The weather outside is cold, hot, rainy, clear, beautiful and 70ish. You never know what to wear in December but it's looking like a warm Christmas this year. We love our holidays at the beach in South Walton and along the Emerald Coast. It's a time for long walks on the beach, movies, good food and holiday cheer with friends and family, and taking a little break for yourself.
Christmas week is quiet in SoWal but just after Christmas Day, the town gets a little busy heading into New Year's Eve with locals out and about as well as plenty of visitors. This year's SoWal.com Events Calendar is filled with holiday traditions and festivities including Christmas music performances, plays and year round farmers markets and live music at restaurants and bars.
SoWal.com Events Calendar
HOLIDAY MUSIC SHOWS
Holiday Concerts at Baytowne Wharf Dec 14 & 21
Sinfonia Swingin' Holiday featuring The Manhattan Transfer Dec 16
Trebeaché Concert: Heritage Dec 16
The Vocal Pop Academy Christmas Program at 30A Songwriter Radio Dec 16
Destin Commons Jolly Jubilee: Dickenson Carolers Dec 17
Holiday Pops Concert at Seaside Dec 17
Hornstew Jazz Band - Sounds of Christmas at The Hub Dec 20
HOLIDAY PLAYS running until Christmas
Seaside REP Theatre: Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some!) runs through Dec 29 in Seaside
Emerald Coast Theatre Company: A Dickens Christmas runs through Dec 24 at Grand Blvd
FUN STUFF
Christmas Movie Marathon at The Hub Dec 21-23
Tacky Sweater Christmas Party at Local Catch Bar & Grill Dec 23
Santa Photos at Baytowne, Grand Blvd: see SoWalCalendar
Breakfast with Santa at The Pearl Dec 18
FARMERS MARKETS
Farmers markets are year round in Rosemary Beach (Sundays), Seaside (Saturdays) and Grand Boulevard (Saturdays). Rosemary Beach dates during Christmas are changed due to holiday: Thu Dec 22 & Thu Dec 29.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Seaside Farmers Market
Salute 2016 at Alys Beach
New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park
Countdown Seaside: A New Year's Eve Celebration
New Year's Eve Street Party & Fireworks at Destin Harbor
Baytowne Countdown
Trebeaché New Year's Eve Party
PLAY, SHOP & DINE
The season is slower for businesses but it's perfect for getting out and enjoying the scene during this beautiful time of year.. If you are in town, be sure to get out and play, eat well, listen to live music and do what you love. See our Food Shopping Guide for all the good stuff to pick up while you're out.
The Red Bar Jazz Band is Wed-Sat 5-9pm - a very merry way to spend an evening. Try the new Seagrove Village Market location now open for lunch/dinner.
As always, get the music lineup at area bars and restaurants at SoWal Music Calendar! We're adding more artists and venues to the calendar every day.
ENJOY every minute of the Winter and find adventure and wild things at the beach, in our Florida State Parks or exploring coastal dune lakes and local trails. Start at SoWal.com home page and explore the new site design, stories, guides and features.
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Teresa
Grayton Beach Dec 2000: Jeff & Billie
SoWal Events 2017
The calendar is filling up with 2017 festivals and events. First Day Hikes! January 1 at Grayton Beach State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and St Andrews State Park (PCB). Get info at SoWalCalendar. Also, the SWFD Polar Bear Plunge is Jan 1 at Ed Walline Beach Access.
Coming up in the first part of 2017: 30A Songwriters Festival (MLK weekend Jan 13-15), La Lumiere: A Masquerade Affair @ WaterColor LakeHouse (Feb 10), Sandestin Gumbo Festival (Feb 18), Wine Women & Shoes (Feb 19), 15th Annual Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K Run (Mar 5), and 30A Wine Festival at Alys Beach (Mar 9-12).
That's only a slice of what's coming up in South Walton in the new year! Much more is on the way as we hear from friends, businesses and beach towns. We're proud to publish the most comprehensive Events & Music Calendars on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Check in often to see what's happening.
The new SoWal.com website design provides an excellent online experience from any device so save the link to your screen! Check in for events, music, beachcams, forums, stories and new photos/video!
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