Emerald Coast Events | December 2021

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FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:

 

Santa's Arrival
When: December 3rd
WherePier Park
Description: Celebrate the holiday season in Pier Park! Santa arrives, by a red and white 55 Chevy convertible, on Friday, December 3 at 11 a.m. He'll cruise through the mall before settling into his Pier Park home and will be available for photos daily until Christmas Eve. Set hours vary and can be found on the reservations page. Make your reservation today here!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
When: December 3rd
WhereHarborWalk Village
Description: Don your merriest, craziest, most obscure Christmas gear, and head to the Destin Harbor for their annual Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl. The crawl begins at 6:30PM. Drink and be merry with a game of drink specials bingo, live music, and an Ugly Sweater Contest at Coyote Ugly. Proceeds will benefit the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Panama City Beach Marathon
When: December 4th
WherePier Park
Description: Run through paradise alongside award-winning beaches in the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K or Kid’s Fun Run. The Panama City Beach Marathon is set for Saturday, December 4, at Pier Park. The 26.2 mile race start/finish line is near Margaritaville in Pier Park. 
 
Register at pcbmarathon.com. All runners of the Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K will receive a long sleeve shirt, and all finishers will receive a medal. The certified course is a 2021 Boston Marathon Qualifier, and the race is professionally timed. 
 
RACE DETAILS: Full Marathon will start at 7:00 AM Half Marathon will start at 7:30 AM 5K will start at 8:00 AM Kid’s Fun Run will start at 9:30 AM Start/Finish Line is located north of Margaritaville on Pier Park Drive. 
 
AWARDS CEREMONY: Awards will start at the Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Main Stage at 10:30 AM.
 
 
 
 
Winter, Wonder Watersound
When: December 4th
WhereWatersounds Town Center
Description: Join The REP for a magical holiday tradition of Every Christmas Story Ever Told in the Watersound Town Center on Saturday, December 4th at 11AM as part of Winter, Wonder Watersound. It’s the perfect way to get ready for the season, beat the festive fatigue, and share some holiday cheer. Brought to you by Seaside Repertory Theatre
 
Celebrate the season with an afternoon of festive activities at Winter, Wonder Watersound. Shop for artisanal foods and one-of-a-kind holiday gifts at the Watersound Town Center Farmer’s Market. Strolling carolers and a children’s play will round out the day. Come back that night for a viewing of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch. FREE and Open to the Public. 
 
Winter, Wonder Watersound || Saturday, December 4th 
10AM – 2PM | Watersound Town Center Farmer’s Market 
11AM | Every Christmas Story Ever Told 
12PM - 2PM | Traditional carolers will stroll the Farmer’s Market performing holiday favorites
6PM | Holiday Movie: Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch and enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies.  For more information follow Watersound Town Center Farmer's Market on Facebook or visit 30afarmersmarkets.com for updates on 30A Farmer's Markets held in the South Walton area.
 
 
 
 
 
3rd Annual Rosemary Beach Holiday Tour of Homes
When: December 4th
Where: Rosemary Beach
Description: Mark your calendars for the Holiday Home Tour on Saturday, December 4th in the community of Rosemary Beach. Several of the most stunning homes have been selected, decorated in their finest for this self-guided tour that's guaranteed to get you into the Holiday spirit. 
 
Advanced tickets are required. You can find more info at www.rbhometour.com. $25 per person includes a complimentary adult beverage in your holiday cup. Space is limited. Tickets are required for ages 12 and up. All tickets are non-refundable. 
 
Stick around and shop the streets of Rosemary Beach while experiencing something special on every turn!
 
 

 
 
Santa Paws
When: December 5th
WhereAJ's Grayton Beach
Description: Calling all dog-lovers!! Santa will be on-site at AJ's Grayton Beach on Sunday, Dec 5th from 12PM till 2PM visiting with all his furry friends. Spend your Sunday with your favorite four-legged companion with enjoying brunch and live music with Will & Linda. Bring your fur pup and your camera to get a great photo. Road Dogg Rescue will also be at AJ’s looking to find foster homes or get dogs adopted going into the holiday season. Keep up with the music lineup, specials, and everything AJ's on Facebook.​
 
 
 
 
Tuba Christmas at Baytowne Wharf
When: December 11th
WhereThe Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: Come out to The Village of Baytowne Wharf for Tuba Christmas, a wonderful concert with some of your favorite holiday classics on in the Event Plaza on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 5pm til 7pm. It's a beautiful holiday tradition in Sandestin. Admission is free and open to the public. 
 
Playground Music Center presents the annual Tuba Christmas, where more than 30 brass instruments play some of your favorite holiday classics. Don't forget to stop by the Events Plaza and take your photo with Santa! Follow The Village of Baytowne Wharf on Facebook for updates on upcoming festivals and events.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Holiday on the Harbor Destin Boat Parade
When: December 12th
WhereDestin Harbor
Description: The Destin Harbor will be dancing with holiday lights and cheer during the Holiday on the Harbor Destin Boat Parade on Sunday, December 12. The celebration begins at 6PM at Boshamps where boats festively decorated with holiday lights and décor line up and begin drifting along the Harbor past HarborWalk Village toward the Destin Bridge and Norriego Point. The evening ends with a bang as fireworks light up the sky. A fireworks show sponsored by HarborWalk Village will light up the sky at the end of the boat parade. All commercial, charter, and private boats are invited to help light up the Harbor with the true Destin spirit. To enter your boat in the parade stop by the Destin History and Fishing Museum or contact the Destin History & Fishing Museum.
 
 
 
 
 
The 8th Annual Grayt Santa Pub Crawl
When: December 18th
WhereHurricane Oyster Bar - Check In!
Description: The Grayt Santa Pub Crawl takes place on Saturday, Dec. 18 featuring a bar crawl and good food & drink all afternoon and into the night in Grayton Beach, Florida. $60 per person to crawl! Big prizes will be given to the "most naughty Santa", "most nice Santa" and "best group categories". By golly, it's a jolly good time! Register at wholelifefitnessfl.com. Crawl begins with a 2PM check-in at Hurricane Oyster Bar. Additional stops include Red Bar, Chiringo, Hibiscus, Grayton Beer Brewpub, and AJ's Grayton Beach. Grab your friends or meet new friends by spreading the holiday “SPIRITS” through Grayton Beach, FL. The GRAYT Santa Pub Crawl hits all the best local bars that beautiful Grayton Beach has to offer.
 
 
 
 
 
Destin Commons Artisan Market
When: December 26th
WhereDestin Commons
Description: The Artisan Market at Destin Commons, an open-air experience where you can discover the area's best locally made goods, takes place the last Sunday of each month from 11AM -4PM. Shop fresh produce, locally-grown flowers and plants, delicious baked goods and vegan treats, a vast selection of handmade artisan products, and much more! Find unique gifts while supporting Destin's local small business community. Join in the fun held at Destin Common's Center Plaza, it's a great place to gather and explore with family, friends or your four-legged companion.
 
 
 
 
 
New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop
When: December 31st
WherePier Park
Description: Momentum is building for The New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park. Say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022 with a great celebration on December 31 with a New Year's Eve Fireworks Show in Panama City Beach. The fireworks will be held at three locations along Panama City Beach; Russell-Fields Pier, M.B. Miller Pier and Schooner's. 
 
For young revelers, there's even an 8 p.m. countdown, with over 10,000 inflated beach balls dropped from nets stretched over the street, followed by fireworks. This FREE event is family friendly and a lot of fun! 
 
On the way to midnight, bands perform for the gathering crowd, anticipating the countdown to 2022 when a huge, glowing beach ball is lowered to signal the start of the New Year, and another great fireworks display. Time Square has nothing on this Panama City Beach NYE party!
 
 
 
 
 
Baytowne Countdown
When: December 31st
WhereThe Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: Ring in the New Year at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, Dec. 31 from 6pm til after midnight! Dance the night away and enjoy a live band in the Events Plaza and breathtaking fireworks as they light up the sky over the lagoon at midnight. The Village of Baytowne Wharf is the place to welcome 2022! Admission is free and open to the public - 21 & over after 10pm. 20 & Under must be accompanied by a legal guardian after 10pm. Enjoy their family-friendly evening from 6-8PM with face painting, kids' activities, and LIVE music on the Baytowne LIVE stage. Finish off the family-friendly evening with our first fireworks display at 8PM.
 
 
 
 
 
New Year's Eve at Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge
WhenDecember 31st
WhereHotel Effie
Description: Bring in 2022 at Hotel Effie's Ara Rooftop, the only rooftop pool and lounge on the Emerald Coast with friends and family while watching the spectacular Village of Baytowne Wharf New Year’s Eve firework show. 
 
NYE at Ara Rooftop Pool and Lounge at Hotel Effie 
Rooftop Tunes | DJ DFunk 
Firework Times | 8 PM and 12 PM
 
 
 
 
 
New Year's Eve Celebration
When: December 31st
WhereHarborwalk Village
Description: Ring in New Year’s Eve at HarborWalk Village on the beautiful Destin Harbor! Flash Flood begins the celebration with live music at 7:00 PM followed by the headliner band, The A-Town A-List taking the stage at 9:30 PM. Countdown with friends and family until the 2022 Midnight Ball Drop & party into the New Year at HarborWalk Village! Free Event. No reservations or tickets are required! 
 
Friday, December 31st | 7:00 PM - Midnight 
7:00 PM | Live Music by Flash Flood 
8:00 PM | Fireworks 
9:30 PM| The A-Town A-List 
MIDNIGHT FIREWORKS & BALL DROP!
 
 
 
 
 
WEEKLY EVENTS:
 
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides @ Grand Boulevard
Every Friday & Saturday
 
12 Nights of Light @ Grand Boulevard
Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
 
Farmer's Markets
Every Tuesday & Saturday @ Seaside
Every Saturday @ Grand Boulevard & Watersound
Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach

 
 








 
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