Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park Feb 7

Winter in South Walton brings a special kind of magic to the historic grounds of Eden Gardens State Park.

While other gardens may be sleeping, the park’s collection of over 370 camellias is just waking up, splashing shades of pink, red, and white against the deep green landscape of Point Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the community is invited to celebrate these "winter roses" at the annual Camellia Festival.

You can RSVP and find more details on the Camellia Festival Facebook Event Page.

Hosted by the Friends of Eden, the festival is a tribute to the legacy of the gardeners who have tended these 163 upland acres for generations. Visitors can stroll through the gardens, enjoy live music from the Black Creek String Band on the stage near the Bayou, and visit educational stations hosted by local experts. If you find a variety you love, you can even purchase a camellia to take home, with proceeds benefiting the preservation of the park.

The focal point of the day remains the Wesley House, a renovated two-story home with elegant white columns and a wraparound porch that looks out over moss-draped live oaks and Tucker Bayou. Between presentations, guests can grab lunch from local food trucks or learn about coastal conservation from the many regional organizations in attendance.

Admission to the festival is free with paid park entry ($4 per car or $2 per pedestrian). To make things easy, additional parking will be available at the Bay School with a convenient shuttle service running directly to the park.

The Friends of Eden Gardens is a Florida Citizens Support Organization (CSO) which assists the Florida Park Service in the preservation, restoration and improvement of Eden Gardens State Park.

2026 Festival Participants

• Black Creek String Band (Live Music)

• B's Smokin' BBQ Food Truck

• The Sinkin' Weenie Hot Dog Food Truck

• Panhandle Concessions Popcorn

• Daughters of the American Revolution West Florida Chapter (Camellia Waxing Demonstrations)

• Walton County Master Gardeners

• Pensacola Camellia Club

• Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance

• Alaqua Animal Rescue

• Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles

• Florida Public Archaeology Network

• Choctawhatchee Audubon Society

• Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

• South Walton Mosquito District

• 4-H Camp Timpoochee

• Tri-County Beekeepers

You can find more details about this event and other local happenings on the SoWal Events Calendar and the SoWal Forum.

The Friends of Eden Gardens is a Florida Citizens Support Organization (CSO) which assists the Florida Park Service in the preservation, restoration and improvement of Eden Gardens State Park.

Eden Gardens State Park consists of 163 upland acres just north of Seagrove Beach, across highway 98 in Point Washington, along the shores of Tucker Bayou and the Choctawhatchee Bay. Gracing Eden are gardens everywhere, the beautiful legacy of the many gardeners and master gardeners who belong to the Friends of Eden Gardens State Park, and give lovingly of their time and labor.

The focal point of the park is the Wesley house, a beautifully renovated, two-story house with elegant white columns and wraparound porch complete with rocking chairs. Surrounded by moss-draped live oaks and ornamental gardens, the Wesley house inspires visions of hoop skirts and landed gentry. It's a favorite place for weddings and other events, and includes a covered stage for performances, a large screened pavilion, and bricked areas under the oaks for giant event tents.