Our Top Picks for January 31 – February 1 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Not only does this weekend carry us into the first day of a new month, it’s also Super Bowl Sunday! A few of the happenings around town this weekend are a Travel Expo, Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser and Kids Free Weekend at the Gulfarium! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

The crew wishes everyone a beachy weekend filled with lots of football fun! Go team!

Saturday, January 31, 2015:

Inaugural Travel Expo

Saint Mary Parish Life Center

165 SW Coral Avenue

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser

Destin History & Fishing Museum

108 Stahlman Avenue

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than tasting delicious gumbo and bidding on spectacular auction items?

The Destin History & Fishing Museum announces its Annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser. The event will take place Saturday, January 31, at the Destin Community Center from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Area restaurants and individuals compete for the title of the best gumbo in the panhandle! The event will include live music by a local band and a silent auction of 60-plus items, including artwork, vacation stays, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, boating and fishing trips, services, golf, recreational activities, gift baskets and much more.

Come sample all of the area’s finest gumbo and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Advanced tickets are available now at the museum for $10 per adult. Admission will be $12 at the door the day of the event.

For more information concerning entering your gumbo in the contest, donating an item for the silent auction or coming to enjoy the event, please contact the museum at 850.837.6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@gmail.com.

Kids FREE Weekend at Gulfarium

Jan. 31 – Feb. 1

Gulfarium

1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE

Fort Walton Beach

Kids 12 and under get FREE park admission on Jan 31 and Feb 1 (limit two free kids’ passes per adult). In addition to shows and exhibits, special activities include fishy crafts and access to our custom aquarium bounce house. Gulfarium.com

Sunday, February 1, 2015:

Winter Guest Concert Series

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Shake off the chills of winter with free, live music on HarborWalk Village’s main stage! All winter guests and locals are invited to enjoy an inspirational concert!

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

Our Top Picks for December 19-21 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend, enjoy local, ongoing holiday events from a live nativity to a theater production! 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!

Weeklong event, December 15-21, 2014:

Live Nativity at First Baptist Church of FWB

Corner of Shell and 2^nd Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 20, 2014:
Santa Claus is Coming to Party City in Uptown Station

Downtown Fort Walton Beach Holiday Market

Visit with Santa

December 20-21

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.

A Dickens Christmas
Dec. 20-21
EmeraldCoastTheatre.org

Sunday, December 21, 2014:

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

Our Top Picks for December 5-7 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend’s calendar features a few art-inspired events as well as holiday-inspired ones. 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, December 5, 2014:

A Christmas Carol

(December 5 – 6)

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Sprint Theater

100 College Boulevard

Niceville

The classic Charles Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol” takes a delightful twist December 5 and 6 in a customized adaption by Northwest Florida State College that combines lively music and song, along with acting, period costumes, narration, set design and more to bring to life the story of Tiny Tim, Scrooge, Bob Crachitt and the spirits of Christmas. Included in the ticket price of $25/each will be Victorian-style desserts and beverages. The event will feature performances in the Sprint Theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and an additional show on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Call or click for tickets through the Mattie Kelly Arts Center box office at 850.729.6000 or online at MattieKellyArtsCenter.org. In-person tickets sales are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Mattie Kelly Arts Center is located on the Niceville campus of NWF State College at 100 College Boulevard.

Sounds of the Season

Saturday, December 6, 2014:

Visit with Santa

December 6 – 7

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.

Breakfast with Santa at Bubba Gump

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

14059 Emerald Coast Parkway

Destin

Time: 8 a.m.

Make your reservations today for breakfast with Santa! This event includes a breakfast buffet, fun activities and free goodies for kids, and, of course, Shrimp Louie and Santa Claus. To be entered into the raffle, please bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots. For more information, please contact 850.650.1881.

Christmas Market: Holiday Open House

Emerald Coast Science Center

31 S. Memorial Parkway, behind the baseball field

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Crafts, games, giveaways and holiday treats. Plus, holiday shopping from vendors all over the Emerald Coast!

*The Emerald Coast Science Center officially has a new home located at 31 S. Memorial Parkway. In celebration of their new location, the center will host many community events to welcome the guests and families of the Gulf Coast! A complete list of events will be posted soon. For more information, please call 850.664.1261.

Sunday, December 7, 2014:

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.

“A White Tie Holiday” Youth Orchestra & White Tie Rock Ensemble

Northwest Florida State College

100 College Boulevard

Niceville

Time: 2 p.m.

Have a “White Tie Holiday” with the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (NFSYO) at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. The NFSYO welcomes back the White Tie Rock Ensemble of Pensacola for a Christmas music extravaganza. This event features the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, holiday tunes, favorite holiday movie moments, a carol sing along and a multimedia light show.

The event is free with donations accepted at the door to support the youth orchestra programs of Northwest Florida State College. The concert will be held in the Mainstage Theater at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College at 100 College Boulevard.

The White Tie Rock Ensemble comprises five professional musicians of guitar, drums, bass, keyboard and vocals who reproduce the classic rock sounds of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s throughout northwest Florida and south Alabama. The group’s founder, Jonathan Clark, is also trained as a classical musician and heads the Escambia County Youth Orchestra programs.

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

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