Emerald Coast Annual Events

January

30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL – An action-packed weekend of original music from some of the country’s best singer/songwriters in intimate settings across South Walton, typically held over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend.

February

SANDESTIN GUMBO FESTIVAL – Known as one of the largest and most popular winter food events on the Emerald Coast, the Sandestin Gumbo Festival in Baytowne Wharf features live music, family activities, and the best gumbo cook-off on the Gulf Coast!

CAMELLIA FESTIVAL – Enjoy the sights and sounds of Eden Gardens State Park during the height of camelia season with this fun annual festival featuring live music, food and beverage vendors, heritage presenters, and master gardeners.

MARDI GRAS DOG PARADE – This may be the most fun Mardi Gras celebration of all! The ever-popular Krewe of Arfeous parade takes place in Sandestin and stars four-legged friends on decorated wagons and golf carts.

SEASIDE HALF MARATHON AND 5K – Sponsored by Vera Bradley, this popular race sells out in advance. It features a weekend-long array of activities such as a silent auction benefiting the Seaside Neighborhood School and the delectable Taste of the Race evening event.

March

UNWINED – One of the top foodie events of the season, this Panama City Beach festival offers two days of extraordinary food, drinks, and music designed to help you unwind including the premier kick-off party presented by Southern Living.

April

SANDESTIN WINE FESTIVAL – Wine lovers can sample over 800 varieties of wine during this four-day festival at Baytowne Wharf, featuring culinary pavilions, live music, retail tents, and much more.

SOUTH WALTON BEACHES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL –

Four days of exciting wine and food tastings, unique seminars, exclusive dinners, and live entertainment at Grand Boulevard Town Center in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

SEABREEZE JAZZ FESTIVAL – Relax and unwind at one of the country’s most acclaimed jazz showcases in Panama City Beach. This event is highly attended by jazz enthusiasts from all over the world.

GRAYTON BEACH KIDS FISHING TOURNAMENT – A day of fun and fishing is in store for the kids with free rod and reel combos, bait and tackle, and cool t-shirts with medals and prizes awarded to the top anglers.

May

ARTSQUEST FINE ARTS FESTIVAL – Over 125 juried artists, exhibiting in over a dozen mediums, fill Grand Boulevard’s Town Center for a weekend of art, food, wine, and great live music, generally held on Mother’s Day weekend.

DIGITAL GRAFFITI – The world’s first projection art festival lights up the white walls of Alys Beach for this one-of-a-kind event. Digital and video artists from around the world compete for cash prizes in this incredible weekend.

TEQUILA & TACO FEST – This three-day festival of culinary events and tastings held in the Village of Baytowne Wharf is sure to delight with local restaurants and food trucks competing for the Best Taco on the Emerald Coast.

June

EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC – This top-rated tournament offers sport fishing enthusiasts the chance to win over $1.4 million in cash prizes. The daily tournament events are family friendly and full of excitement.

GULF COAST JAM – One of the year’s most popular and anticipated events, this three-day music festival in Panama City Beach features country music’s hottest artists at this open-air event.

July

RAGS TO RICHES REGATTA – Spend the day at Grayton Beach watching beautiful rainbow-colored sailboats engage in friendly competition as they race from Grayton to Seagrove Beach.

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS – From Sandestin to 30A, there is no shortage of ways to pay tribute to the U.S.A.! Weekend events include symphony concerts, patriotic parades, and outstanding fireworks displays.

August

PADDLE AT THE PARK – Paddle at the Park is a standup paddleboard race event at Henderson Beach State Park with a Kids’ Fun Paddle, 1-Mile Beginner Ride, 3-Mile Recreational Race, and 6-Mile Elite Race.

September

SANDESTIN TRIATHLON – Benefiting Sacred Heart Hospital, this event has grown to include more than 700 athletes competing in a half-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 20-mile bike ride to Blue Mountain Beach and back, and ending with a 4-mile run through Sandestin.

ALYS BEACH 5K AND 1 MILE FUN RUN – This Labor Day favorite takes you through the stunning streets of Alys Beach and its scenic nature trail for a breathtaking morning race and fun run for the kids.

October

FLUTTERBY FESTIVAL – Celebrating the migration of the Monarch Butterfly, this arts, crafts, and science festival features live music, interactive art activities, live theatre, dance performances, and even a butterfly parade!

ROSEMARY BEACH UNCORKED – A unique fall festival celebrating Rosemary Beach’s eclectic selection of dining establishments featuring specially-prepared cuisine paired with fine wines.

30A HALF MARATHON AND 5K – A scenic out-and-back race through Blue Mountain Beach, this course showcases the beauty of 30A’s west end with an incredible array of events to entertain racers throughout the weekend.

BAYTOWNE WHARF BEER FESTIVAL – A fun-filled weekend celebrating all things beer! This festival features more than 200 domestic and international craft beers available for sampling along with live music.

TRICK OR TREATING – Seaside, Rosemary Beach, and Sandestin are the destinations of choice for Halloween celebrations. Costumed town merchants hand out goodies among dazzling decorations.

November

HARVEST FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL - A fabulous food and wine festival that offers patrons the opportunity to sip and savor a selection of premium wines from around the world while enjoying the beauty of WaterColor.

SEEING RED WINE FESTIVAL – A tradition for over 20 years, Seaside’s Seeing Red Wine Festival includes dozens of tasting tents showcasing hundreds of fine wines from around the globe during its weekend-long festivities.

MOUNTAINFILM FESTIVAL – The alfresco MountainFilm festival features outdoor inspired short documentaries and films, projected against the backdrop of WaterColor’s lakeside amphitheater.

30A 10K AND FUN RUN – An annual fundraising race event for local charities, the 30A 10K is held on Thanksgiving morning in Rosemary Beach and features a fast and flat out-andback route designed for running enthusiasts.

December

DESTIN HARBOR BOAT PARADE – Spend a gorgeous night with nautical holiday lights at this cherished Gulf Coast tradition. It can be viewed from any one of Destin’s many waterfront docks, eateries, or pubs.

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOUR AND OPEN HOUSE –Enjoy a candlelit tour visit in Eden Gardens State Park letting luminaries guide you to the historic Wesley House where decorations and refreshments await.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS – Panama City, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Sandestin, and Destin offer outstanding celebrations of music, fireworks, and fun for the whole family!

Due to the continued strong activity of the first two quarters of 2022, average days on market remained historically low. As inventory increases moving into 2023 in most communities, we expect this trend to change during the new year

98 % 2021

42 2021

98 % 2022

40 2022