Summer is officially here! It's a great time to relax and enjoy all the happenings here along the Emerald Coast. Weekly events take place in popular communities and hot spots along the coast. July is jam-packed with lots of fun and family-friendly local happenings. Check them out and plan a visit! If you're lucky enough to be local – enjoy them all!
FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Stargazing
When: July 2nd
Where: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Description: Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Saturday, July 2nd from 4:30PM - 9PM for an evening of spectacular stargazing. Bring your special someone to safely look at the sun through solar telescopes. Once the sun sets, check out amazing constellations and other features of the night sky. Meet at Tram Station 1. Event is free with paid park entry.
Park programs are made possible by Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, located on the west side of Scenic 30A in South Walton, offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. To learn more about the park, please visit: floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill
When: July 2-4th
Where: HarborWalk Village
Description: Let Freedom Ring this Independence Day at HarborWalk Village! Spend your holiday weekend on the beautiful Destin harbor with family and friends, July 2nd - July 4th. $10 On-Site Parking Fee
Event Schedule:
Saturday, July 2nd
7 PM | 18 Miles Band
Sunday, July 3rd
7 PM | Cadillac Willy Duo
Monday, July 4th
7 PM | The Manly Hero
7 PM | Silent Disco at the Compass Rose
9 PM | Fireworks and Fire Spinning by Autumn Lyfe
Smoke on the Coast BBQ & Fireworks Festival
When: July 3rd
Where: Destin Commons
Description: The Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ & Fireworks Festival takes place Sunday, July 3 at Destin Commons. Starting at 5 PM, enjoy family fun activities, live music, BBQ sampling, face painting, photo booth, and the highly anticipated Independence Day firework extravaganza.
Free Admission | $1 BBQ Samples
Smoke on the Coast Schedule:
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | LIVE MUSIC: Duchess Band
5:30 - 8 PM | BBQ Competition
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | LIVE MUSIC: Tobacco Rd Band
9:30 PM | Fireworks
Non-profit organizations and local charities are at the heart of this event. Each non-profit organization teams up with a local restaurant or group to compete for over $80,000 in cash prizes and the title of “Best BBQ.” As event-goers enjoy all of the delicious eats the evening offers, they will also be able to learn more about the non-profit organizations and their individual missions. View participating barbecue teams and their partnering charities at: DestinCommons.com.
Panama City Beach: Real. Fun. Fourth.
When: July 3-4th
Where: Pier Park
Description: Visit Panama City Beach invites you to enjoy their Real. Fun. Fourth. celebration – a red, white and blue extravaganza with two nights of breathtaking firework displays on July 3rd and July 4th.
Light Up the Gulf: July 3 at 8 p.m.
Freedom Rocks: Grand Lagoon Panama City Beach will “Light Up the Gulf” on July 3rd at 8 p.m. for the beach’s largest, private fireworks. The magic happens after dark behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort condominium, with the 13th Annual Beach Bash including free live entertainment, contests and kid’s activities.
For more information, visit visitpanamacitybeach.com/.
Star Spangled Spectacular: July 4 at 9 p.m.
The City of Panama City Beach will host the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast on July 4th at 9 p.m. The show will feature dueling fireworks from the City (Russell-Fields) and County (M.B. Miller) Piers. Guests are invited to set up their beach chairs and encouraged to arrive early to get the best views.
When: July 3rd
Where: Hotel Effie
Description: Join Hotel Effie for their first night swim party at Ara Rooftop Pool and Lounge! Enjoy a DJ spinning live, hand-crafted cocktails, delicious food and so much more. Wear your favorite summer outfit and enjoy VIP cabanas and bottle service. Or come dressed in your swimsuit and take a dip under the stars in our heated rooftop pool.
This event is free and open to the public. Reserve a VIP luxury cabana or poolside table.
Defining coastal luxury like never before, Hotel Effie is located in the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. Follow on Facebook for updates.
Grayton Beach 4th of July Parade
When: July 4th
Where: The Red Bar
Description: Come join in the fun for the annual July 4th parade in the wonderful and funky town of Grayton Beach. Line up on Holtz Ave next to The Red Bar starts at 8:00AM with the parade starting at 8:30AM. Decorate your cars, jeeps, boats, bikes, scooters, etc. No registration needed and everyone is welcome! After the parade meet up at Grayton Coast Properties/ 30A Dive Shop/ Grayton Beach Surf Club for watermelon and lemonade.
See you in line at The Red Bar location. Swimsuits, pajamas and bloody marys optional. The Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association asks that you leave your water shooters at home and not engage in the usual battles from the back of the truck onto "innocent" bystanders along the parade route.
Freeport 4th of July Parade & Fireworks Event
When: July 4th
Where: Freeport Regional Sports Complex
Description: Celebrate Independence Day at the Freeport 4th of July Parade & Fireworks Event! Bring the whole family out a 4PM for the City Parade highlighting all that makes Freeport so special. The parade route begins at Freeport Middle School and ends at the Regional Sports Complex. After the parade, kickback in the park while you and your crew enjoy live music as you await the grand fireworks display that will light up the sky at dark.
Interested in joining the parade? Visit us here!
Located in the Hammock Bay community, Freeport Regional Sport Complex can easily be accessed via Great Hammock Bend or Bay Loop Road. Careful consideration was given regarding pedestrian and vehicular traffic, parks accessibility to the community, the preservation of the natural elements, and activities for all ages to enjoy.
When: July 4th
Where: Alys Beach Amphitheatre
Description: Celebrate Independence Day in Alys Beach! Bring the whole family out for live music by Ascension starting at 6PM in the Alys Beach Amphitheater followed by fireworks at 9PM. Grab a spot on the green with your blanket or low-back chairs. Food and beverage available. Free and open to the pubic.
Alys Beach Amphitheatre is located on Scenic 30A just across from the Gulf of Mexico in South Walton's Alys Beach, Florida. The amphitheater is a beautiful green park where families will often gather for live music, outdoor movies, annual celebrations, children's activities and other fun events. Learn more at AlysBeach.com.
Red, White & Baytowne Fireworks Celebration
When: July 4th
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: Join Sandestin for its spectacular 4th of July Celebration. Enjoy a day of fun in the sun, then move the family over to The Village of Baytowne Wharf for an evening that lights up the sky and family activities at Red, White and Baytowne from 7 - 9:15pm.
Admission is free and open to the public.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf will have a host of kids activities, including kids' crafts, face painting, and balloon sculpting. Live music will be performed on the Events Plaza Stage from 7pm-9:15pm featuring Donovan Keith. Keep your eyes to the sky over the lagoon for the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration at 9:15 p.m.
When: July 4th
Where: Seaside Amphitheater
Description: Celebrate July 4 at Seaside's Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular. Beginning at 9 AM, enjoy the family-friendly Central Square Block Party featuring an Uncle Sam Stilt walker, balloon artists, face painters, caricaturists, a juggler, and two Second Lines. The REP Theatre will be doing a performance on the Amphitheater Stage as well. And finally, you will want to turn your eyes to the sky at 8:30 PM for the fireworks spectacular, showcasing the largest fireworks show on the Gulf Coast.
Event Schedule:
9AM - 11AM || Central Square Block Party
9AM - 12PM || Balloon Artists, Uncle Sam Stilt Walker, Face Painters, Caricaturists, Juggle
9AM || Seaside Rep Performance
9AM - 1PM & 4PM - 8PM || Second Line Patriotic Music Parades
8:30PM || Gulf of Mexico Fireworks Spectacular
The Courtyard at Pescado: Cincoro Tequila Dinner
When: July 7th
Where: The Courtyard at Pescado
Description: The Courtyard at Pescado in Rosemary Beach will be hosting a Cincoro Tequila Dinner on Thursday, July 7 at 7:30PM. Sip on Cincoro Tequila cocktails and indulge in tapas as you enjoy a beautiful summer night with Matt Bachelor from Cincoro.
Tickets are $120.00 + 7% tax and 22% gratuity. Visit rooftop30a.com or contact pescadoinfo@thelcrg.com to book your space. The Courtyard at Pescado, located underneath the widely popular Pescado • Seafood Grill and Rooftop Bar in Rosemary Beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico is open for guests 18 and older. Seating is first come, first serve. See menu, hours of operation and more at https://rooftop30a.com/the-courtyard.
When: July 9th
Where: Pensacola Beach
Description: The RED WHITE & BLUES Pensacola Beach Air Show 2022 featuring the Blue Angels will be held on Saturday, July 9. Locals and visitors from all over look forward to the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show held in the summer. The show highlights Pensacola hometown heroes — the Blue Angels — the U. S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron stationed at Forrest Sherman Field aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Blues hold several practice sessions along the beach in the days leading up to the big event on show day.
Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators. The Blue Angels are an American air show favorite and delight audiences across the country with their precision, speed and aerobatics. During their aerobatic demonstration, the Blues fly six F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, split into the Diamond Formation (Blue Angels 1 through 4) and the Lead and Opposing Solos (Blue Angels 5 and 6). Most of the show alternates between maneuvers performed by the Diamond Formation and those performed by the Solos.
The world-famous Blue Angels are based at NAS Pensacola, and can be seen practicing over the Museum at NAS Pensacola most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from March to November. Practices typically begin at 11:30 a.m.(Central Time), and last about 55 minutes. Admission to practice is FREE and open to the public.
Beach Camp Brewpub: Beach Camp Bash! and Grand Opening
When: July 10th
Where: Beach Camp Brewpub | Grayton Beach
Description: Head to Beach Camp Brewpub in Grayton Beach for the first ever Beach Camp Bash on Sunday, July 10th from 4 - 8 PM featuring food, live music with Neon Tree, and all new Beach Camp Beer Recipes. Get your tickets in advance here!
$25 Admission gets you your first Beach Camp Beer, a BBQ Plate, and a Raffle Ticket for the big prize giveaway! All attendees must purchase a ticket. Designated Driver/Non-drinking Tickets are available for $20.
Additional food and beverages will be available in the Beer Garden or inside the Brewpub, including cocktails & wine. Additional raffle tickets are available day-of event. EXCITING Prize Sponsors TBA!
Beach Camp Brewpub is a fully operational brewery, restaurant and bar serving the slowed-down, coastal lifestyle with fresh, local inspirations - for residents and visitors alike. The Brewpub is in the heart of Grayton off famed Scenic 30A.
Ovide! at Hotel Effie Sandestin: A Midsummer Soirée Benefit
When: July 15th
Where: Hotel Effie
Description: Hotel Effie has partnered with the Emerald Coast Autism Center to host A Midsummer Soirée, a special one-night event hosted by celebrity chef Hugh Acheson on July 15 at 6 - 10PM. The pre-fixe dinner will take place at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Ovide, featuring wine pairings by Presqu’ile Winemaker and Dieter Cronje, a silent auction, special guest speakers, and a magical cocktail reception hosted by renowned mixologist Kellie Thorn.
For more information visit HotelEffie.com, or purchase tickets here!
The tickets to the event are $500, with 20% of proceeds benefiting the Emerald Coast Autism Center. Each ticket includes a copy of Chef Hugh’s best-selling book and a complimentary one-night stay at Hotel Effie.
MONDAYS
Wildlife Monday @ The Village of Baytowne Wharf
The REP: Adventures in Alys @ Alys Beach Amphitheatre
Rosemary Beach Summer Concert Series @ St. Augustine Green
TUESDAYS
Panama City Beach Summer Concert Series @ Aaron Bessant Park
Boomin' Tuesday @ The Village of Baytowne Wharf
WEDNESDAYS
Movie Night @ Alys Beach Amphitheater
Concert Series @ The Village of Baytowne Wharf
The REP: Adventures in Alys @Alys Beach Amphitheater
THURSDAYS
Moonlight & Movies @ Rosemary Beach
Fly Guy Thursday @ The Village of Baytowne Wharf
All American Thursday @ HarborWalk Village
Concerts in the Village @ Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village
Theatre Thursday @ Grand Boulevard
Sounds Like Summer Series: Kids Crafts and Music @ Watersound Town Center
FRIDAYS
Seaside Central Square Cinema @ Seaside Amphitheater
SATURDAYS
Rock the Docks Concerts @ HarborWalk Village
SUNDAYS
Sunday Cinema @ The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Lyceum Lawn Cinema @ Sandestin
FARMER'S MARKETS
Every Monday @ The Big Chill on 30A
Every Saturday @ Seaside, Grand Boulevard & Watersound
Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach
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