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. 

Our Top Picks for December 12-14 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend’s calendar of events features holiday events GALORE. If you feel like really getting into the holiday spirit of Santa Claus, Christmas carols, parades and more, then there is no doubt you’ll find an event that interests you! 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 wonderful and safe weekend! Enjoy!

Saturday, December 13, 2014:

City of Destin’s 30^th Annual Christmas Parade

Time: 10 a.m.

This year’s theme is “Christmas Trees & Memories, Celebrating Destin’s 30 Years.” The floats will start at Downtown Destin Shopping Center (Old Time Pottery) and travel West down Harbor Blvd. (Hwy. 98) to Nightown on Stahlman Avenue. Please stand on the north side of Harbor Blvd. to watch the floats.

A Dickens Christmas

Photos provided by Emerald Coast Theatre Company.

Visit with Santa

December 13-14

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: noon – 4 p.m.

Children can bring their wish list to Santa! All of Santa’s guests receive a special treat.

2^nd Saturday Market

23 Eglin Parkway SE

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

There will be vendors set up outside with Christmas decor, Christmas gift items, furniture, shabby/chic, hand crafted items, home decor, home furnishings and so much more. Hamburgers and hotdogs will also be available for those who work up an appetite from shopping!

The Voices of Christmas at FWB First United Methodist Church

Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church

103 First Street SE

Fort Walton Beach

Located off of Highway 98, behind De' France Antiques and Flea Market

Time: 7-8:15 p.m.

The story of Christmas will unfold through the “voices” of witnesses (narration) echoed by the voices of the choir singing familiar holiday carols along with new Christmas anthems.

Lunch With Santa

AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar

116 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 1-3 p.m.

Head on over to AJ's after the Destin Christmas Parade for "Lunch with Santa"! This is a free, family event for everyone to enjoy. There will be live music with Cheryl Jones, arts & crafts with Build-A-Bear, cookie decorating, games, a Home Depot workshop, face painting, a bouncy house and so much more! You can also visit with Santa and tell him what you’d like for Christmas!

Sunday, December 14, 2014:

Destin Harbor Boat Parade

HarborWalk Village

Destin

Time: 6 p.m.

The Destin Harbor will be dancing with holiday lights and cheer during the 28^th Annual Destin Boat Parade. Come enjoy live music, children’s arts and crafts, and hot chocolate! Visit Santa Claus from noon to 4 p.m. The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. Following the parade, will be a spectacular fireworks display over the Destin Harbor.

ARTwalk on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Art event along the Destin Boardwalk from HarborWalk Village to AJ’s, featuring local and regional artists and vendors. This event is free to the public and takes place on the third Sunday of every month.

Breakfast with Santa at Emerald Grande

Grande Vista Bar and Grill, located inside Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 8-11 a.m.

Bring the holiday season to life! Children can enjoy a delicious and festive breakfast with Santa at the Grande Vista Bar and Grill! For reservations, please contact 850.424.0621.

Some Sunday Brunch spots in and around Destin:

Crab Island Cantina, Destin Harbor crabislandcantina.com

Harry T’s, Destin Harbor harryts.com

Angler’s Beachside Grill, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk anglersgrill.com

McGuire’s Irish Pub, Destin mcguiresirishpub.com

*For a full, detailed list of holiday events taking place on the Destin Harbor this weekend, check out destinchamber.com/events/Holiday.

Our Top Picks for November 21-23 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

The weather temperatures are warming up this weekend! Friday-Sunday you can enjoy a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, The Nutcracker ballet performance, Santa’s Holiday Arrival 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 wonderful and safe weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, November 21, 2014:

Christmas Tree Lighting at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island

1450 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 5:30-8 p.m.

Saturday, November 22, 2014:

Santa’s Holiday Arrival and Fireworks at Destin Commons

Destin Commons

4300 Legendary Drive Ste. 200

Destin

Time: 5–7 p.m.

Photo credit: Destin Commons

Santa Claus is coming to town at Destin Commons! At 6:45 p.m., join in Santa’s arrival with a festive holiday celebration parade down Main Street and the official lighting of the center’s spectacular 50-foot Christmas tree. Delight in a fireworks finale to kick off the holiday season. Activities and entertainment for the whole family include Christmas carolers, musicians playing traditional holiday favorites, kids’ craft projects by Abrakadoodle, and free photos with Santa at Bass Pro Shops. Kids can visit Santa at Bass Pro Shops throughout the rest of November and December. Visit BassPro.com for Santa’s hours. For more information, visit DestinCommons.com or check out their Facebook page.

NWFL Ballet - The Nutcracker

Nov. 22-23

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

100 College Boulevard

Niceville

The Northwest Florida Ballet presents the holiday favorite "The Nutcracker" in the Mainstage theater at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 23. Advance tickets will be available for purchase through the NWF Ballet. To purchase tickets, visit purchase.tickets.com. Please contact the Ballet at 850.664.7787 or visit NFBallet.org for more information.

Thanksgiving on the Destin Harbor - Emerald Grande

Nov. 22 – Dec. 3

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Enjoy a relaxing holiday at Emerald Grande where a chef will prepare dinner for your private suite and a full-service staff will return, clean and pack leftovers, then pour after-dinner drinks and serve dessert to you and your family. Room rates starting at $225. Enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast at Grande Vista Bar and Grill and make your Thanksgiving GRANDE.

Sunday, November 23, 2014:

City of Fort Walton Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony

FWB Landing

139 Brooks Street SE

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 4 p.m.

Photo credit: City of Fort Walton Beach

Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 23, as the City of Fort Walton Beach presents its annual, waterfront Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. The program kicks off when Santa arrives by fire truck at the Landing. Be sure to bring your camera (and your Christmas list) because Santa will be in the Landing Park gazebo to visit with all until 7 p.m. 

Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, longtime local favorite actor will read “Elf on the Shelf”. Local entertainer, Reid Soria of Autism Sings, will sing Christmas carols around the tree leading up to the official lighting of the City of Fort Walton Beach Christmas Tree. Mayor Mike Anderson will be on hand to do the honors, kicking off the holiday season in grand style.

  

Don’t forget to stick around for the outdoor movie—The Polar Express, starting at 6 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the show! Fantasea Faces will be on hand for face painting and hot chocolate and other concessions will be available throughout the event. Bring the whole family and kick off the 2014 holiday season in style! For more information about the city’s holiday events, please call 850.833.9576 or visit FWB.org/Holidays2014.

Some Sunday Brunch spots in and around Destin:

Crab Island Cantina, Destin Harbor crabislandcantina.com

Harry T’s, Destin Harbor harryts.com

Angler’s Beachside Grill, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk anglersgrill.com

McGuire’s Irish Pub, Destin mcguiresirishpub.com