CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST 2015 (11-25)
“Oh, by gosh, by golly, It’s time for mistletoe and holly …”
Visit Santa, enjoy the music of the season and watch beautifully staged productions.
Thanksgiving at Harbor Docks
This is the 20th anniversary of Thanksgiving dinner with Harbor Docks and Habitat for Humanity from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at 538 U.S. 98 in Destin. While offering a complimentary meal to every guest, Habitat volunteers accept tips; a cash bar will be available. Reservations are not needed.
Santa's Arrival
Santa makes his grand entrance to the Destin harbor at the Christmas season kick off from 12-4 p.m. Nov. 27 at HarborWalk Village. Kids will enjoy free activities and can visit with Santa Claus. The event is free and open to the public.
HH Arts Holiday Event
HH Arts presents a holiday event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27-28 at 100 Beal Parkway SW in Fort Walton Beach. Purchase one of a kind gifts of art (all mediums), jewelry, hand made candles, carved items, hand made clay items and more.
Visit with Santa
Bring your wishlist and visit with Santa Claus on HarborWalk Village’s main stage from 12-4 p.m. Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5, 12, and 19-20. All of Santa’s guests receive a special treat.
Geek Lights
The Geek Lights on the Corner Christmas lights and music show begins Nov. 30 and runs nightly through Jan. 3 at the corner of Bluewater Boulevard and Antiqua Way in Bluewater Bay. Shows begin on the hour and half hour starting at 6 p.m. with the last show starting at Sunday-Thursday, and 10:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Wednesday Night Concert Holiday Series
Enjoy a free special holiday edition with Van R. Butler Chorus from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 2 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Event continues throughout December.
• Dec. 16: Niceville Opus One
Christmas Tree Lighting
The 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, hosted by the City of Destin, will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Destin Community Center. There will be entertainment from local choruses, musical groups, etc. with refreshments being served after the lighting of the tree. Donations of canned food will be collected for families in need.
Santa's Arrival at Silver Sands
Silver Sands Premium Outlets welcomes Santa in the courtyard in front of Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th to greet Santa as he arrives on a fire truck from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Children can get their picture taken with Santa and enjoy face painting and holiday crafts provided by Abrakadoodle. Be sure to bring your camera for photos with Santa.
A Dicken's Christmas
Share cookies and tea with family and friends in a cozy, festive atmosphere while experiencing a unique adaptation of Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19 and 2 p.m. Dec. 12 (performance for special needs family) and Dec. 19 at HarborWalk Village. Tickets are $20/adults and $10/children 5-12 and $15/$8 for special needs family at http://www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org/#!tickets/cnpp
Chanukah Menorah Lighting
A grand menorah lighting takes place at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 on the main stage at HarborWalk Village. Enjoy hot latkes, Chanukah music and kids activities. For more information visit chabademeraldcoast.org.
HH Arts Christmas Market
Purchase one-of-a-kind gifts of art (all mediums), jewelry, carved items, handmade candles, handmade clay items, and ornaments Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8-24 at HH Arts, 100 Beal Parkway SW in Fort Walton Beach. Call 218-2155.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told
The Repertory Theatre is bringing the smash hit, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, to the Destin Harbor Boardwalk from 7:30-9 p.m. Dec. 9, 11, 13 and 16 and a benefit for Mattie Kelly All Kinds of Art program at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Bart Rockett Theater. Order tickets at http://lovetherep.com/every-christmas-story-ever-told-and-then-some-6/.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Denise Levy, Miss MatchMaker with MatchMaker Gulf Coast, Zugeinly Guevara with Bric à Brac and Jeremiah Brewer are sponsoring this charitable social from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 10 at Bric à Brac. There will be a contest for the Ugliest Christmas Sweater (singles only) and sponsoring Harvest House Destin to help those in need. Men should bring a jar of peanut butter and women a jar of jelly. For information and to pre-register, visit http://www.missmatchmakerlive.com/upcoming-850-events.html
Holiday Pops
The NFSO Holiday Pops concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 in the mainstage theater of the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center in Niceville, features more than 70 voices of the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale and Belle Voci Women’s Ensemble. Tickets are $25 and $18 and available at 729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.
Zoobilee of Lights
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park's second annual Zoobilee of Lights will be held from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 11-12 and 18-23 at 5262 Deer Springs Road in Crestview. Lights, entertainment, snowfall, cookie decorating, and a special appearance by Santa and friends highlight the evening. Admission is $7 and $4 for children 5 and younger. Food and beverage will be available for purchase via local food vendors. Exhibit viewing will be limited as some of the animals are taken inside at night.
Christmas Parade
The City of Destin’s 31st Annual Christmas Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 12. This year’s theme is “A Storybook Christmas.” The floats will start at Downtown Destin Shopping Center (Old Time Pottery) and travel west down Harbor Boulevard to Nightown on Stahlman Avenue. Please stand on the north side of Harbor Boulevard to watch the floats. Call 654-5184 for more information.
Tuba Christmas, Holiday Lantern Parade
Playground Music Center presents a Tuba Christmas where over 30 brass instruments play all the holiday classics at 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. The sixth annual Holiday Lantern Parade with decorated paper lanterns and golf carts strolling the streets begins at 6 p.m. Then visit with Santa and enjoy live music on the stage.
Special Edition Holiday ArtWalk
All day outdoor gallery and entertainment for a special Holiday ArtWalk along HarborWalk Village from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12-13. Call 424-0600.
The Nutcracker
Featuring nearly 100 local dancers, the Ballet Conservatory and Destin School of Music and Dance present The Nutcracker at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at South Walton High School. Seating is reserved, so order tickets at www.FloridaBalletConservatory.com or call 837-1133.
Breakfast with Santa
Ring in the holiday cheer with breakfast with Santa Claus from 8-11 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday between Dec 12 and 20 at Grande Vista Bar & Grill in Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village. Make reservations at 424-0621.
Boat Parade
The 29th annual Holiday on the Harbor Destin Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks hosted by the Destin History and Fishing Museum and Margaritaville will be held Dec. 13. Festivities will be held that afternoon along the harbor and the boat parade will start at 6 p.m. Festivities include fireworks. Rain date Dec. 20.
Gingerbread House Decorating
Make your own Gingerbread House at 3 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Events Plaza at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Presented by Abrakadoodle, kids can ring in the holiday cheer with their own free gingerbread masterpiece.
Children's Fiesta
United for a Good Cause Inc., a tax exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization, hosts its 11th Annual “Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle” Needy Children’s Fiesta from 2-7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Striving for Perfection Ministries, 24 Bass Ave. SW in Fort Walton Beach. The event will be a fun-filled “Latin-Flavored” party open to needy children and families regardless of race, ethnicity or creed, and it will also include activities for special needs kids.
Everything will be free at this party including new toys for all that attend, food, games, DJs, singers, church choirs, clowns, magicians, dance contests for bikes and more. Free coats courtesy of the United Way’s “Coats for Kids” program will also be given out. Santa and his hard-working group of elves will all be there to ensure all the kids get a new toy. Visit www.unitedforagoodcause.org or call 368-3505 for information.
His Greatest Gift Camp
All Kidz grades K-5 can create unique gifts for family and friends and learn about the Great Gift of All from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at Coastline Calvary Church in Destin and Dec. 21 at Good News United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa Beach. Suggested donation is $35. Call 586-8264 to register or visit www.holykidzcamps.com to sponsor a child.
Festival of Trees
Festival of Trees, an annual tree decorating contest where area non-profit organizations vie for $5,000 is cash prizes, has the trees on display through Dec. 25 in Grand Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. This event is free and open to the public.
Destin Night’s 12 Pubs of Christmas
It’s that time of year to don your Christmas best and spread some cheer along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 19. It will be a come and go style with a “shot gun” start and will end at Harry T's for a party at midnight. Cost is $10 to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Top prizes will be randomly drawn from everyone who gets all 12 stops and is in attendance at the party at Harry T’s. Passes are on sale at http://12pubsofchristmas.eventbrite.com/
Street Party
Party all night with thousands at HarborWalk Village's Street Party Dec. 31. There will be a live concert on main stage, fireworks at 8 p.m. and midnight and the 8th Annual Ball Drop.
The Grande Gala-New Year’s Eve Party
Countdown to the stroke of midnight with the annual ball drop and enjoy the best view for fireworks on the harbor from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 at the Emerald Grande. $99/person includes dinner, live music by Cool Rayz and dancing. Cocktail attire encouraged. Call 424-0622 for reservatiions.
Baytowne Countdown
The Village of Baytowne Wharf's free end-of-year celebration begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Dance the night away and enjoy breathtaking fireworks as they light up the sky over the lagoon at midnight. Live entertainment until 1 a.m. After 10 p.m., 21 and over and 20 and under must be accompanies by a legal guardian.
Cocktails and Countdown
A sleek and sexy New Year’s Eve party with fine foods, cocktails, music and dancing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 at HarborWalk Village. DJ Vladi turns up the volume as you raise your glass for a champagne toast as the ball drops over the Destin harbor and fireworks light up the sky. Cost is $25/person advance and $30/day of. Limited tickets available; call 424-0622.