From local networking events to celebrations and festivals, we’ve gathered up the most-anticipated events happening in the next few months so you can easily add them to your calendar!
October
Movies on the Beach: Pocahontas
October 5th, 7:30 p.m. | Al’s Beach Club on the Boardwalk
Head down to Al’s Beach Club and join them in front of their giant inflatable movie screen right on the beach! Gather the whole gang, grab one of their delicious milkshakes, and make magical memories with your loved ones under the star-lit sky. This night’s movie feature is Pocahontas!
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee
October 6th, 7 a.m. | Christian Life Center at First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach
Make new connections and build on existing relationships at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee sponsored by White-Wilson Medical Center. It’s the most highly attended networking event in the area!
Dog Daze presented by Friendship Veterinary Hospital
October 7th, 9 a.m. | The Landing, Fort Walton Beach
Are you ready for the most anticipated one-day dog event of the year? Presented by Friendship Veterinary Hospital, Dog Daze will feature rescue organizations, dog trainers, veterinary clinics, and more! Come out and celebrate all things dog with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.
October 8th, 11 a.m. | Seville Quarter, Pensacola
Join the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast for an afternoon full of all your favorite delicious brunch bites at the 3rd Annual BrunchFest on October 8th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Seville Quarter in Downtown Pensacola. Don’t forget to bring your friends (and your appetites)!
Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting & Sport's GSSF
October 9th, 10 a.m. | Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting & Sport, Niceville
Join the Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting and Sport for their GSSF indoor league! This is open to all levels of shooters, and competitors who attend 2 of the 3 match dates in 2023 are entered in a drawing for a FREE Glock Pistol.
Best of the Emerald Coast Winner’s Soirée
October 12th, 6 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Miramar Beach
All are invited to celebrate the 25th Annual Best of the Emerald Coast Winners results voted by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine! This intimate soirée will be one for the books - all in celebration of 25 years of the BEST. Guests will enjoy an evening where all their senses will be stimulated through music, visual mural artists, delightful cuisine, and libations!
Movies on the Beach: Wonder Park
October 12th, 7:30 p.m. | Al’s Beach Club on the Boardwalk
Head down to Al’s Beach Club and join them in front of their giant inflatable movie screen right on the beach! Gather the whole gang, grab one of their delicious milkshakes, and make magical memories with your loved ones under the star-lit sky. This night’s movie feature is Wonder Park!
Salt Water Music Fest benefiting Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
October 12th through 14th | Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Destin
Experience captivating vocals from a variety of talented musicians at the inaugural Salt Water Music Fest! This festival features a must-not-miss lineup along with local food trucks, beverage stations, and cash bars all at the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation in Destin.
Women’s Climbing Circle at Rock Out Climbing Gym
October 14th, 9 a.m. | Rock Out Climbing Gym, Destin
Join other women for a monthly climbing session designed to foster the female climbing community at Rock Out Climbing Gym. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new climbing partners, focus on your climbing goals, and enjoy a safe community space of like-minded women!
October 14th, 10 a.m. | Seascape Resort, Miramar Beach
Enjoy delicious bites at the 9th Annual Eggs on the Beach presented by Bay Breeze Patio! The 2023 Eggs on the Beach EggFest will feature 20+ cook teams, live music, chances to win cash prizes, and more. We’re thrilled to be a sponsor of this year’s event!
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours
October 19th, 5:30 p.m. | Ashley Homestore, Fort Walton Beach
Mingle with local professionals and enjoy delicious bites at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours at Ashley Homestore!
7th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival
October 19th through 22nd | Various Locations, WaterColor
Don’t miss one of the premier wine and food festivals in the Southeast! Harvest Wine & Food Festival returns to WaterColor for four days of epicurean excellence this October. This year’s festival features wine dinners, the famous Grand Tasting, a newly reimagined Harvest After Dark, and more while raising money for a good cause!
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce's Honoring Our Heroes: 9/11 America's Response
October 21st, 5:30 p.m. | Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, Fort Walton Beach
Revel in a stirring tribute that celebrates the unwavering bravery and dedication of the US Military’s Task Force Dagger for “Honoring Our Heroes: 9/11 America’s Response”, a special event hosted by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce that spotlights their heroic actions in the wake of 9/11’s tragic events.
Unplugged presented by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
October 25th, 6 p.m. | Henderson Beach Resort, Destin
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation presents Unplugged, a listening lounge-style concert series showcasing singer-songwriters, individual musicians, duos, and small bands performing intimate acoustic sets. Unplugged will showcase American country music singer-songwriter Erin Enderlin at the Sunset Terrace at Henderson Beach Resort!
Barktoberfest benefiting Dog-Harmony
October 26th, 4:30 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Miramar Beach
Join Dog-Harmony at the 8th Annual Barktoberfest, a canine-only trick-or-treating event! Complete with Oktoberfest libations, bites from JC’s Gourmet, music, and incredible raffle prizes, this event will feature a superhero-themed canine Halloween costume contest.
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation's Arty Kick Off Party
October 27th, 6 p.m. | Henderson Beach Resort, Destin
This year’s 28th Annual Festival of the Arts, a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and community, kicks off with the Arty Kick Off Party on the Piazza Plaza at Henderson Beach Resort. Mix and mingle with Festival artists, watch award-winning featured guest artist Kathy Schumacher paint live, enjoy live music, and more at this party!
Friends of the Coastal Branch Library Annual Book Sale
October 28th, 9 a.m. | Coastal Branch Library, Santa Rosa Beach
The Friends of the Coastal Branch Library are excited for the return of their annual book sale, a community tradition spanning more than 20 years. This year’s sale will feature the largest selection of books to date, including vintage books and records. Most items will be priced at $1 or less, giving book lovers an incredible opportunity to expand their personal collections!
28th Annual Festival of the Arts
October 28th through 29th | Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Destin
Join Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation for a laid-back weekend of art, food, and family enjoyment at the 28th Annual Festival of the Arts! Stroll through outdoor art displays, watch artists in action, listen to live music, savor food truck treats, and unwind in our beer and wine garden.
October 31st, 4 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Miramar Beach
Stroll through Grand Boulevard at Sandestin for Trick-or-Treating fun on Halloween night. It’s going to be a frightfully fun time for the whole family! This event is free to the public, and all are welcome.
October 31st, 5 p.m. | The Boardwalk, Fort Walton Beach
An evening of Halloween fun for all ages awaits you at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island! Join them for a fun and safe night of trick-or-treating, live entertainment, carnival games, costume contests, and more!
November
Unplugged presented by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
November 1st, 6 p.m. | Henderson Beach Resort, Destin
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation presents Unplugged, a listening lounge-style concert series showcasing singer-songwriters, individual musicians, duos, and small bands performing intimate acoustic sets. Unplugged will showcase country/roots rock duo Capps & Hughes at the Sunset Terrace at Henderson Beach Resort!
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee
November 3rd, 7 a.m. | Christian Life Center at First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach
Make new connections and build on existing relationships at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee sponsored by Air Force Enlisted Village. It’s the most highly attended networking event in the area!
November 3rd, 5:30 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Miramar Beach
Mark your calendars for the 30A BBQ Festival at Grand Boulevard’s North Lawn. Indulge in the coast's finest BBQ while enjoying live music by Certainly So from Nashville. It's an all-you-can-eat BBQ and beer/wine extravaganza, so bring your appetite! Proceeds benefit The Sonder Project’s mission to uplift impoverished communities through sustainable development.
Sinfonia Gala Event feat. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
November 4th, 6 p.m. | Hotel Effie, Miramar Beach
Experience the electrifying energy of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue live in concert at Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Gala Event at Hotel Effie! From the moment they take the stage, you’ll be captivated by their infectious charisma and magnetic performance. Gala includes valet, reception, dinner, and live performance!
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation's 11th Annual Wine Walkabout
November 9th, 5:30 p.m. | Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Destin
Join Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation for the 11th Annual Wine Walkabout at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Destin. Visit with vintners from exclusive wineries and enjoy tasting stations, live music, a wall of wine pull, and much more! Proceeds benefit MKAF and its ArtsReach education initiatives throughout the community.
Women’s Climbing Circle at Rock Out Climbing Gym
November 11th, 9 a.m. | Rock Out Climbing Gym, Destin
Join other women for a monthly climbing session designed to foster the female climbing community at Rock Out Climbing Gym. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new climbing partners, focus on your climbing goals, and enjoy a safe community space of like-minded women!
Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting & Sport's GSSF
November 13th, 10 a.m. | Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting & Sport, Niceville
Join the Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting and Sport for their GSSF indoor league! This is open to all levels of shooters, and competitors who attend 2 of the 3 match dates in 2023 are entered in a drawing for a FREE Glock Pistol.
Thanksending at Rock Out Climbing Gym
November 18th | Rock Out Climbing Gym, Destin
Are you ready for Rock Out Climbing Gym’s biggest event of the year? Thanksending will be an all-around good time with raffles, competitions, and prizes! Join them for different youth and climbing competitions - and don’t forget to stay for the raffle prize and winner announcements! Registration goes live on November 1st.
Deana Carter Country Christmas benefiting Alaqua Animal Refuge
November 25th, 3 p.m. | St. Augustine Green, Rosemary Beach
The Merchants of Rosemary Beach are excited to partner with the Rosemary Beach Foundation and Alaqua Animal Refuge for a special outdoor holiday concert from “Strawberry Wine” singer, Deana Carter. Benefiting Alaqua Animal Refuge, this is an all-ages, all-species show, so you can even bring your furry best friends!
December
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee
December 1st, 7 a.m. | Christian Life Center at First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach
Make new connections and build on existing relationships at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union. It’s the most highly attended networking event in the area!
Toast 'n Jam feat: Time for Three (Tf3)
December 3rd, 10:30 a.m. | Henderson Beach Resort, Destin
Prepare to be blown away by the electrifying sound of Grammy Award-winning Time for Three (Tf3), the genre-defying classically trained string trio at Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Toast ‘n Jam. With their impeccable skills and boundary-pushing musical taste, Nick Kendall, Charles Yang, and Ranaan Meyer seamlessly blend classical, bluegrass, rock, jazz, and hip-hop into an unforgettable musical experience.
Holiday Pops feat. Brian Stokes Mitchell
December 8th, 7:30 p.m. | Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach
Dubbed “the last leading man” by The New York Times, Brian Stokes Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award winner with a versatile career spanning Broadway, television, film, and concerts. Get into the spirit as this A-list star performs holiday classics, Broadway tunes, and classic favorites with the Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra at Holiday Pops!
Women’s Climbing Circle at Rock Out Climbing Gym
December 9th, 9 a.m. | Rock Out Climbing Gym, Destin
Join other women for a monthly climbing session designed to foster the female climbing community at Rock Out Climbing Gym. This is the perfect opportunity to meet new climbing partners, focus on your climbing goals, and enjoy a safe community space of like-minded women!
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We are proud to partner with Bay Life to keep their event calendar updated. If you have an event you'd like us to add, let us know in the comments below!