December 2
POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 9th: Crestview’s Annual Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 2nd. This year’s theme is “Santa’s Workshop. The parade takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street and ends at the north end of Main after the Courthouse.
CANCELLED: The Niceville – Valparaiso Community Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 2nd at 10am, on Marc Smith Blvd, sponsored by the Rotary Club. This year’s theme, “Create Hope in the World.”
POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 9th: The Town of Shalimar annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is Saturday, December 2nd at 5pm with the Choctaw Jazz Band and the arrival of Santa. Followed by the tree lighting at 6pm at the town hall and the illumination of lights in Marquee Park.
December 7
Don’t miss Cruisin’ into Christmas at Emerald Coast Harley Davidson on Thursday, December 7th from 6:30pm to 9. Decorated trees will be raffled, plus amazing auction items, all to benefit Safe Connections. Get details here.
December 8
Holiday Pops featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell, December 8th at 7:30pm at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. Dubbed “the last leading man” by The New York Times, Brian Stokes Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award winner with a versatile career spanning Broadway, television, film, and concerts. Receiving critical acclaim and awards for his performances in Kiss Me, Kate, Man of La Mancha, and Ragtime, Stokes has collaborated with renowned conductors like John Williams and Gustavo Dudamel performing at Carnegie Hall and the White House. Some of you may remember him as Trevor in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Get into the spirit as this A-list star performs holiday classics, Broadway tunes and classic favorites with the Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra. Get ticket information here.
Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s Winter Wonderland is December 8th and 9th from 7pm-10pm at the Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds. Entry to the wonderland is one new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Stroll down Pallet House Land, drink hot chocolate, meet Santa and your local favorite officers.
The Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus presents “Christmas Memories,” at Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium. Enjoy the annual holiday concert performance on at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, December 8th & 9th and Sunday, December 10th at 3pm
December 9
Reindeer Dash 5K/10K run/walk is on Saturday, December 9th at 8am. The run is through downtown Fort Walton Beach with an awards ceremony afterwards at KC’s Sandbar. The event benefits Toys for Tots
The 8th Annual Niceville Ugly Sweater Run/Walk is Saturday, December 9th at Hurricane Grill & Wings in Bluewater Bay. The 5K is open to all ages at 8am, with a 1 mile fun run for kids 12 & under. Proceeds benefit the Niceville High School Track & Field Program.
Emerald Coast Theatre Company performs “A Christmas Carol” on the stage at Grand Boulevard with both night and matinee performances available December 8th through 22nd.
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida’s Yule of Yesteryear is December 9th! Crafts, food trucks, local choirs, letters to Santa, and last-minute Christmas gift ideas, from 10 – 4 at the museum, in Valparaiso.
The Gulf Breeze Zoo 4th annual Christmas ZOObilee is December 9th and 10th from 11-3 at the zoo. The fun includes live music, winter themed bounce stations, holiday market, The Grinch & Santa, and so much more around the entire zoo.
December 10
The Destin Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade is Sunday, December 10th at 6pm. This annual event is presented by Destin History & Fishing Museum.
December 14-20
The First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach presents the annual “Live Nativity” December 14th through December 20th from 6 to 8:30 pm at the corner of Church & 2nd Street. There will be a drive-thru and walk-through version of this year’s presentation. Visit the church website for more information.
December 16
Emerald Coast Theatre Company performs “A Jingle Jangle Christmas” Musical Revue on December 16th at 2:30pm and December 19th & 21st at 7:30pm, on stage at Grand Boulevard.
“Santa’s Firehouse Cruz Thru Toy Drive” is December 16th from 9am to 2pm at the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department on Hollywood Blvd. Drive thru the Fire Truck Bay & help bring cheer to a local child this Christmas by donating new toys, books, games and children’s clothing.
The Gulf Breeze Zoo 4th annual Christmas ZOObilee is December 16th and 17th from 11-3 at the zoo. The fun includes live music, winter themed bounce stations, holiday market, The Grinch & Santa, and so much more around the entire zoo.
December 16
December 17
The Niceville/Valparaiso Rotary Club’s 5th annual Boat Parade is Sunday, December 17th beginning at 5:30pm from Emerald Coast Marina. Proceeds benefit holiday meals for the Rotary’s sharing and caring service project.
December 20-22 & December 27-29
Winter Fun for Everyone at Emerald Coast Science Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Join us for new activities December 20-22 and December 27-29 to celebrate the season! The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. We’ll have Creature Features, fun on the sciPad, and special winter-themed activities all included with general admission pricing. For the full schedule of events, visit ecscience.org/events.
December 28
Planetarium Special Feature: Sordid Secrets of the Stars – December 28th at 6pm & 7pm
This adults-only, fun-filled trip around the solar system discusses the bizarre family trees of the Greek and Roman gods. Why did Zeus have so many girlfriends? Why were there so many animals involved? How was Aphrodite born in a seashell? Learn the answer to all of these questions (and more) as we dive into what was really going on in classical mythology.
The Planetarium is an inflatable dome, sponsored by FPL. Guests sit on cushions on the floor of the planetarium to view the show and space is limited. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended. Please call 850-664-1261, stop by the Science Center, or use our online ticketing option to purchase your tickets at ecscience.org/events.
January 1
The 15th Annual Penguin Plunge & Paddle is New Year’s Day at Juana’s Pagodas in Navarre. The paddleboard adventure course is at 12:30, the plunge is at 1:30pm. The event benefits Healing Paws for Warriors. Register here.
The 10th annual Polar Bear Plunge is New Year’s Day at Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar. In-person registration begins at 11am, costume contest at noon and the plunge into the gulf happens at 1pm. The plunge benefits South Walton Fire Department community education programs.
January 20
Sip & Science: Wizarding World – Emerald Coast Science Center, January 20, 2024, 6-9 p.m.
Bring your friends, grab a drink, and experience the magic. Muggles and wizards welcome! You’ll get to craft your own wizarding wand, bring a mandrake to life, and even sign up for a potions class if you want to take your magic to the next level. Stop by our green screen to test out your Invisibility Cloak, and check out Harry Potter trivia on sciPad. Hop on the Hogwarts Express because you don’t want to miss this enchanting night at the museum. Buy online now and save with our Early Bird pricing! $20 for Science Center members and $25 for nonmembers.
Ticket price includes admission, access to regular and special museum exhibits, drink tickets for adult beverages (beer and a specialty cocktail), and food. Guests age 21+ (IDs will be checked at the door)
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Cancellations made 48 hours or more in advance of the event date will incur a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the event will incur a 30% administrative fee. Guests who do not attend the event will not receive a refund after the event has occurred.
This event sponsored in part by Cumulus Media
https://www.ecscience.org/events-1/sip-science-wizarding-world
February 2 – 4
OCSO Sheriff’s Star Charities Winter Pickleball Blast is February 2-4, 2024 at Mooney Park in Fort Walton Beach. This is a great event for beginner, intermediate and advanced players for singles, mixed & gender doubles. Shirts, medals & food is provided for players and all proceeds benefit OCSO Sheriff’s Star Charities. For more info, visit here.
