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Holiday Happenings in South Walton

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Whether you’re celebrating the holiday season by admiring an outdoor light display or making crafts from home, there’s something for everyone in South Walton. Please find a list of outdoor events, al fresco dining options and other holiday happenings below.

Start out with a self-guided visit to one of these top spots for viewing Christmas lights and other outdoor holiday displays in South Walton (photos of this year’s holiday lights at each location can be downloaded here:  https://platform.crowdriff.com/m/s-r1tioaQ53aGjAVEr )

  1. Rosemary Beach – Twinkling lights lend a festive touch to the live oaks circling both sides of Barrett Square, with a gorgeously decorated Douglas Fir Christmas tree as the main attraction.
  2. Inlet Beach – A trip to 30Avenue is enhanced by holiday lights festooned to the signature palm trees, complete with classic characters from the Nutcracker ballet, and a large Christmas tree featured in the front greenspace.
  3. Alys Beach – Always beautiful, Alys Beach’s signature architecture is enhanced with holiday wreaths and lights, and a 25-foot tall Christmas tree and packages serve as the decorative focus at the amphitheater.
  4. Seaside – A visit to Seaside’s amphitheater treats guests to a sparkling display of white holiday lights, with a large Christmas tree added to the top of Airstream Row. Be sure to walk under the arch of the beachfront Coleman Pavilion, where the decorative lights provide a striking and romantic backdrop for photos.
  5. WaterColor – Plan a stroll through the walking trails of Cerulean Park, where bright stars overhead are accentuated by a beautifully-lit Christmas tree in the park’s center, along with Holly-adorned arches and other decorative touches placed throughout the park.
  6. The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Sandestin’s walkable town center is a classic destination for holiday festivities, home of the “An Evening of Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights” event, as well as Baytowne On Ice and a series of holiday concerts. Outside of scheduled events, the area’s holiday-themed lights and decorations provide a wonderful, walkable family activity, perfect for getting in the spirit of the season.

Other Holiday Events

Dec. 5 - Christmas at the Beach at Gulley Amphitheater at Gulf Place: Noon- 3 p.m.

Hope on the Beach Church is hosting this free, family-friendly outdoor event that will feature children’s activities including a stilt-walking balloon-maker, games, crafts and pictures with Santa. There will be free food and live music including caroling and performances by local school groups. A cakewalk with an assortment of cakes and other baked goods will also be available for those with a sweet tooth.

Dec. 17 - Official Ugly Sweater Party at Idyll Hounds Brewing Company Taproom: 5- 8 p.m.

Celebrate the holiday season in style with your favorite ugly sweater, live music and food by Summer Kitchen. There will be new beer releases, prizes, specials and outdoor seating available.

 Dec. 19 - Tacky Christmas Sweater Party at The Gathering Spot: 8-11 p.m.

Put on your tackiest Christmas sweater and join WaterColor Inn at the hotel’s newly reimagined lobby bar for a holiday-themed soiree around the outdoor poolside firepits. There will be live music, drink and food specials and prizes for the most festive sweater of them all. In order to seat guests more efficiently, reservations are not accepted.

*The hotel’s operational protocols and procedures are being adapted continuously, in adherence with guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and State of Florida. 

 Dec. 23 and 30 - 30A Holiday Farmers Market at 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Two outdoor holiday farmers markets will be held in addition to the regular year-round Sunday markets.

Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Dinner at Havana Beach Bar and Grill: 4-8 p.m.
Toast to Christmas Eve at Havana Beach Bar & Grill! Enjoy a special three-course menu curated by Havana Beach’s award-winning culinary team. The prix-fixe menu ($85++per adult and $45++ per child, ages 3-12) includes nonalcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at an additional cost. The restaurant’s regular menu will not be available during this time; regular’s kid’s menu will be available. Reservations are required by calling (850) 588-2882.

++Service charge and sales tax not included. Outdoor seating will be available.

Dec. 24 - FOOW Christmas Eve Dinner from 5-10 p.m.
Join FOOW in celebrating the last night before Santa arrives with a special menu curated by the restaurant's executive chef and wind down with family and friends during a special evening. After all, Christmas is prettier on the Gulf! FOOW’s regular dinner menu will be served during this time. Open to the public; in order to seat guests more efficiently, reservations are not accepted. Outdoor seating will be available.

Dec. 25 - Christmas Dinner at Havana Beach Bar & Grill: Noon - 8 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas with your family and friends at Havana Beach Bar & Grill! Enjoy a special three-course menu curated by Havana Beach’s award-winning culinary team. The prix-fixe menu ($85++ per adult and $45++ per child, ages 3-12) includes nonalcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at an additional cost. The restaurant’s regular menu will not be available during this time; regular’s Kid’s Menu will be available. Reservations are required by calling (850) 588-2882. ++Service charge and sales tax not included. Outdoor seating will be available.

Dec. 29 - Wine & Song at NEAT Tasting Room: 5-7 p.m.
Champagne-focused event to celebrate the holiday season with outdoor seating available.

Dec. 31 - Baytowne Countdown NYE: 5 p.m.- 1 a.m.
Ring in the New Year with an evening to remember, with two breathtaking fireworks displays. Enjoy a family-friendly evening from 5-8 p.m. with face painting, kids activities and live music on the Baytowne LIVE stage with DJ 30A from 5-7 p.m. Finish off the family-friendly evening with our first fireworks display at 8 p.m. The fun doesn't stop there! Dance the night away with live music from GROOVY 7 from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., featured on the events plaza stage! End the night with a spectacular midnight firework show. There is no better place to ring in 2021!

*21 & over after 10 p.m. 20 & Under must be accompanied by a legal guardian after 10 p.m.

Dec. 31 - FOOW New Year’s Eve: 5 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
The end of 2020 is finally here! Celebrate with FOOW and ring in the New Year with special Chef features, champagne and a memorable night of festivities, including live music and special guests. For additional information, email Cori Wheaton at cori.wheaton@stjoeclub.com. Open to the public; in order to seat guests more efficiently, reservations are not accepted. A cover charge of $20 per person will apply after 10 p.m. Outdoor seating will be available.

  • Website: www.foow30a.com/
  • Address: 34 Goldenrod Cir, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve Dinner at Havana Beach Bar & Grill: 5 p.m.- MidnightToast to your last meal of 2020 at Havana Beach Bar & grill with a special three-course menu and live entertainment all night long! Havana Beach’s pianist, Michael Johnson, will be playing live 5-9 p.m. He will then be joined by acclaimed visiting pianists Nate Sangsland and David Mark Butler for a Dueling Pianos performance, from 9 p.m. to midnight. $125 ** per person; seating times available between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Reservations are required by calling (850) 588-2882. Lounge and bar seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

**Service charge and sales tax not included. Outdoor seating will be available.

Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve Dinner at George’s at Alys Beach
George's at Alys Beach is taking reservations for a four-course New Year's Eve dinner on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. There are four seatings that night, but they will book fast. The menu, created by Executive Chef Camille Withall and her culinary team, features creative first and second course options such as a seafood trio and crab coconut bisque and thoughtfully prepared main dishes including a Wagyu filet, seared duck breast and crab stuffed sea bass. Your last meal of 2020 should be a divine one and George's is the place to have it. Seatings at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Outdoor seating will be available.

Dec. 31 - Pescado Rings in 2021 with a “Best of the Big Band” Dinner on the Rooftop: 6 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Celebrate in style overlooking the rooftops of Rosemary Beach as you ring in the New Year at Pescado, which will showcase a three-course dinner and amuse bouche on New Year's Eve. Guests will enjoy live music by the David Seering Trio on the rooftop and live music by Jamah Terry in The Courtyard, both from 6 p.m.- 12:30 a.m. There will also be a late-night dessert station and at midnight, a toast and countdown to 2021. Reservations are required. There will be a small amount of bar seating available with an a la carte menu from 5-10 p.m. All guests will have access to The Courtyard and Pescado throughout the evening, with dinner being held upstairs. There is no better way to ring in 2021! To book your evening, email events@thelcrg.com. Tickets are $220 plus tax and gratuity.

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Dinner at The Terrace 5:30 p.m.-Midnight 
It's the Final Countdown to New Year's Eve at the Terrace Restaruant in Inlet Beach. Reservations accepted. Enjoy a five course prix fixe meal starting at 5:30 p.m and celebrate a sparkling new year.

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Toast at the Gathering Spot 
Toast to the end of 2020 at WaterColor Inn's newly reimagined lobby bar and lounge. There will be special menu items, cocktail features, live music by Nashville's Oracle Blue Duo and a countdown to midnight arnound the poolside firepits. Open to the public (no cover charge). Complimentary valet available at hotel entrance. 

Holiday Meals To-Go, Grocery Delivery and Catering Options

Emeril's Coastal will be offering a special Christmas menu to help you celebrate the holidays without all the work! Place your orders for an Emeril's Coastal Christmas by noon on Monday Dec. 21 for pick up on Wednesday Dec. 23 and Christmas Eve De. 24 between 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Cuvee 30A is offering Christmas Dinner-To-Go online ordering options. Enjoy Chef Tim Creehan's cusine at home for the holidays. Deck your dinner plates with delectable Prime Rib Au Jus and juicy Roast Pork along with traditional side items and desserts. 

O Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar is now hosting private meals where Chef James will come to your home and create a dining experience to be remembered. For groups big or small, you can experienc an in-home Shaka dinner party. 

  • Phone: 850-909-0030
  • Address: 13625 US HWY 98 East, Suite 5, Inlet Beach, FL 32413

Live Well 30A offers grocery delivery services through Be My Shopper. 

Blue Mountain Bakery has a Christms to go option that will be available for pickup on Dec. 23. Pre-orders available until sold out or Dec. 18. Price is $350. 

Cowgirl Kitchen is offering holiday to-go options that will be available for pickup on Christmas Eve. Selection includes grazing boards, dips, breakfast casseroles, dinner entrees, sides and more. 

Ongoing Holiday Happenings

Holiday Craft Kits at Alys Beach Shoppe: A holiday themed craft kit will help bring the spirit of Alys Beach events into homes with gingerbread houses, a New Year’s Eve party-in-a-box and other festive crafts. Available at the Alys Shoppe. Options include, $5 snowman ornament craft, $5 elf puppet craft, $5 DIY reindeer antler headband, $10 make your own gingerbread house kit and a $50 New Year’s Eve party in a box.

Holiday Drinks at Amavida Coffee Roasters: Coffee lovers can celebrate the holiday season by warming up with new holiday inspired drinks at Amavida Coffee Roasters. Cafe baristas have created the Cookie Butter Latte and the Winter Mint Matcha. Sales on locally roasted coffee beans will be available for online shoppers throughout December. Amavida is also excited to announce that the coffee shop is now certified plastic neutral and 100% carbon responsible.

Recurring Events:

12 Nights of Light at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in December: A festive outdoor light show will set the holiday scene three nights each week in December.

Wednesday Night Concert Series - Holiday Edition + Visits with Santa at The Village of Baytowne Wharf: 6- 8 p.m. Get in the winter spirit with the Village of Baytowne Wharf and listen to some of your favorite holiday classics. Enjoy the holiday edition of the Wednesday Night Concert Series every Wednesday in the first three weeks of December. Each concert will feature a festive choreographed light show and visits with Santa. Event is free to attend and held in the open air.

Grand Boulevard at Sandestin Friday and Saturday Nights, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Coastal White Christmas brings tens of thousands of beautiful white lights and festive decor throughout Grand Boulevard's Town Center. Take in their stunning traditional 30-foot Christmas tree, perfect for picture taking, day or night. The expansive lighting - from one of the Town Center to the other - brings a festive and magical spirit to the Boulevard throughout the Center. Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy Christmas carolers as they stroll about, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.