: 5 p.m. - until





Have a fun-filled evening kicking off the Fourth of July holiday weekend at the 5th Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival! Twenty area restaurants and BBQ aficionados will light up their grills to prepare their best dishes. Starting at 5 p.m., for $1 per sampling, people get to vote for People’s Choice winners with proceeds benefiting Children in Crisis, Food For Thought and Building Homes for Heroes.



Kids’ activities, face painting, street performers and continuous live music, including DJ Mack, The Wide Open and Heritage will keep the party going. The evening will end with an Independence Day firework extravaganza.



For more information, follow Destin Commons on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.



Concerts at the Landing, featuring Continuum

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.





This weekly event, that has been going on since May 1, is coming to an end THIS week. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler, and sit back and relax in the company of great tunes!



Downtown FWB Art Walk

139 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.



The Downtown FWB Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of every month, beginning in March and ending in November. It features local art across a variety of mediums. There is something for everyone—rom an array of local art and jewelry to many other handmade creations. Stroll the sidewalk, check out all of the fun and unique businesses, listen to local music and be amazed by our local artists. It’s a great way to support our local community and start off your Friday evening downtown!



Saturday, July 4, 2015:

4th of July Extravaganza on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 5:30-10 p.m.

Spirits will soar and flags will wave as July 4th festivities kick off at HarborWalk Village with live music on the main stage, fireworks over the Destin Harbor and one big American celebration on Florida's Emerald Coast!

Let freedom, ring, rock and roll with a charming trio—the Victory Belles! Revive WWII classics in throwback, tailored dresses, coiffed curls, red lipstick and vintage charm at 5:30 p.m. on the main stage. The patriotic salute continues with authentic American Honky Tonk by The Modern Eldorados at 7 p.m., blending rockabilly with traditional country music. The band pays tribute to the essence of Ray Price, Webb Pierce, Hank Williams and Carl Perkins.

Grab a good seat because the celebration ends with a bang. Fireworks will glitter in the sky at 9 p.m. over the Destin Harbor!