Holiday Happenings, sponsored by Diana Health
The City of Fort Walton Beach will hold its annual “Light Up the Night” Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. Be there on Friday, November 28th at 5pm for caroling from the Community Chorus and hot coffee & cocoa.
Grab your crew and make Black Friday a feel-good tradition at Gulf Breeze Zoo. Bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more for Toys for Tots and get 50% off any single-day ticket for each guest who donates. The Toys for Tots event is November 28th from 9am to 4pm
The Freedom Tree lighting festival featuring the tallest Christmas tree in the area, is Saturday, November 29th from 3 to 5pm at the Freedom Tech Center. Enjoy live music, photos with Santa, holiday shopping and letters to Santa.
Santa Claus is coming to Downtown Fort Walton Beach at the downtown Holiday market on Saturday, November 29th from 9 to 4 at the Landing. Local vendors, cookie decorating, live music and festive fun for all ages – including photos with Mr & Mrs Claus.
The Town of Shalimar annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is Saturday, December 6th at 5pm. Enjoy food and drinks, face painting, performances and photo opportunities with Santa and The Grinch.
The City of Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade is Monday, December 1st at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Zoo Animals.” View the parade all along Eglin Parkway from First Street to Hughes Street. Look for Coast 93.3 in the parade with our friends from Pepper’s Mexican Grill.
The City of Destin’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at the Destin Community Center on Thursday, December 4th at 6pm. The outdoor event includes music performances, hot chocolate and cookies & a visit from Santa. Donations of one non-perishable food item will be collected for families in need.
Don’t miss the 9th annual Festival of Trees at Emerald Coast Harley Davidson on Thursday, December 4th from 6:30pm to 9. Decorated trees will be raffled, plus live music and other auction items to benefit Safe Connections.
Experience the magic of holiday baking delights at Cookie Crawl: Crumbs of Joy! It’s Thursday, December 11th, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at Warrior’s Hall on Stillwell Blvd in Crestview. Admission is $10.00. Or pay $20. And get a box to fill with holiday cookies. Children 10 and under are free and proceeds benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.
Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s Winter Wonderland is December 12th and 13th from 6pm-8pm at the Rigdon Center on Lewis Turner Blvd. Entry to the Wonderland is one new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or a donation for Panhandle Animal Welfare Society. Stroll down Pallet House Land, drink hot chocolate, meet Santa and your local police officers.
Crestview’s Annual Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 6th. This year’s theme is “A Storybook Christmas. The tree lighting is at 5, and the parade is at 5:30 rolling down Main Street.
The Niceville – Valparaiso Community Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 6th at 10am, on Marc Smith Blvd, sponsored by the Rotary Club. This year’s theme, “Unite for the Holidays”
Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce 31st annual “Christmas In The Park” is Saturday, December 6th. The day begins with the Jingle Bell Run at 8am, then from 10 to 4, the Merry Market with local arts and craft vendors all day long. And don’t miss the Christmas parade at 1 beginning at the Navarre Library.
Special Forces Association Chapter 7 presents the 47th annual Jingle Bell Jog 5K/10K run/walk. It’s Saturday, December 6th at The Island Resort on Okaloosa Island and includes a Kids Fun Run and family friendly after-party!
Pancakes with Santa, to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund for the Salvation Army is Saturday morning, December 6th from 7:30 to 10:30. It’s hosted by the Magnolia Grille on Brooks Street in downtown Fort Walton Beach.
The Navarre Chamber Foundation Jingle Bell Run/Walk is Saturday, December 6th at 8am at the Holley/Navarre Main Fire Station. Run, walk or crawl any distance, including “shortcuts to grandma’s house.” Strollers and leashed pets are welcome.
The Gulf Breeze Zoo 7th annual Christmas ZOObilee is December 6th and 7th from 10:30 to 3:30 at the zoo. The fun includes live music, winter themed bounce stations, Candy Cane holiday market, meet Santa and his merry friends, and so much more around the entire zoo.
The First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach presents the annual “Live Nativity” December 15th through December 21sth from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the corner of Church & 2nd Street. It’s a free event. More details at the church website.
The Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus presents “Keep On Following The Star,” at Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium. Enjoy the annual holiday concert performance on at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, December 12th & 13th and Sunday, December 14th at 3pm
The Gulf Breeze Zoo 7th annual Christmas ZOObilee is December 13th and 14th from 10:30 to 3:30 at the zoo. The fun includes live music, winter themed bounce stations, Candy Cane holiday market, meet Santa and his merry friends, and so much more around the entire zoo.
The 22nd Annual Defuniak Springs Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 13th at 1pm at Circle Drive at lake Defuniak. It’s sponsored by the Defuniak Springs Woman’s Club.
Join Sinfonia Gulf Coast for “The Holiday Pops Spectacular” on Saturday, December 13th at 7:30pm at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. The entire family will enjoy this live performance featuring the full orchestra, vocalists of holiday favorites and timeless classics. Get tickets at sinfonia gulf coast dot org.
Plan to be at Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park on Sunday, December 14, 2025 for Holly Jolly at the Harbor is on Saturday, December 14th from 11am to 5pm. Parks and Rec is offering market activities, and an afternoon of refreshments, cookie decorating, and oyster crafts sponsored by the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), plus music performances by the Fort Walton Beach Brass Band and Destin High School Band..plus a visit from Santa. Donations of unopened, non-perishable items will be collected for families in need.
The City of Destin’s Annual Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 13th at 10 am. The floats will start at the Destin Methodist Church on Beach Drive and travel west down Harbor Boulevard to Stahlman Avenue. Watch from the north side of Harbor Boulevard. This year’s theme “Flashback to 1984” honors Destin’s 40th birthday.
