With summer almost here, there's so much to do! May is full of fun events and good causes. From music, to movies, to charity events, to Memorial Day Weekend happenings – there's a lot to be a part of. We've listed a few of our favorite happenings below. Plan a weekend to visit, or if you're lucky enough to be local, enjoy it all!
FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:
4th Annual Jeep Beach Jam
When: May 14-18th
4th Annual Jeep Beach Jam
When: May 14-18th
Where: Panama City Beach
Description: Jeep Beach Jam is already known as the “Fastest Growing Jeep Event in the Southeast” and this year will be our largest ever. We are currently estimating more than 2,000 Jeeps coming from over 17 States, all ready for the 4th Annual Jeep Beach Jam. Experience a Jeep owners Dream Vacation to the “World’s Most Beautiful Beaches”. Gather up your family and Jeep club and start making plans for heading straight to Panama City Beach Florida for a fun extended weekend with Jeep lovers from all over. For more info click here!
When: May 17-18th
Where: Alys Beach
Description: Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is a one-of-a-kind projection art festival where artists use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach.
Opening night, Friday, May 17, is our family-friendly night featuring our 2019 projection art installations. Local food trucks and vendors are located throughout the festival footprint, while the street party winds through Alys Beach from Highway 30A all the way to Caliza restaurant. There, attendees will be greeted with à la carte food and drink options and fun for the whole family. This event is open to all ages.
Saturday evening, May 18, is an all-inclusive food and drink experience, with stops along the festival’s path featuring samples by local and regional chefs, winemakers, distillers, and breweries. The evening culminates with desserts, spirits, and casual discussions of art around the pool at Caliza restaurant, which will showcase additional artwork. This event is 21+. Visit www.digitalgraffiti.com for more info.
Opening night, Friday, May 17, is our family-friendly night featuring our 2019 projection art installations. Local food trucks and vendors are located throughout the festival footprint, while the street party winds through Alys Beach from Highway 30A all the way to Caliza restaurant. There, attendees will be greeted with à la carte food and drink options and fun for the whole family. This event is open to all ages.
Saturday evening, May 18, is an all-inclusive food and drink experience, with stops along the festival’s path featuring samples by local and regional chefs, winemakers, distillers, and breweries. The evening culminates with desserts, spirits, and casual discussions of art around the pool at Caliza restaurant, which will showcase additional artwork. This event is 21+. Visit www.digitalgraffiti.com for more info.
The Emerald Ball
When: Saturday May 18th | 6:00-10:00pm
Where: Hilton | Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Description: The Sacred Heart Foundation is rolling out the green carpet for the inaugural Emerald Ball on Saturday, May 18 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The black-tie gala will benefit the expansion of the Comprehensive Spine Program at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. The Champagne Reception will begin at 6 p.m. and doors will open for general admission at 6:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear shades of emerald for an elegant evening of dinner and dancing. Entertainment will include live music by Bay Bridge Band, live painting by South Walton Artist of the Year, Jenna Varney, and a wine and bourbon pull. Tickets are available online!
When: May 18-19th
Where: AJ's | Destin Harbor
Description: You're invited to the 5th annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival on May 18-19, 2019 at AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village overlooking Destin harbor. The event is FREE and open to the public and will feature family-friendly activities, art, diving, and marine conservation booths, live music, fillet demonstrations, lionfish tastings, and the world's largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. For more info visit: www.emeraldcoastopen.com/
When: May 23rd-24th
Where: Rosemary Beach Town Hall
Description: This year’s exhibition includes 16 sculptures from artists across 12 states. An Artist Panel Discussion will be held on Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall; and, the Opening Event will take place on Friday, May 24th at 4:00 p.m. in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall Courtyard. A beer and wine bar will be available at both events. Materials for the contemporary sculptures are as varied as their subject matter. Some address issues such as the environment and freedom, while others explore nature or formal elements like color, perspective, and balance, with one towering to 16 feet high. In addition to the juried show, a science-based sculpture created by students from Ohana School will also be on display. Made of debris from our Gulf waters, beach, and surrounding areas, the sculpture will raise awareness of the ever-growing problem of single-use plastics and its threat to oceans, marine life and humans alike. For more info visit: www.rosemarybeachsculpture.com/newevents
When: May 25th | 12:00-7:30pm
Where: LuLu's
Description: Boat, float, or paddle up to LuLu's Destin to kick off the summer on Saturday, May 25th! Free concerts from 12-7:30pm on the Bay Bar. Enjoy a fun day on LuLu's beach, eat some great food and maybe get a hair wrap or henna tattoo! Paddle board & kayak rentals will be available and Fly the Beach Sea Plane lessons will be set up on the bay at LuLu's! Check out some of LuLu's favorite bands – Justin Jeansonne & the Dixie Gentlemen, Ben Loftin & The Family, Boukou Groove, and True Blue Band. For more info visit: www.lulubuffett.com/destin/bay-bash-may-25/
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS:
When: May 25-27th
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf | Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Description: The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin kicks off their Memorial Day festivities with three nights of family-friendly, free events! Enjoy a relaxing and patriotic weekend at the boutiques, eateries, and nightlife of The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Fireworks, children's activities, live music, and a ceremony will be hallmarks of this annual event. Click here for more info!
When: May 25-26th
Where: HarborWalk VillageDescription: Celebrate Memorial Day weekend on Destin Harbor with live music and fireworks show over the harbor. It's time for flip flops, suntans, and summer! Kick-off summer with live music on the Destin Harbor all weekend long. Fireworks over the Destin Harbor will close the festivities on Sunday night at 9pm. Click here for more info!
When: May 26th | 9:00pm
Where: The Boardwalk | Okaloosa Island
Description: Kick-off summer with a special Memorial Day Weekend Fireworks show on Sunday at 9pm! Grab a beach chair or a seat at The Boardwalk for a stellar view of the show. Be sure to join each Wednesday at 9pm for the Okaloosa Island Fireworks series May 29th through August 14th! Click here for more info!
When: May 27th | 10:00am
Where: Gulf Cemetary
Description: Gulf Cemetery will host the annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27th at 10AM in Santa Rosa Beach. The 125 veterans interred in the cemetery will be honored in a service that will include a keynote speech by Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and F-15 Fighter Pilot, Scott Warner. Also, Cloud 9 Orchestra, a local big band, will play music during the ceremony. There will be a military aircraft flyover during the national anthem and the Walton County Sheriff’s Honor Guard will provide a ceremonial volley salute to the fallen. The ceremony will conclude with a "missing man" flyover formation performed with WWII aircraft by the Destin Warbirds. Click here for more info!
WEEKLY EVENTS:
Farmer's Markets
Every Saturday @ Seaside & Grand BoulevardEvery Sunday @ Rosemary Beach
When: Every Friday @ 7:30pm
Where: Seaside Amphitheater
Description: Grab a blanket and come out to the Seaside Amphitheater on Friday night for a family movie on the lawn. Free and open to the public. Check the movie schedule here! When: Every Sunday | 7:00pm
Where: The Hub | 30A
Description: Grab a blanket and come out to The Hub on Sunday night for a family movie. Free and open to the public. Check the movie schedule here!
If you're looking for some indoor activities to do check out our additional blog post: 10 Things to Do Indoors In Destin.
Planning to be in town?
Let's Chat!