Many People Think of the Beach As a Summertime Place, but South Walton, Offers Four Seasons

Events

Many people think of the beach as a summertime place, but South Walton, offers four seasons of beautiful weather and a year-round list of events and festivals. Whether you like music or art, wine or beer, fishing or films, we’ve got an event tailor-made for your taste.

South Walton Fashion Week – October 5-11, 2015
South Walton Fashion Week is a large-scale, multi-day event along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast that celebrates high fashion by featuring national rising designers and models, local, regional and national designers, stores and boutiques, runway shows, retail shopping experiences, trunk shows and parties. The event is presented by Visit South Walton and produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) in partnership with Monark Events and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.

A Night of Symphony and Opera in Seaside – October 10, 2015
Enjoy a collaborative night of music featuring the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and world renowned Operatic Vocalist Denyce Graves. The concert will take place in the Seaside Amphitheater and will be free and open to the public.

8th Annual Baytowne Beer Festival – October 16, 2015
American specialty beers from around the nation will be available for participants to sample and savor. The main event on Saturday, October 17th will feature more than 200 domestic and international craft beers available for sampling. Brewery representatives will be available at the event, offering an opportunity to learn about the different types of lagers and ales from a variety of styles. Live music will be also featured during the festival.

25th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival – November 5-8, 2015
Named by Fodor's Travel as a top 10 'Can't-Miss Fall Wine Festival," the Seeing Red Wine Festival® Grand Tasting will take over the streets of downtown Seaside for the 25th year in a row. The event promises an extensive array of tasting tents featuring highly sought after wines from around the globe, live music, food stations from top local restaurants, and the opportunity to purchase any wine you sample on site for unbelievable prices at the Seeing Red Wine Festival® Wine Retail Tent.

MountainFilm on Tour at WaterColor – November 6-7, 2015
The Telluride MountainFilm on Tour returns to WaterColor’s Marina Park Amphitheater on November 6 and 7, in partnership with official sponsors Delta and Visit South Walton. Celebrating its 15th year, this two-day outdoor film festival is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and motivating audiences about issues that matter. Each year, a selection of films from the International Film Festival is taken on the road to reach audiences who otherwise would not have a chance to experience the festival. The films selected for the show will explore themes connected to MountainFilm’ mission of exploring cultures, preserving, environments, and promoting adventure.

Sparkling Wine and Holiday Lights Event – November 14, 2015
The Sandestin Wine Festival is beginning this holiday season with a sparkling event! Stroll streets lined in twinkling lights and greenery, as you sip a variety of champagnes and taste featured menu items from various Village restaurants. Participating merchants will be decked out for the holiday season, when you stop by to sample their featured bubbly, and enjoy a sneak peak of the Village tree lighting and holiday entertainment throughout the Village.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told – November 24-December 19, 2015
Why go out to see another Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, and watch It's a Wonderful Life on TV when you can see these, and many more, in one 90 minute show? The Seaside REP's 6 year smash hit Every Christmas Story Ever Told returns with your favorite "Beloved Holiday Classics" crammed into a night full of high-energy jolly, frivolity, and hilarity. REP actors, armed with props and costumes, send up everything from Charles Dickens to Dr. Seuss, Jimmy Stewart to Chewbacca in this ever-evolving holiday favorite. It’s the perfect way to get ready for the season, beat the festive fatigue, and share some holiday cheer!

30A10K – November 26, 2015
Registration for the 4th annual 30A 10K & 1 mile fun run charity race will be opening soon. The race kicks off Thanksgiving morning at 7:30 am in the center of Rosemary Beach, Florida. Each year, our event grows with more participants, more family activities and more race swag. Don't miss out on this amazing event!

21st Annual Hilton Sandestin Beach Basketball Blowout – December 28-31, 2015
The Hilton Sandestin Beach Basketball Blowout takes place every December in beautiful Freeport , Florida. Each year, boy's and girl's teams compete for the Championship Trophy. This year marks the 20th year of the tournament.

30A Songwriters Festival – January 15-17, 2016
The perfect mix of cool beach weather and red-hot music is what you will find during the 30A Songwriters Festival. More than 120 artists perform in intimate venues and large amphitheaters allowing you to experience a wide variety of music and beach neighborhoods in South Walton.

27th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival – February 12-13, 2016
This winter festival favorite is back for the 27th year. Sample a variety of gumbo and vote your favorite as the “People’s Choice” winner while celebrity judges name the “Area’s Best.” Local Gulf coast restaurants will be featured along with live music and activities for the entire family.

Wine Women and Shoes South Walton – January 14, 2016 and February 26-28, 2016
Wine, Women & Shoes is a national fundraising platform created for women who enjoy fine wine, great style and supporting a noble cause. From Vintner Dinners to the Signature Event, Sinfonia Gulf Coast is thrilled to present this event again to benefit the non-profit symphony orchestra, its music education initiatives throughout the community and its Arts in Medicine collaboration with Sacred Heart Hospital.

14th Annual Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K/Taste of the Race – March 4-6, 2016
Vera Bradley presents the 14th Annual Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K Run in South Walton on March 6, 2015. Celebrate this out-and-back, fast and mostly flat course where runners from 44 states pass quaint beach towns, dune lakes, and the most beautiful beaches. On Friday, March 4 eat and drink the night away at the Taste of the Race culinary extravaganza. Featuring the top chefs from South Walton enjoy a night your taste buds soon won’t forget! All proceeds benefit the Seaside School Foundation.

30A Wine Festival at Alys Beach – March 11-13, 2016
The 3rd Annual 30A Wine Festival returns to the beautiful surroundings of Alys Beach showcasing premiere wine producers and local culinary favorites. This three-day event features a Friday night gathering, “Bourbon, Beer, and Butts”, Saturday wine tasting seminars, a walkabout and grand tasting, band party at nightfall, and Sunday’s exclusive event, “Pork and Pinot” complete with croquet.

South Walton Food Film Festival – April 8-10, 2016
The Local Palate and the Food Film Festival are partnering to bring the best of food and film to the towns and beaches of South Walton along Florida’s historic Highway 30A. Guests will have the opportunity to watch award-winning films and documentaries – and eat the delicious dishes featured in the movies. Highlights will include a VIP Welcome Party, an Artisan Market filled with the best of South Walton’s local food artisans, and A Night Aquatic featuring seafood dishes and food. Best of all, the festival is set against the backdrop of the beautiful white sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

30th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival – April 14-17, 2016
The pouring of hundreds of domestic and international wines makes for a grand event indeed at the Sandestin Wine Festival. Representatives from vineyards from across the globe will be available to entertain questions, offering a rare opportunity to learn about the finest appellations from all major producing countries in all varieties, styles and price ranges. Visit the Culinary tents and sample delicious fare paired with wine.

11th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction – April 22-23, 2016
Rated as one of the top wine events in the United States, the auction benefits 14 charities working to change the lives of children in Northwest Florida. All proceeds from the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival are also contributed to the cause this fabulous weekend.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival – April 28-May 1, 2016
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is four days of exciting wine & food tastings, unique tasting seminars, live entertainment and lifestyle stations. More than 800 exceptional wines will be poured by dozens of celebrity winemakers in attendance. This year’s roster of wine superstars including Mark Perrin of Chateau Beaucastel and Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Family Estates following 2014 participation by Banfi and local resident Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Joffrey Ballet Regional Workshop & Concert Group Performance – May 4-5, 2016
The Merchants of SEASIDE® will host the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group for a second year in a row. The one and a half hour show will include 30 Joffrey company members performing a variety of dances ranging from modern and jazz to classical ballet.

ArtWeek South Walton – May 5-15, 2016
Art lovers won’t want to miss the first annual ArtWeek. The festival will feature more than 130 international exhibiting artists, live music, artist workshops, a children’s exhibit and much more.

Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach – May 12-14, 2016
Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is the world’s first projection art festival, with artists using the latest technologies to project their original, dynamic works onto the town’s iconic white walls. The event continues to be the place to see and be seen including the stylish finale at Caliza Pool.

Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic – June 15-19, 2016
The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic was started in 2003 when a group of guys from Galati Yacht Sales and Sandestin decided it was time to bring a big money tournament back to the Destin area. The rest, as they say, is history. Enjoy the weekend as nearly 80 boats compete to see who can catch the biggest blue marlin!

Sandestin Triathlon – August 20, 2016
On August 20 the 30th Annual Sandestin Triathlon will lure more than 700 participants for a half-mile Gulf of Mexico swim, a 20-mile bike along the coast, and a 4-mile run through Sandestin’s beach and bayside community. Proceeds benefit Sandestin Foundation for Kids.

Alys Beach 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run – September 4, 2016
Located along Hwy 30A, the course winds through the resort town. The event also features an oversized obstacle course for kids of all ages and will end with music, food, and beverages available in the Amphitheatre.