Thanksgiving Weekend Events In South Walton and Destin

There is so much to be thankful for this year. Here at Newman –Dailey, we’re thankful for our pristine environment and white sandy beaches. We’re grateful for our extended family of guests and owners who entrust their beach vacations and beautiful beach homes to us. And we’re thankful for the incredible community that comes together to support families in need as well as organize wonderful events that unite our community. Once you survive Black Friday, here’s a round-up of Thanksgiving weekend events taking place on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017 in South Walton and Destin, Florida:  

Santa Arrives at HarborWalk Village – At noon Santa will arrive at HarborWalk Village. Stop by for a photo and tell Santa your Christmas wishes. Free kids activities as well as special promotions at area merchants and restaurants from noon until 4 p.m. 

Baytowne on Ice – Sure you’re at the beach but the Village of Baytowne Wharf at  Sandestin wants to provide your family a winter wonderland with ice skating at the beach! The Community Broadcasters Ice Skating Pavilion is a 40 ft by 60 ft ice rink enclosed in a tent at the event plaza of the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.  For hours of operation, visit BaytowneWharf.com.  

World of Beers at Destin Commons – What's the best way to start a holiday weekend? Bottomless drinks of course. For $23, you’ll enjoy BEERunch featuring a delicious meal, plus bottomless Mimosas, Beermosas, and Bloody Mary's from 11 am to 2pm. Brunch food items, include Pancakes, Chicken & Waffles, or Belgian Beer Waffles. Return in the evening for Karaoke Night at 8pm.  Select from more than 100K songs and impress your friends with your amazing talent.  

Wine, Spirits & Beer Holiday Tasting – If you’re interested in wine, spirits AND beer, consider the Wine World Holiday Tasting. From 2 pm till 5 pm, Wine World-Destin will feature a vast selection of wines, craft beers, and spirits to sample for the holidays. You’ll also be invited to sample gourmet appetizers from The Craft Bar and an array of artisan cheese from the Cheese Shop at Wine World. College football will air on eight televisions and Melissa Joiner will perform live outside under the tent. 

Christmas Arrives at Grand Boulevard - From 2 – 3 p.m., Santa will visit Grand Boulevard and take a seat near the Festival of Trees for free photos. Abrakadoodle will also offer free holiday arts and crafts for kids of all ages. Stay for the White Christmas display from 5-8 pm. The Town Center will light up with thousands of beautiful white lights. Guests may enjoy complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides while faux snow falls on the Festival of Trees display in Grand Park between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. To add to the festivities, Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s Dickensian Carolers will be singing popular holiday carols between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

South Walton Holiday Parade on 30A – Stake out a spot along Highway 30A between Seagrove Beach and Seaside and enjoy a local tradition. Beginning at 4 p.m. in front of Seagrove Plaza, the holiday parade features residents and visitors who decorate their golf carts, trucks, trailers and boats in holiday lights and parade 1.5 miles down Scenic Highway 30A from Seagrove to Seaside decked in their Christmas best. The parade ends in Seaside as they welcome Santa to town.

Turn on the Town Celebration in Seaside  – The Merchants of Seaside welcome parade participants and spectators with events for the entire family. Combine the small-town atmosphere and community parade, throw in a dash of Santa Claus, add a festive farmers market and Christmas tree lighting, and you’re kicking off the holiday season Seaside-Style.  The Turn on the Town Celebration begins at 5 p.m. as Santa Claus asks all the kids to join him in front of the stage to sing along to a few verses of jingle bells. Then, the countdown begins to turn on the town with the tree lighting and meeting Santa.

Holiday Winter Market at WaterColor – From 5-9 pm, the WaterColor Community Association will host their 10th annual Old Florida Holiday and Winter Market in WaterColor’s Town Center and Cerulean Park. The holiday extravaganza will be complete with snow, carriage rides, bonfires, pictures with Santa, lighting of the tree, music, beautiful lighting around Town Center and a winter market full of gifts, sights, smells and tastes of the season.

Grand Opening of Shunk Gulley on 30A – Take a break from the holiday festivities to celebeate the opening of South Walton’s newest restaurant, Shunk Gulley. Named after a famed local reef known for its great fishing, Shunk Gulley is poised to be 30A’s newest hot spot for fresh local seafood and live music. The grand opening begins at 11 a.m. and includes live music, football games on big screens outside, chargrilled oysters, and much more. Grand opening festivities will be held from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Shunk Gulley is located at the corner of Highway 30A and CR 393 across from Gulf Place. Learn more at ShunkGulley30a.com

Not in Destin for Thanksgiving weekend? Make plans for your next beach vacation by viewing our premier Destin and South Walton vacation rentals online, including condos, villas and cottages at Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort, or call us at 1-800-225-7652 to have one of our friendly vacation specialists assist with planning your next beach getaway. Remember to always book direct for the best price guaranteed. 

See you @ the beach!