Fort Walton Beach and Destin announced their 2024 holiday lineup, featuring traditional celebrations and new additions that aim to serve the growing communities along the Emerald Coast.
“Light Up The Night” Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at 5 p.m. (tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.)
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park
139 Brooks St SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
- The City of Fort Walton Beach will kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. The event will feature caroling from the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus, a visit from Santa Claus and a countdown to the official lighting of the Christmas tree and holiday lighting at the Landing.
Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade
Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Eglin Parkway (Starts at First Street, ends at Hughes Street)
- The 2024 Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade will take place along Eglin Parkway from First Street to Hughes Street. This year’s theme is Winter Sports. The public is invited to gather along Eglin Parkway to watch the parade and cheer on their favorite characters. Float applications are being accepted until noon, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at www.fwb.org/370/Parades.
Old Fashioned Christmas at the Camp Walton Schoolhouse
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center
139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
- The Camp Walton Schoolhouse will host a Christmas Open House where visitors can experience what it was like to be a student in Fort Walton Beach’s first 1-room schoolhouse. The event will feature butter churning demonstrations, light refreshments, and holiday decorations throughout the schoolhouse. All Heritage Park and Cultural Center museums will offer free admission, and the Temple Mound Museum is offering a 20-percent discount on all merchandise through Dec. 7.
2024 Winter Wonderland
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (both nights)
Northwest Florida Fairgrounds
1958 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
- The Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s 5th Annual Winter Wonderland event will feature a village of Christmas houses constructed from recycled pallets and decorated by community organizations. Activities include bouncy houses, Gellyball, appearances by Santa and the Grinch, and a new activity where children can decorate igloo dog houses donated by Tractor Supply Company. The decorated houses will be donated to the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Benefiting both PAWS and Emerald Coast Toys for Tots, attendees can receive raffle tickets by donating new unwrapped toys, pet supplies, or making monetary contributions.
Santa’s Firehouse Cruz-Thru Toy Drive
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Station #6
5 Hollywood Blvd NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
- The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department will host their annual Christmas toy drive. Visitors can drive through the fire station, meet firefighters, enjoy refreshments, and donate new unwrapped toys to help bring holiday cheer to local children in need.
Destin Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Destin Methodist Church to Stahlman Avenue
200 Beach Drive, Destin, FL
- The City of Destin’s annual Christmas Parade will celebrate the city’s 40th birthday with the theme “Flashback to 1984.” The parade route begins at Destin Methodist Church, travels down Beach Drive, and continues west on Harbor Boulevard (Hwy 98) to Stahlman Avenue. Spectators are advised to view from the north side of Harbor Boulevard. Float applications are available at the Destin Community Center, with entries requested to donate new toys, personal products, or make monetary contributions. Applications and donations must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Holly Jolly at the Harbor and Holiday Boat Parade
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024
Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park, Destin
- The festivities begin with Holly Jolly at the Harbor from 3-5 p.m., featuring holiday music by Fort Walton Beach High School, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and children’s crafts. The Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade starts at 6 p.m., themed “Christmas in the 1980s” in honor of Destin’s 40th birthday. The evening concludes with fireworks at Harborwalk Village.
Brunch with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Destin Library
- The Destin Library will host a free family Brunch with Santa event. Photos with Santa will be available from 10:30-11:30 a.m., followed by brunch from 11 a.m. to Noon. The library will be closed for regular services during this special event.
