The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach is launching Winter WonderIsland, a holiday experience that will run from November 28, 2025, through January 5, 2026, bringing coastal winter festivities to the Emerald Coast.
- The resort will feature Coastal Winter Chalets available for private rental, with each chalet accommodating up to eight guests. Every chalet includes a tabletop fire pit with s’mores, hot cocoa kits and dedicated cocktail service. Each reservation also includes one hour of access to the resort’s curling rink.
“The holidays are a special time along the Emerald Coast, and we wanted to create something that truly captures the coastal magic,” said Ken Trumbell, general manager of The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach. “Winter WonderIsland brings together everything we love about the season — community, connection and celebration — all with the beauty of the Gulf as the backdrop.”
The curling rink will provide entertainment for guests, while the resort will offer signature cocktails including the Island Exclusive Old Fashioned, Bah Humbug, Spiced Holly and Mistletoe Margarita. Local food trucks and live entertainment will be available throughout the season. Families can drop letters to Santa in a red mailbox located in the resort lobby.
Weekly activities in December will include holiday movie nights, gingerbread house decorating and hot chocolate Fridays. Special events scheduled throughout the season include:
- Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13
- Cookies & Crafts with The Grump on Dec. 20-21
- Christmas dinner buffet on Dec. 25
- Noon Kids’ Eve Ball Drop on Dec. 31.
- Adults can attend a midnight champagne toast in Coastal Kitchen on New Year’s Eve.
The resort will also host its fifth annual Beachy Little Christmas: A Sandcastle Spectacular on Saturday, Dec. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature live music, local vendors, crafts, a meet-and-greet with Misty the Mermaid and Christmas-themed sandcastle building along the beach.
