We're excited for the month of May! It brings warm, beautiful weather – and that makes it a great time for outdoor events! Our area continues to take precautions to keep all protected and socially distanced, while still enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Some of our favorite annual events take place in the month of May! Many events benefit local charities, and there's no better way to spend your time than for a good cause. If you're in town this month or lucky enough to be local – here are some happenings to check out along the Emerald Coast.
FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:
Tequila & Taco Fest
Paddle For Peace
When: April 28th - May 2nd
Where: Frank Brown Park, Panama City Beach
Description: Gather your biker buds and head to Panama City Beach for the Spring Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally taking place April 28 - May 2, 2021. This annual event brings people from across the country together to share their enthusiasm for motorcycles, ride the beach and score some cool biker swag from the hundreds of vendors around the beach. Thunder Beach is free to attend and offers a wide variety of entertainment at venues up and down the beach. Visit thunderbeachproductions.com to view the full schedule of events.
Tequila & Taco Fest
When: Friday, April 30th - Sunday, May 2nd
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Description: Hosted at The Village of Baytowne Wharf located in beautiful Miramar Beach, the Tequila & Taco Fest is set for Friday, April 30th - Sunday, May 2nd. Local restaurants and food trucks will be competing for the Best Taco on The Emerald Coast with a first-place prize of $2,500, and you will have a say in the People's Choice Award. Sample many types of Tequilas and Margaritas from Blancos, Resposados, Anjieos, and even Mezcals while indulging in some of the area's best tacos. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Fisher House of The Emerald Coast, Sandestin Foundation for Kids, and Boys & Girls Club.
Friday , April 30th: Pre Party | 6pm-9pm
Saturday, May 1st: Main Event | 1pm-5pm
Sunday, May 2nd: Bye Bye Brunch | 11am-2pm
Paddle For Peace
When: Saturday, May 1st
Where: Grayton Beach Dune Access
Description: Local charity Gulf Therapy, Tribe Kelly Surf Post, and Adventure 30A have teamed up to host the inaugural Paddle For Peace. Paddle For Peace welcomes all community members with a focus on love and peace. Follow Paddle For Peace on Facebook for event updates. Pre-registration is encouraged as boards sell out fast. Register at: www.gulftherapy.org/paddleforpeace
When: Thursday, May 6th - Saturday, May 8th
Where: Destin Commons & The Island
Description: Burning Up The Beaches is a fun-filled weekend with gearheads from all over the United States. Participating attendees will enjoy three days of events and showing off their cars on the sugar-white beaches of Destin and Fort Walton Beach. The Main Street Parade and the Burning Up The Beaches car show are open to the public to attend. All funds raised during Burning Up The Beaches weekend will support The Arc of the Emerald Coast’s mission to provide a path from disability to capability. Burning Up The Beaches kicks off Thursday, May 6, at 3:00 p.m. at The Island by Hotel RL in Fort Walton Beach. New to Burning Up The Beaches this year, the group will drive in the Main Street Parade in downtown Fort Walton Beach to show off their vintage cars on Friday, May 7. The celebration will continue with various events hosted at The Island including a DJ at the pool, a beach bonfire, and live music. Saturday, May 8, is the big show day! The Burning Up The Beaches car show will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Destin Commons. Participants will enjoy a day of cars, music, and more around Destin Commons. For more info visit: http://burningupthebeaches.com/
When: Friday, May 7th - Sunday, May 9th
Where: Grande Boulevard
Description: The South Walton Street Art Festival (SWSAF), will join this year’s Art Month South Walton schedule of May events. Artists, families, friends, and school groups are invited to participate in this three-day festival that will take place in Grand Boulevard’s Town Center throughout Mother’s Day weekend, May 7th - 9th. The socially distanced festival will also feature live music by regional singer-songwriters and musicians, lawn games, a full cash bar, and all the retail and restaurant offerings for which Grand Boulevard is already known. The entire event will be free and open to the public.
Friday, May 7: 3PM - 8PM
Saturday, May 8: 10AM - 6PM
Sunday, May 9: 10AM - 6PM
For more information visit: www.culturalartsalliance.com/event-details/south-walton-street-art-festival-3
When: Saturday, May 8th
Where: Harborwalk Village
Description: Join HarborWalk Village for Toast to the Coast: A Cocktail and Culinary Celebration on Saturday, May 8 featuring local cuisine, signature beverages, live entertainment, and the ambiance of HarborWalk Village. From 2 - 6PM, area restaurants will showcase masterfully matched samplings—a delectable light bite with a complimentary cocktail. Enjoy a true culinary experience of perfectly paired, balanced, and contrasting flavors as you sip and savor your way along the Destin Harbor. Purchase tickets prior to the event for savings!
When: Wednesday, May 12th - Saturday, May 15th
Where: Alys Beach
Description: The Alys Foundation and Alys Beach are excited to announce the 2021 Digital Graffiti Festival: A Drive-Thru Experience. With the latest in digital design, animation and projection technologies, Digital Graffiti continues to bring together the disciplines of art and architecture in the dynamic display, adjusted to embrace this new perspective without compromising on the spectacle, the excitement, and the interaction. As Alys Beach continues the necessary efforts in prioritizing social safety, Digital Graffiti is recalibrating to offer the same incredible, one-of-a-kind visual and immersive event from the safe vantage point of your personal vehicles. Visit digitalgraffiti.com for more details and to purchase tickets. Tickets for standard vehicles will be $80. Vehicles with 8 or more passengers will be $150. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Lionfish Removal & Awareness Festival
When: Wednesday, May 12th - Saturday, May 15th
Where: Frank Brown Park - Panama City Beach
Description: Thousands of Jeep owners, enthusiasts, and club members will gather in Panama City Beach, Florida May 12-15, 2021 for Florida Jeep Jam! This 4-day family-oriented event, filled with fun in the sun activities that will prove to be one of the highest sought over Jeep festivals in the complete southeastern United States.
FBJ Official Event Schedule: floridajeepjam.com Put your Jeep to the challenge on our Obstacle Course, explore the natural habitats of North Florida during an Off-Road Excursion, check out the latest Jeep accessories – Jeep parts and Jeep gear from top vendors, cruise the sandy beaches during our Topless for Turtles Jeep Beach Krawl.
Lionfish Removal & Awareness Festival
When: Saturday, May 15th-16th
Where: AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar @ Destin Harbor
Description: You're invited to the annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival on May 15-16, 2021 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.
The 2021 Lionfish Challenge removal incentive program will begin May 21 and continue through Labor Day, Sept. 6. More details on how to get rewarded for your harvest coming soon to FWCReefRangers.com.
Learn more about invasive lionfish and other ways to get involved in statewide control efforts at MyFWC.com/Lionfish.
Baytowne Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
Baytowne Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
When: Saturday, May 29th - Monday, May 31st
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Description: The Village of Baytowne Wharf is gearing up for Memorial Day Weekend festivities with three nights of family-friendly events! Necessary precautions will be taken to ensure social distancing and everyone is staying safe. Admission is free and open to the public.
Saturday, May 29: Concert 7-9pm Forrest Williams Band will take the stage from 7 p.m. until 9pm. Guests are invited to dance the night away as they listen to South Walton's own Forrest Williams Band, an award-winning favorite on stage among locals and visitors to the area. Forrest and Pherrel Williams perform a variety of music from southern rock to country and blues.
Sunday, May 30: Live music, kids activities, fireworks 6-9pm Baytowne Wharf will host free children activities, including face painting, balloon animals, and lawn games from 6-9 p.m. Live Music -TBD. After the show, Baytowne Wharf will light up the sky above the lagoon with a patriotic fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day Program Details to come.
Lawn Games in Grand Park
Every Thursday & Friday @ Grand Boulevard
MKAF Concerts in the Village
Every Thursday @ Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village
Farmer's Markets
Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach
Planning to be in town?
Let's Chat!
