Having Fun All Fall!

The Emerald Coast isn't just a great go-to summer vacation spot. Now that fall is in full swing around, we're keeping the fun rolling all year long! The beginning of November brings the start of the holiday season, and we have tons of awesome seasonal events to help you celebrate.

This month, enjoy events such as Baytowne on Ice, the 26th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival, the 9th Annual Blues, Brews, and BBQ Festival, and so much more! Have a gamer or anime-lover in your family? Tickets are still available for FANdom Con Anime Convention, which features live entertainment, contests, and retro gaming rooms, among lots of other awesome things. For your four-legged friends, try the Destin Pooch Palooza at Destin Dog Park. Get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping at the DeFrance Christmas Market, and take pictures with St. Nick himself at Destin Commons.

The area also boasts dozens of awesome outdoor activities this time of year, including hiking and picnicking opportunities at our numerous state parks. For a comprehensive list of activity ideas, pick up our latest issue of Life's a Beach or visit LifesABeachDestin.com.

Reeling Adventures

The summer season brings visitors from all over to THE Emerald Coast to test out their fishing skills here in “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”. The Gulf of Mexico offers a bounty of red snapper, triggerfish, grouper, scamp, amberjack and MORE! Local charter boat Captains and knowledgeable crew provide visiting anglers the perfect opportunity to explore the local waters with loads of fun fishing activities. The Destin Harbor is home to the largest fishing fleet in Florida and the best place to view more than 100 charter boats bring in their daily catch.  Take a walk along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and book your charter experience TODAY!

Just for Kids

When school is out, camp is in! Summer camps are a great way for kids to have fun and learn about new things.  The Emerald Coast has some wonderful opportunities for kids to take advantage of the nature, science, wildlife and art in the area.

Gulfarium Sunset Camp

Gulfarium.com/Sunset_camp

AGES: 6 to 14


Enjoy an evening out while your children have an unforgettable experience at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.  Includes a dockside encounter with a dolphin, exploratory venture along the beach, ocean-themed activities, and dinner alongside the seals.

Summerwild Children’s Camp

Ecwildliferefuge.com

Ages: entering 1st grade- 5th grade

Time: 9am- 3pm

Weekly summer camps held at HarborWalk Village in Destin, offers budding wildlife rehabilitators, marine biologists, and wild animal lovers the chance to expand their knowledge of our amazing native wildlife with daily live animal encounters. Campers will take part in a practice dolphin rescue, collect and identify specimens at the beach, learn to assess wildlife injuries and determine treatments with the ECWR veterinarian, and enjoy camp games and crafts.

Emerald Coast Science Center

http://www.ecscience.org

Ages 5-12

Time 9am-4pm

Learn all about science this summer! Each week the ECSC offers a new and engaging subject. Separate camps are available for ages 5-8 and 9-12.

July 11-15: Dinosaur Adventures

July 18-22: SciWhy Film Making

July 25-29: Interactive Engineering

ADSO- Kids’ Art Camp

Artanddesignsociety.org

Ages 6-11

Time: 9:30am-11:30pm / 1pm-3pm

The Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach now hosts a week long Art Camp, each day campers will be taught a new medium. At the end of week a reception and art show will be held to celebrate what the children have learned!

July 11-15

This weekend the Emerald Coast will celebrate the 4th of July with fun-filled patriotic events throughout the area. Here are a just a few ways for you to enjoy the Red, White & Blue!

July 1st | City of Destin Family Independence Day Celebration & bike parade

Destin's Family Independence Day Celebration & Bike Parade will take place Friday, July 1, from 6-8 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. The event welcomes the entire family with fun activities for children of all ages.The Bike Parade will kick off the celebration at 6 p.m. Children 14 and under are asked to decorate their bike, scooter or wagon with patriotic decorations. Awards will be given for different categories and ages. Parade check-in is at 5:30 p.m. next to the information tent.Following the parade will be live music by local artist Chuck Lawson, a Bocce Ball tournament, moonwalks, face painting and more. Bring your chair, blanket and snacks. Sorry, no pets allowed. CityofDestin.com

July 3rd | The 6^th Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival

The 6th Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival will take place at Destin Commons. Beginning at 5p.m., Enjoy BBQ from all across the Emerald Coast as BBQ Masters compete for the coveted people’s choice award. Face painting, live music, street dancing, and fireworks will also take place. DestinCommons.com

July 4th |  Fourth of July Extravaganza

The Fourth of July Extravaganza on Destin Harbor includes live entertainment, kids’ crafts and face painting, a WWII replica flyover, and you guessed it—fireworks! The event begins at 7 p.m. EmeraldGrande.com

4 Independence Day at The Landing Park

Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Fort Walton Beach Landing Park. Kicking off at 5:30 p.m., there will be live entertainment, children’s activities, and a fantastic fireworks display at 9 p.m.! fwb.org

 

The Weekend is Here!

There are always fun things to do on the Emerald Coast, and this weekend offers up some of the best! Summer is in full swing, so enjoy! Here are a few of our top picks for June 24th, 25th, 26th 2016: 

Daily Events for Summer 2016

The summer season on the Emerald Coast is here!  That means you have the chance to go out and have a great time in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and on Okaloosa Island any day of the week. Fireworks, free concerts, parades, and more will be held throughout the entire summer. Here are a few of our favorite events to add to your calendar...

Memorial Day Weekend on the Emerald Coast!

Memorial day kicks off the summer season on the Emerald Coast with fireworks, outdoor concerts, and fun on the beach! 

Weekly Events

There is always something fun to do on the Emerald Coast! Each week, you can enjoy free concerts, fireworks,  parades, and more. Here are a few of our favorite recurring events for this summer...

Top Events for May 1st - 8th

The Emerald Coast is breathtakingly beautiful in the spring, and May has the warm days and cool nights that are just perfect. Here are a few of our top picks for the first week of May…

Top Events on the Emerald Coast for April 15th - 31st

The Emerald Coast has awesome events all year long, and we have a few tops picks for this month. Be sure to check out our calendar of events for a full list of fun things to do in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, and Destin! 

Mardi Gras on the Emerald Coast

Fat Tuesday is coming up on February, 9th! So, put on your best purple, green, and gold flair, and get ready to celebrate. Here are a few of our favorite events...