We hope you've had a great start to the new year! Now, it's time to plan for some much-deserved recreation. February is packed with local activities and events that are fun for the whole family. We hope you take some time to enjoy new experiences, in new places, with new people this coming year. Check out some of the happenings along the Emerald Coast and plan a visit. If you're lucky enough to be local – enjoy them all!
FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:
PCB Mardi Gras Music Festival
When: February 3rd
Where: Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater
Description: Combine the excitement of authentic Mardi Gras celebration with the spectacular views of our emerald green water and sugar white sand, and you're in for a real treat at the Panama City Beach Mardi Gras and Music Festival on February 3 - 4, 2023. In conjunction with the Krewe of Dominique Youx's great Mardi Gras at the Beach parade, the festival features entertainment for the whole family.
Panama City Beach Mardi Gras & Music Festival
Friday, Feb. 3 | 4PM - 8PM
Saturday, Feb. 4 | 12PM - 8PM
Attendees will also enjoy float tours, the kids fun zone, multiple parades, live music, fireworks and more! Sign up for the Mardi Gras 5k/Fun Run, kicking of Saturday's festivities.
When: February 4th
Where: Hilton Sandestin
Description: The Sacred Heart Foundation is once again rolling out the green carpet for the Annual Emerald Ball on Saturday, February 4 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The black-tie gala will feature a seated dinner, live music and dancing, an opportunity to win a $5,000 shopping spree at McCaskill and Company, and a wine and bourbon pull.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit sacredheartemeraldball.com.
Guests are encouraged to wear shades of emerald for the elegant event. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing.
When: February 11th
Where: Eden Gardens State Park
Description: The Friends of Eden Gardens invite the community to the annual Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park on Saturday, February 11th from 10:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m.
Visitors are invited to stroll through amazing gardens full of unique Camellias, see displays and demonstrations, historic re-enactments, and learn about Camellia propagating and growing. Camellias will be available for a donation from the nursery.
The annual festival is hosted by Friends of Eden Gardens State Park. Attendance is free with paid park admission ($4 per car). Additional parking for the event will be at Bay School with tram service to the park.
When: February11th
Where: Grand Boulevard
Description: Join Dog-Harmony for Love & Football: A Dog Promenade from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Grand Boulevard. Fur parents are encouraged to dress up their pups in a uniform of their favorite football team or a Valentine's Day theme. The event will feature Gulf Coast gourmet from JC's Gourmet, hot dogs served by the Residence Inn by Courtyard, as well as beer and wine offered for donations.
The $15 entry fee includes a professional digital photo of your doggie celebrity sponsored by Mills Photo Design and the chance to win fabulous prizes! Prizes will be awarded in two weight categories for Best Dressed, Most Creative, and Most Enthusiastic pups.
Dog-Harmony is a nonprofit organization in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Follow Dog Harmony on Facebook for updates on their training classes, events and socials. Visit dog-harmony.org/ to learn more, volunteer, donate, adopt.
Second Annual Brunch Fest
When: February 11th
Where: HarborWalk Village
Description: There’s just no egg-scuse to miss the upcoming, second annual Brunch Fest at HarborWalk Village on Saturday, February 11th from 12:00 to 3:00 PM! Brunch Fest will be off to a fry-ing start featuring a mouthwatering display of all your favorite breakfast bites and sips from local chefs, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and the like! Don’t just sample and sip - lay claim to your favorite and cast your vote for the best of the best!
Have you ever had a bad day that started with champagne? Us either. Welcomed by a mimosa in hand, you’ll transport your taste buds into a flavorful world of crispy, crunchy, cheesy goodness served only by the most iconic brunch spots along the Emerald Coast.
What’s brunch without the perfect bite-to-sip ratio? New to this year’s festival is the Brunch Sips Competition - a chance for master mixers to showcase their boldest breakfast brew or cocktail! When we think brunch, we think Mimosas and Bloody Marys. However, this group of talented mixologists is here to prove - there are endless flavors to satisfy any early afternoon palate.
This year HarborWalk Village has partnered with the Emerald Coast Autism Center, a local non-profit dedicated to educating and improving the lives of individuals with autism in Okaloosa and Walton counties and surrounding areas. A portion of proceeds from this year’s Brunch Fest will go directly in support of the Emerald Coast Autism Center. Thanks to a generous grant from the Dugas Family Foundation, those proceeds will be doubled and allocated towards ECAC’s newest addition - the Emerald Coast Learning Center!
When: February 11-12th
Where: South Walton
Description: Valentine’s weekend typically means romantic dinners and flowers for most, but for South Walton residents and visitors alike, it also signals the highly anticipated annual Valentine Tour of Homes. The two-day event offers a self-guided tour through some of South Walton’s most unique homes representing diverse architectural styles, beautiful interior design, historic significance and fine art collections.
FEBRUARY 11 | 10:00AM – 4:00PM
FEBRUARY 12 | 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Fall in love with some of South Walton’s most interesting homes while raising funds for the CAA’s “Art For All” Program. To volunteer, visit culturalartsalliance.com/volunteer.
Super Bowl Party
When: February 12th
Where: Red Fish Taco
Description: Red Fish Taco invites you to watch the big game as they host a Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 12th. The party starts at 5:30PM. Enjoy a live stream of the game on multiple large screens, smoked wings, $2 tacos, $6 margs, $3 longnecks, and live music!
Sunday, February 12
5:30PM | Party Begins
5 - 8PM | LIVE MUSIC with The Pickled Pickers
In the heart of Blue Mountain Beach at Redfish Village is Red Fish Taco - a vibrant, family-friendly eatery and bar where Mexico meets the Gulf of Mexico and tacos and tequila are the main events. Check out the Red Fish Taco Facebook page for food, drink and live music updates.
Seaside School Half Marathon + 5k Race
When: February 17-19th
Where: Seaside Neighborhood School
Description: The Seaside School Half Marathon + 5K will take place Feb. 17th - 19th in Seaside, Florida. The three-day charity race weekend kicks off with the coastal cuisine event Taste of the Race on Friday night, then proceeds to a fun-for-all-ages Race Expo on Saturday, and culminates on Sunday morning with the running of the half marathon + 5K along the iconic Highway 30A starting and finishing in Seaside.
Learn more at runseasidefl.com!
Friday, Feb. 17 | Taste of the Race
Party-goers can attend this delicious Seaside party that features local chefs and restaurateurs competing for the top culinary awards including the coveted Chef’s Choice Award.
Saturday, Feb. 18 | Race Expo
Runners are invited to pick-up their race packets at the Seaside Neighborhood School and enjoy the Expo taking place in the Seaside Lyceum.
Sunday, Feb. 19 | Seaside School Half Marathon + 5K
The race weekend comes to a pinnacle with the half marathon (13.1 miles) starting at 6:45 AM and 5K (3.1 miles) at 7:05 AM. Both races – the half marathon and 5K – start in the town of Seaside with an out-and-back run along the coastal dune lakes of Highway 30A.
100% of the funds raised from the race weekend benefits the Seaside Schools Foundation, which supports the operating budget for the Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School. The Seaside School, Inc. is tuition-free, public charter school serving students across Walton County.
When: February 18th
Where: HarborWalk Village
Description: Celebrate Mardi Gras on the Destin Harbor! HarborWalk Village will host an epic Mardi Gras Celebration on Saturday, February 18th from 2:00PM -5:30PM with LIVE music by Fais Do-Do, followed by beads, dazzling floats, and street performers as the parade rolls through the Village at 4:00 PM.
HarborWalk Mardi Gras Celebration
Saturday, Feb. 18th || 2 PM - 5:30 PM
Come out to HarborWalk Village along the Destin Harbor where restaurants, activities and entertainment live year round. HarborWalk Village is home to the Destin Fishing Fleet, the largest charter fishing fleet in the country. And where there is great fishing, there are great seafood restaurants, HarborWalk is no exception. Here you’ll find an array of cuisine that is fresh, local and delicious.
When: February 18-19th
Where: Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater
Description: The Annual Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is coming back to Panama City Beach at Aaron Bessant Park on February 18th & 19th from Noon to 5PM, VIP hour 11AM - Noon. This is a family-friendly event.
Thirty of Florida’s most popular food trucks will dish out fan favorites while 50+ national, regional and local craft beers will be available to wash it all down. This 2023 festival will be a weekend of craft beer, great food, lawn games, music, and fun for the whole family.
Mardi Gras Brunch
When: February 19th
Where: AJ's Grayton Beach
Description: AJ's Grayton Beach is encouraging you to let the good times roll on Sunday, February 19 with a special New Orleans Brunch. Dikki Du and The Zydeco Krewe will be on stage at 11AM-3PM followed by Blackeyed Blonde 4-8PM. Enjoy Bloody Mary’s Bar & bottomless mimosas along with New Orleans inspired brunch items!
When: February 19th & 21st
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: The Village streets will be filled with costumed dogs and their humans along with unique and colorful floats, golf carts, and pick up trucks at the annual Baytowne Mardi Gras Parade. On Sunday, February 19th from 2 - 5PM, Mardi Gras music will fill the air as four-pawed friends and parade participants shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies, and other trinkets.
"Laissez les bon temps rouler" (let the good times roll) with the Baytowne Mardi Street Pardi on Tuesday, February 21. Starting at 6 pm join friends and family for a Village Street party complete with music, street performers, entertainers and more.The post-pardi celebration continues into the night with parties at various Baytowne establishments. So break out the beads and get ready for a night to remember!
Mardi Gras Party | Sunday, Feb. 19th at 2PM
Mardi Gras Street Party | Tuesday, Feb. 21st at 6PM
The Village of Baytowne Wharf is the heart and soul of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the gathering place for many locals and visitors along the Emerald Coast. Learn more about shopping, dining, nightlife and events at baytownewharf.com and on Facebook.
When: February 24-25th
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: The Sandestin Gumbo Festival takes place in The Village of Baytowne Wharf on Feb 24th & 25th. The event is a beloved local winter tradition in South Walton, Florida. Featuring gumbo tasting throughout The Village as well as a bloody mary competition and live music. This year’s event is promising to serve up fun for everyone.
Visit SandestinGumboFestival.com for tickets and details, including a daily schedule of events and entertainment. Event will happen rain or shine.
Seafood Boil Kick-Off Party
Friday, February 24th | 5 - 7 PM
Kick-off the weekend at Hammerhead’s bar & Grille with a delicious Seafood Boil. Purchase plate at the door. Also enjoy LIVE music starting at 4pm.
Sandestin Gumbo Festival Main Event: Gumbo & Bloody Marys
Saturday , February 25th | 12 - 4 PM | The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Sample a variety of gumbo and vote your favorite as the “People’s Choice” winner! Dark or light roux? Chicken, sausage or seafood? Celebrity judges will name the “Area’s Best.” The Best Bloody Mary’s at The Beach competition is BACK! Taste some of the finest bars’ and restaurants’ Bloody Marys on the coast AND you’re the judge! Vote for your favorite and help them win the title of “Best Bloody Mary at The Beach”!
Gulf Coast restaurants will be featured along with live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe and children’s activities.
Shrimp & Grits Festival
When: February 25th
Where: Brotula's Seafood House
Description: Enjoy delicious food, great drinks and live music on the Destin Harbor as local restaurants compete at the annual Shrimp & Grits Festival. The festival will be held behind Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer on Saturday, February 25 from Noon til 4:00 PM, VIP admission begins at 11AM.
Learn more and get tickets at: shrimpandgritsfest.com
Enjoy creative twists of this classic southern dish, refreshing drinks, a LIVE DJ and so much more. Local chefs and restaurants will dish out their best shrimp and grits in hopes of securing your vote for best Shrimp and Grits on the Emerald Coast!
All proceeds from the Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, a non-profit organization with clubs located in Pensacola, Crestview, South Walton, Defuniak Springs, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach.
When: February 26th
Where: Vue on 30A
Description: Join Caring and Sharing of South Walton at the Annual Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon. The event will be held Sunday, February 26 at Vue on 30a beginning at 12:30PM. During the event, guests will enjoy a fashion show, lunch, silent auction, music and a photo booth.
Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at the Caring & Sharing facility located at 112 Lynn Drive, SRB.
All funds raised at the Annual Fashion Show will allow Caring and Sharing of South Walton to continue providing food, utility, prescription, and basic need assistance to residents of South Walton County.
The Red Bar Jazz Band @ The Red Bar
Nightly | 5:30-9PM
Karaoke @ AJ's Grayton Beach
Every Thursday | 7PM
Live Music @ Fish Out of Water | WaterColor
Every Friday | 6-9PM
Every Sunday | 11AM-1PM
Farmer's Markets
Every Thursday @ The Big Chill on 30A
Every Saturday @ Seaside, Grand Boulevard, Watersound & Baytowne
Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach & Hammock Bay
Planning to be in town?
Let's Chat!
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