We couldn't agree more! October is one of our favorite months. The air starts to get crisp and cool, sunsets are really striking, and the local events are spectacular. Check out some of the local happenings and plan a visit. If you're lucky enough to be local – enjoy them all!
FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:
Harborwalk Village HarborFest
When: October 1st-3rd
Where: Harborwalk Village
Description: Celebrate the local heritage of Destin at HarborFest beginning Friday, October 1 at 4PM with fresh seafood, artisans, and live music on the Destin Harbor. The festivities continue through Sunday, October 3rd with entertainment the whole family is sure to enjoy.
Friday, October 1 | 4 - 10PM
The Two HooDoos | 4:00-5:45pm
Cadillac Willy Duo | 6:00-7:45pm
Los Locos | 8:00-10:00pm
Saturday, October 2 | 11AM - 10PM
Willy D & Jen | 11:00am-1:00pm
Grape Drink Duo | 1:15-3:15pm
Flash Flood Duo | 3:30-5:30pm
Scenic Heights | 5:45-7:45pm
Ben Loftin and the Family | 8:00-10:00pm
FIREWORKS 9:00pm
Sunday, October 3 | 11AM - 6PM
Blake Brock | 11:00am-1:00pm
Stranger Boy | 1:15-3:15pm
Electric Skyline | 3:30-6:00 pm
When: October 8th-9th
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf @ Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Description: Time to roll out the barrel and discover unique suds & ales! The Village of Baytowne Wharf presents the 13th annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival on October 8-9, 2021. American specialty beers from around the nation will be available for sampling and savoring. Tickets and info: baytownebeerfestival.com
Friday, October 8th: Enjoy an intimate evening and a pre-grand tasting party at the Beer From Around Here event. This night will be filled with samplings of local brews and food from merchants, and live music. Limited Number of tickets available.
Saturday, October 9th: VIP ticket holders will have an all-inclusive package this year with a tasty lunch at Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House, exclusive beer not at the festival, and the option to skip the lines and walk right into the main event! Limited amount of tickets for this event, so don't wait to purchase!
From 2-6pm the main event will feature more than 200 domestic and international craft beers available for sampling. Brewery representatives will be available at the event, offering an opportunity to learn about the different types of lagers and ales from a variety of styles. Live entertainment will be also featured during the festival.
When: October 9th-10th
Where: Grand Boulevard
Description: The 33rd annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival takes place October 9-10 at Grand Boulevard in South Walton, Florida. Produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, ArtsQuest provides an opportunity to view and purchase original art from over 200 artists from around the country while also experiencing live musical entertainment, ImagiNation (where kids rule), student exhibits, and great food and beverage options in the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.
ArtsQuest is a juried show that includes artists in the categories of Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Oils & Acrylics, Original Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Wood and Works on Paper, Watercolor, Printmaking, Pastels, Pencils, Ink).
For more info visit: grandboulevard.com
When: October 9th
Where: Idyll Hounds Brewing Company
Description: Idyll Hounds Brewing Company celebrates its 7th Anniversary with HoundFest 2021 on Saturday, October 9th from noon to 5pm! Come out for a plethora of tasty beers, live music, and delicious food. The Hounds are throwing it back to an 80's & 90s school theme. So keep your eyes peeled for theme-inspired designs, games at the fest, yearbook photo booth, and more.
Follow Idyll Hounds Brewing Company on Facebook for Houndsfest updates!
When: October 9th
Where: Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center
Description: Join in the fun at Niceville's Mattie Kelly Arts Center Amphitheater for Savor The Sound, a family festive outdoor concert benefiting the Taylor Haugen Foundation. Set to take place Saturday, October 9 from 3-7PM, this fall fundraiser showcases several homegrown, well-known musicians. Spend your evening enjoying local food trucks, local breweries, and highly sought-after raffle items. Purchase Tickets at mpv.tickets.com.
Follow Savor the Sound Benefiting the Taylor Haugen Foundation for event updates. Proceeds raised go directly toward the Taylor Haugen Foundation’s mission of honoring T’s legacy and protecting youth athletes from abdominal injuries.
Walton County Fair
When: October 11th-16th
Where: Walton County Fair Grounds
Description: The Walton County Fair 2021 takes place October 11-16 at the Fair Grounds in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Lots of family fun for the week! See the Walton County Fair website for a schedule of events, rides, pricing, youth activities, contest entries, live entertainment, and more!
Mon-Fri 5pm - 10pm
Sat 12pm - 10pm
The fair prides itself on continuing to update the areas for exhibits and entertainment. Exhibits at the fair still include animal, art, agriculture, handicrafts, potted plants, photography, and canned foods divisions. Every year the children from all over Walton County decorate pumpkins and bring them to the fair. Children also have the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents with animals, speeches, and educational posters. Entertainment is a big deal at the fair. Each year the building is filled with music – from gospel to country and western performers!
When: October 15th-17th
Where: Aaron Bessant Park
Description: Enjoy three days of German and locally brewed beer, food, music, as well as activities for kids and families. The event will feature a massive tent decorated like the authentic Oktoberfest tent in Munich, Germany, as well outdoor beer gardens and a VIP section under the tent.
Purchase tickets at https://pcboktoberfest.com/tickets/.
Kids 12 and under are FREE but require a FREE kids ticket!
Get ready for great German food! Pair your beer with brats, either famous or smoked, meterwurst, or hot dogs. Plus, nothing is better with your new and old favorite beer than giant pretzels with beer-infused cheese. Come out for good eats including other traditional Oktoberfest fare. Expect two days of music and entertainment from mixes from DJ Will, as well as live music by Krankenhaus, Darrell and Beatrice Band, the Heritage Band, and more!
Enjoy 3 days of FUN
Oct 15 | 4 - 11pm
Oct 16 | 11am - 11pm
Oct 17 | 11am - 4pm
When: October 16th
Where: Seascape Resort
Description: Bay Breeze Patio announces the 7th annual Eggs on the Beach: EggFest Cooking Competition taking place on Saturday, October 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida. The cooking competition will be enhanced with live music and drawings for a chance to win a Mini-Max Big Green Egg as well as products and gift certificates from area businesses. Beer, wine, cocktails, water, and sodas will also be available for purchase at the Tiki Bar.
Cook team registration and taster tickets: www.EggsontheBeach.com.
This year’s event will be held in a new location behind the Seascape Towne Center, which features a tiki bar with flat-screen TVs that will air the day’s most popular college football games. Each cook team will have their own 10x10 tent, allowing for social distancing in an open-air setting and access to Seascape Towne Center businesses, providing convenience and enjoyment for cook teams and tasters.
Barktoberfest
When: October 28th
Where: Grand Boulevard
Description: Dog-Harmony presents Barktoberfest! This annual doggie social and fundraising event takes place at North Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin on Thursday, October 28. Guests will enjoy light bites, libations, and raffle drawings. This event is free and open to the public.
Attendees and their pets are encouraged to dress in their Halloween best and enjoy a canine-only trick-or-treating event. Judging for the best “Pet & Parent Matching Costume” Contest will take place during the event with the prize-winning duo announced at 6:15 p.m.
This event is presented as part of the Coastal Culture Series made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program. Please no prong or shock collars.
When: October 30th-31st
Where: MKAF Cultural Arts Village
Description: Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) presents the 26th annual Festival of the Arts on October 30-31 for an entire weekend of art, music, food, and fun for everyone. The area's premiere fine arts festival takes place at the MKAF Cultural Arts Village in Destin, Florida. Free for all attendees. More info at: https://mkaf.org/art-festival/
Saturday Oct 30 | 9am - 5pm
Sunday Oct 31 | 10am - 4pm
Celebrating 26 years, the two-day signature event features artists from across the United States will offer up their original artwork in the form of oil, watercolor, acrylic, and glass paintings; photography, sculpture, pottery, wood, paper, fiber, mosaics, mixed media, jewelry designs, and more. The Festival also features a Collaborative Art Exhibit, which showcases select artwork of more than 60 community adult and student artists.
WEEKLY EVENTS:
Rocktober Concert Series & Fireworks @ Harborwalk Village
October 9th, 16th, & 23rd
Pumpkin Patch @ Camp Helen State Park
All Month Long
All Month Long
Farmer's Markets
Every Tuesday & Saturday @ Seaside
Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach
Planning to be in town?
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