The holidays are right around the corner, and what better way to spend quality time with your loved ones than enjoying all of the local festivities! We rounded up the events you don’t want to miss throughout our region this season. 

Grand Boulevard Christmas Holiday Lights Kick Off

November 18th, 4:30 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

The Grand Boulevard Town Center will be awash in tens of thousands of beautiful white lights, and Coastal White Christmas officially begins with a parade and Santa’s arrival. Enjoy complimentary photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more during the Holiday Lights Kick-Off!

Grand Boulevard Festival of the Trees

November 22nd, 4 to 6 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

Twelve local non-profit organizations will decorate a Christmas tree and compete to win cash prizes for Best of Show and People’s Choice categories in Grand Park at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. Don’t miss the chance to see these beautiful trees on display and vote for your favorite!

Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee

December 2nd, 7 to 9 a.m. | First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach

Join the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce for their First Friday Coffee sponsored by the Eglin Federal Credit Union! This is the perfect event for networking with other local professionals, hearing from different local businesses, and learning about upcoming events in our area.

Grand Boulevard Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Carolers, & Photos with Santa

December 2nd - 17th on Fridays & Saturdays from 5 to 8 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

December 19th - 23rd All Week from 5 to 8 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

Enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides around the Town Center while taking in the Coastal White Christmas lights and the Festival of the Trees display. To add to the festivities, get a professional photo with Santa while listening to the seasonal sounds of the Emerald Coast Theatre Company's Dickensian Carolers singing popular holiday carols.

Cookie Decorating Class with Sundy

December 3rd, 12 to 2 p.m. | Estelle Studio & Gallery, Freeport

Join Sundy Keichel of Keichel Cookies to decorate Christmas cookies for the holidays! Class includes all decorating supplies, step-by-step instructions, six cookies, and a box to transport home.

Holiday Pops featuring The Doo Wop Project

December 9th, 7:30 p.m. | Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center

The Doo Wop Project boys will get you into the holiday spirit! Hear old-school holiday classics like The Drifters’ White Christmas, The Temptations’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, along with “Doowopified'' contemporary hits like This Christmas and Last Christmas. It’s sure to be a jolly good time!

Building Industry Association’s Parade of Homes
December 9th - 11th, 12 to 6 p.m.

It’s no secret – the annual Parade of Homes is the single largest and most important showcase of new homes during the year. Spectacular homes will be rolling out the red carpet for you and showcasing the finest in residential construction, designs, products, and craftsmanship to be had in both Okaloosa and Walton Counties!