Christmas comes to Destin

Christmas at Destin Commons
Santa will take up residence in his Santa Station by Panera Bread and children are welcome to visit and have professional photos taken.
Station hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and Dec. 14-18; 3 to 7 p.m. Sundays; 1 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 21-23; 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 20 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 24.
Holiday Nights and Lights shows will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Center Plaza. Participating will be:
Dec. 8: NWF State College Soundsations Show Choir
Dec. 10: Dance Elite
Dec. 15: Pyramid Players Group
Dec. 17: Northwest Florida Youth Chorus

Christmas on the Coast at Grand Boulevard
Christmas on the Coast is celebrated every weekend through Christmas as the Town Center is transformed for the holiday season.
Each Friday and Saturday night, strolling carolers and twinkling lights will greet visitors, providing a beautiful and inspirational setting for enjoying the Town Center, shopping and dining. 
The Pro Arte Chorale of Northwest Florida performs traditional holiday music from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday night throughout Grand Boulevard’s Town Center.
Blast From The Past and The Scrooge will perform Dec. 5 and The Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra takes the stage Dec. 12 and 19.

Mattie Kelly Arts Center holiday concerts
The holiday season kicks off with a series of free and ticketed events at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College. Events requiring tickets may be purchased from the Mattie Kelly Box Office in-person or by phone at 850-729-6000.
•Dec. 5: Junior Orchestra Winter Concert, 11 a.m., Tyler Recital Hall, Free. Group of musicians in grades 4 to 8 from Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa County schools will perform classical and holiday favorites.
•Dec. 11: Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra “Holiday Pops”, 7:30 p.m., Mainstage, $22.50 adults and $16 youth 18 and under and active-duty military.
•Dec. 12: Northwest Florida Youth Chorus “Christmas on the Bayou”, 11 a.m., Tyler Recital Hall, Free. Young vocalists in grades 4-8 who will perform holiday favorites.

Dinner Theatre
The dinner theatre production “Such a Night as This” will be presented by 2nd Acts drama group at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at Grace Lutheran Church, 4325 Commons Drive.
Tickets are $12.50 and available at Eagle's Wings Book & Gifts, 14071 F, Emerald Coast Parkway, near Office Max. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.

A Touch of Christmas
The Christian Symphonic Band & Strings will perform a Christmas concert, “A Touch of Christmas,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Navarre United Methodist Church, 9474 Navarre Parkway. Concerts are free with a love offering taken.
 
Christmas Open House at Camp Walton Schoolhouse
The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center will hold its annual Christmas Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Camp Walton Schoolhouse and the Garnier Post Office.
The museums will offer a day of live entertainment, children’s games and crafts, home-baked goodies, local history and letters to Santa. Both historic sites will be decorated for an old-fashioned celebration as visitors enjoy the activities and free refreshments for the day.
Heritage Park & Cultural Center is at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE.
 
Holiday on the Harbor Christmas Parade
The inaugural “Holiday on the Harbor Christmas Parade” will take place Dec. 5 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Destin Fishing Fleet docks adjacent to HarborWalk Charters/Marina. The finale will be the post parade party and award celebration.
The Toy Land Train will lead the parade filled with floats, fun throws, candy, and more. Coastal Christmas magic will be the theme of this festive family event.
Children are encouraged to dress like their favorite Christmas character from elves to snowmen and will be able to make their own ornament for the HarborWalk Village Christmas tree.
The community-based parade is open to the public and will accept entries that roll, float, pedal and push. From golf carts, roller skates, wagons, go-carts to shopping carts, all are welcome. Entry fee is $10 and all participants are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food items to benefit Destin Harvest. Proceeds benefit Destin Harvest.
The Best Overall float will receive $100 and a two night stay at Emerald Grande. Best Holiday Theme will receive $100 and Most Creative will receive $50. HarborWalk Village will also offer awards for Community Spirit and Judge's Choice. For an entry form visit www.harborwalkdestin.com.

Santa at Silver Sands
Santa Claus flies into Silver Sands at noon Dec. 5 via Sacred Heart Hospital’s AirHeart helicopter. All children under eight years old are invited to dress up in festive holiday costumes and join in the Santa Parade. Following the parade will be snacks, a special appearance by “Prince” and “Princess” Bears of Sacred Heart, photo opportunities with Santa and a costume contest featuring great prizes. All proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.
Santa will also be at Charity Gift Wrap from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. Shoppers can have their photos taken with Santa and give him their wish list this holiday season for a donation of $5 that will benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast.

Breakfast with Santa
Join Santa for breakfast at Hard Rock Café from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Cost is $9.95, under 2 eat free, and includes breakfast, photo with Santa and small gift. RSVP at 850-654-3310.

The Nutcracker
The Ballet Conservatory and Destin School of Music and Dance will present its annual presentation of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Featuring more than 80 local dancers, this production will be held at the South Walton High School Auditorium, 645 Greenway Trail.
Seating is reserved. For more details, visit floridaballetconservatory.com or call 850-837-1133.

Pancakes with Santa
Magnolia Grill will host its annual Pancakes with Santa breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5. The event is for the Northwest Florida Daily News’ Empty Stocking Fund to benefit the Salvation Army.
Tickets are $5. A special edition of WFTW/News Talk 1260’s Wake-Up Call show will be held from 6 to 9 a.m. Dec. 4 to feature organizations who help those in need and to sell tickets to the breakfast. Call 302-0266 or 243-2323.

Breakfast with Santa
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Auxiliary will host its 26th annual Breakfast with Santa 8-10 a.m. Dec. 5 in the hospital cafeteria. Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves will be there. After breakfast, children will be escorted by volunteer elves on a special shopping spree to Santa’s Workshop where they will be assisted in buying gifts from $1 to $5.
Tickets for the breakfast are $3/adults and $2/children in advance at the Gift Shop or at the door. Call 243-5860.

Countdown to Christmas at the Destin Library
Area residents will enjoy an afternoon of music and shopping when the Destin Library hosts Countdown to Christmas from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 5. The event is free and open to the public.
Scheduled activities include a musical performance by Furioso 5, a flute quintet, at 2 p.m.
Shop for jewelry by the Destin United Methodist Women, purses by Festive Fashions, Marge’s Art & Holiday Cajun Pickles for St. Andrews by-the-Sea, and more.
Canned food donations will be accepted for the Harvest House Pantry.
Call 837-8572 ext. 104.

Christmas Around the World
Join AAA and bring the kids for a fun-filled day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at Baytowne Wharf of Sandestin. Help those who are less fortunate.
Activities include ice skating, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, music and more. Also, create gifts with Home Depot and Build a Bear and the police department will have ID kits for children.
Admission is $7, which goes to provide gifts for military overseas, plus a donation to one of the following: PAWS, dog food; Children in Crisis, old coats for children; Sharing and Caring, canned food; and Toys For Tots, toys.

Blackwater Heritage Tour
Venture back into history with a celebration of a Civil War period Southern Christmas Furlough, Bagdad 1862, from 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5.
Tickets available in advance or at the ticket tents on Forsyth Street. Guests must have a ticket to take the tour.
Visit homes from that period as well as more “modern” ones constructed circa 1910. Share music and memories as well as some authentic desserts and beverages as you stroll the tree-lined main street of this National Register Historic Village.
Fair warning, there will be authentic troop inspections of these homes for conscripts and runaways, but all guests are invited to visit the military headquarters located next to Mr. Brown's Barber Shop.
Guests will have a tour ornament to wear on their lapel, tour entry ticket and program. After parking their cars and checking in at one of the ticket tents, they are free to begin at any of the stops listed on the five-block length. Tickets will be stamped or punched at each stop. Tour guides will be on site to answer questions.
Music from the Bagdad Elementary School choir and Bagdad Methodist Church organist will set the season, as will assorted holiday treats at each of the tour homes.
Parking at either end of Forsyth Street makes it convenient for guests. Handicapped parking is available along the route, however, not all the home have wheelchair ramps.
Admission is $20/adults and $10/children 12 and under. Tickets are available at Top's Appliance, Hwy 90 at Stewart Street; Copper Possum Antiques, Hwy. 90, East Milton; Village Homes & Land Office, Forsyth Street, Bagdad; Bagdad Village Museum, Church Street; Santa Rosa Chamber Office, Stewart Street, Milton; and Navarre Chamber of Commerce, U.S. 98, Navarre.
Continue the tradition enjoyed by so many over the past 25 years and start your holidays with the Blackwater Heritage Tour
Call 850-981-2623 or 850-983-3005 for information.

Open house at Walton County Heritage Museum
The Walton County Heritage Museum will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 at 1140 Circle Drive in  DeFuniak Springs.
Several other complimentary ticketed events are being held in DeFuniak Springs this same day.
 Numerous short films are available for viewing that will enhance the Victorian home tours as well as shopping and dining. Unique historic books, films, commemorative stones and gifts are available.
Brenda Rees, WCHM board chairman said, “This is a great time of year to visit Walton County. The beaches in South Walton are beautiful and the historic venues of Walton County are exceptional. Autumn and winter are perfect times to invite friends and relatives to visit. Bring a friend and join us.”
The Walton County Heritage Museum is part of the Walton County Heritage Association and depends upon the support of its members and the business community to accomplish its goals. Annual dues are $15 for individuals and $25 for couples. Mail checks to PO Box 1681, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.
The Museum’s regular hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and admission is free. Donations are appreciated. For more information, call 850-951-2127
The Tour of Homes and the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Tree Festival will be held the same day. The annual light tour on the historic circle is that evening.

SWFD Elf Ride
The South Walton Fire District will  host the Second Annual Elf Ride Down 30-A Dec. 6.
Children and parents will meet at the Seaside Post Office and bicycle or walk to the South Walton Fire District Station 2/WaterColor.
Bring a wrapped toy to benefit the Angel Tree, and label boy or girl, age and toy description.
Along with tours of Station 2 and fire trucks, there will be hot chocolate and holiday treats for all.
Wear your Santa or elf hat and get festive — use your imagination and decorate your bicycles. Call 850-267-1298.

Book Sale and Holiday Cookie Swap
Friends of the Fort Walton Beach Public Library will conduct a book sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 9. Funds raised will assist with buying books, DVDs, children’s programs and other patron-service items.
A Holiday Cookie Swap will also take place at 11 a.m. in the library meeting room. Call 833-9590 by Dec. 1 to sign up for the cookie swap.

Sounds of the Season — ‘A Baby Changes Everything’
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will present their annual Christmas concert, Sounds of the Season — “A Baby Changes Everything,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Village Baptist Church in Destin. A 150-member community choir from Destin United Methodist, Destin Assembly, Destin First Baptist, Shoreline and Village Baptist will perform sacred and Christmas classics. Also performing will be a community children's choir.
Admission is a donation of a new, unwrapped child’s toy.
A love offering at intermission will benefit the Tom Rappazini Scholarship Fund in support of art and education programs for children. Call 650-2226 or visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.

Little/Big Holiday Party
The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa invites employers to treat their teams, large and small, to the Sixth Annual Little/Big Holiday Party beginning with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Buffet dinner and dancing from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Entertainment provided by The Prime Time Band with Lucy Garcia. Along with dinner, partygoers will enjoy fabulous food, door prizes, cash bars and dancing.
Cost of the event is $44 per person plus tax (includes dinner and one complimentary drink ticket). For party reservations or more information, call 850-267-9689.

Christmas on the Coast
The Pensacola Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Allen and Susan Pote, will present its annual production of  “Christmas on the Coast” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Saenger Theatre. More than 300 young performers, ages 9-18, will dazzle audiences with their singing, choreography and breathtaking costumes.
Tickets are on sale at the Saenger Theatre box office (850-595-3880; open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), at all TicketMaster outlets, and at ticketmaster.com or charge by phone by calling 850-595-3880.
Ticket prices are $17, $27 and $29. Prices are subject to additional Saenger Theatre facility and processing fees at the time of purchase. Call 850-434-7760.

Destin Community Center Kids’ Night Out
A Kids’ Night Out with Santa will be held for ages 5 through 12 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Parents can do their shopping while children enjoy games, pizza, a movie and a visit from Santa.
The cost is $20 per child for Destin residents and $30 for non-Destin residents. There is a $5 discount for each additional child. Registration is required in advance. Call 654-5184.

Destin’s 24th Annual Christmas Parade
The City of Destin's 24th Annual Christmas Parade will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 from the Downtown Destin Shopping Center  to Stahlman Avenue.

Santa’s Workshop
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge presents its Second Annual Santa's Workshop at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach. Children can write a letter to Santa, decorate holiday cookies, complete a craft, visit with Santa and enjoy an indoor snowfall.
Workshop will be open from 12 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 19-24. Pet photos will be offered from 12 to 3 p.m. Dec. 13. Call 685-9014.
 
Breakfast with Santa
The 12th annual Breakfast with Santa takes place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at Van R. Butler Elementary in Santa Rosa Beach. Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door.

Doggy Fashion Show
The Seventh annual Holiday Doggy Fashion Show will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 in Center Plaza at Destin Commons. Registration is from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Registration fee per dog is $5 with proceeds benefiting Alaqua Animal Refuge.
Don’t have a dog? Then bring the kids and come out as a spectator — it’s a howling good time to see these costumed dogs of all breeds “modeling”.

Claus and Paws – Santa Pet Photos
Bring your pup for a special visit with the Destin Commons Santa from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12 and 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 22 in Santa Station by Panera Bread. Professional photos offered.

Yule of Yesteryear
Enjoy old fashioned Christmas festivities at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida and Perrine Park during Yule of Yesterday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12. The event is free and open to the public.
Walton Guard will reenact Christmas of 1861 dressed in Civil War costumes.
There will be ornament-making for children, demonstrations of local crafts, a bake sale and old-fashioned games and toys available for purchase in the museum’s Gift Shop & Book Store.
The Victorian Tea will be held at 2 p.m. Cost is $10; $5 for HMNF members. Reservations and payment must be received in advance. For reservations call 850 678-2615.

Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade
The Destin History and Fishing Museum will host the 23rd Holiday on the Harbor Destin Boat Parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 13. The parade can be viewed from docks and restaurants west of Grand Harbor Condominiums.
Entry forms may be picked up at the Museum, Destin Community Center, City Hall or Destin Chamber of Commerce. Request a form by fax at 850-837-6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@embarqmail.com. Entry fee is $25/boat.

Jazzy Yuletide concert
The Playground Big Band and the Emerald Coast Community Band present “Happy Holidays ... and all that jazz,” a festive Yuletide concert, at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Fort Walton Beach Municipal Auditorium. Proceeds from the concert will inaugurate a scholarship fund to send promising young local musicians to band and jazz camps.
Tickets are $10 and available from any band member, at Playground Music Center in Uptown Station, or at the door, if any left. For more details, e-mail wilcor@aolcom or call 420-0947.

Countdown Seaside
The Merchants of Seaside are “putting on the Ritz” for Countdown Seaside, a New Year’s Eve celebration with a  family-friendly party featuring live entertainment, kid’s art projects and a fireworks display at midnight over the Gulf of Mexico.
Events begin with Delta Highway in the Amphitheater at 7 p.m., followed by Terrance Simien  & The Zydeco Experience at 9:30 p.m.
Abrakadoodle will offer free art projects, including making noisemakers and party hats, for the children from 7 to 10 p.m. Face-painters will be on hand for the young and young-at-heart in the festive spirit.