Visits with Santa, Holiday Lights, Parades and Much More!
By Lori Leath Smith
For many years, our piece of Paradise has ignited the holiday spirit in each of us and allowed the season to come to life for the young and young at heart. With a unique blend of theatrical storytelling, musical notes and beautiful and whimsical Christmas lights, we are welcomed into a world of Yuletide nostalgia and local flavor and personalities where reindeer fly, sugarplums dance in our heads and Christmas comes alive in our own area – coastal style. I invite you to explore the vast, unique holiday traditions, some many years in the making and new ones to delight our senses, and usher in the “reason for the season” – the celebrated birth of Jesus, our Savior. Join Destin Life in some of these holiday celebrations where you can create some new family traditions of your own while rekindling your favorites.
You can visit St. Nick at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at his sleigh Wednesday, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 6-8 p.m. Tap your feet to some of your favorite sing-along classics each Wednesday during the holiday edition of the Wednesday Night Concert Series. Dec. 7 – Gateway Academy and Fort Walton Beach High School Choir; Dec. 14 – Niceville High School; Dec. 21 – Matt McCarty Band. Plus, visit with Santa 5-7 p.m. Dec. 4 during Tuba Christmas! Visit baytownewharf.com.
Visit Santa at HarborWalk Village weekends until Dec. 18, 1-4 p.m.
Visit Santa at Bass Pro Shop at Destin Commons through Dec. 24. There are also free games, crafts and a free 4-by-6 professional photo with Santa, as well as a free digital download. To book, visit basspro.com.
Jolly Jubilee, a festive celebration of the holiday season, happens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Destin Commons through Dec. 24. Centered around the iconic 50-foot Christmas tree, there’s magical free entertainment featuring Christmas carolers, local vocalist groups, student ensembles, theatrical groups and more!
“Keep a Little Christmas in Your Heart” with the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus as they sing through a lovely and humorous collection of Christmas songs sure to get you into the holiday spirit. From traditional tunes like “Silent Night” and “Away in a Manger” to more modern hand-clapping toe-tapping pieces like “The Big Guy in Red” and “Jingle All the Way,” there is sure to be a song everyone in the family will enjoy. Shows: Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m. All shows held at Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium. Tickets: https://fwbc-chorus.square.site/
Movie lovers will delight in this year’s Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops: “Christmas at the Movies” being presented at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville on Friday, Dec 9, 7:30 p.m. You’ll not want to miss the mix of film favorites from past to present as well as traditional holiday selections, featuring guest soloist Lakisha Jones, and the NFSO chorale and artists from our college community.
Grab all your slacker friends and come down to Deck the Halls Slacker Event at the Boathouse Oyster Bar, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2-4 p.m. for a good cause. Individuals or teams will visit partner locations and put their skills to the test competing in activities such as hopscotch, hula hooping, toilet paper toss, corn hole and more. Slackers are asked to bring toys for charity in exchange for extra drink tickets. Cost: $30 in advance/$35 at the door. For more info, http://boathouseoysterbardestin.com/events
Join Santa for a joyous breakfast Dec. 11, 17, 18 or 19 in Harborwalk Village’s Grande Ballroom, seating times, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m., featuring a festive buffet of the Grinch’s Fruit Kabob Station, Cindy Lou Who’s breakfast items, Whoville Bakery and Max’s Donut Station. Also enjoy a Create your own Christmas Chow station, letters to Santa, and visits with Santa. View Menu: https://bit.ly/3eHi56y. Kids: $18 | Adults: $25 plus Tax & Gratuity. Reservations required: (850) 424-0622.
Emerald Coast Theatre Company presents fantastic shows to get you in the holiday spirit! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical runs Dec. 8-18, Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m., and Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2:30 p.m. Christmas Cabaret at the Boulevard will sing you into the Christmas spirit, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m. Enjoy classic holiday songs and join in some carols as well. All will be held on the second floor of 560 Grand Boulevard in Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach. Purchase tickets online at emeraldcoasttheatre.org.
studio6twenty5 presents The Nutcracker Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m., at the Destin Community Center and features the studio6twenty5 Children’s Program as well as Adult/Open Division dancers. Staging, arrangement and choreography by artistic director Rachel Prescott, with original choreography by Shaye Smith; guest performances by Luminary Entertainment Company and choreography by Lydia Faith. Reservations are recommended with a suggested donation of $10/ticket with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the studio6twenty5 Children’s Program. Donations can be made at Will Call upon check-in. Reserve seats at studio6twenty5.com/events.
Join Sinfonia’s Holiday Pops, featuring The Doo Wop Project Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., at the 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! Tickets at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org.
The EO Wilson Biophilia Center will hold its Winter Extravaganza, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10. There will be a special visit from Santa, a hot chocolate bar, food trucks, games, and more. Please bring any canned food and nonperishable goods you can spare.
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida presents the Yule of Yesteryear Annual Christmas Event Sat., Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Gather together to enjoy the carols and other festivities after the Niceville Christmas Parade ends for free admission to the museum, food vendors, craft vendors, walton guard reenactors, school choir groups, bake sale, raffle ticket prizes, letters to Santa and more! 115 Westview Ave., Perrine Park, Valparaiso.
Grab your chairs and find your perfect spot in front of the Seaside Post Office for the magical holiday tradition of Every Christmas Story Ever Told. Back for its 12th year, The REP Theatre’s complimentary holiday smash hit returns with all of your favorite Beloved Holiday Classics packed into one show of high-energy jolly and hilarity! Three REP actors, armed with a bazillion props and costumes, send up everything from Charles Dickens and Dr. Seuss to Jimmy Stewart and Chewbacca in this ever-evolving REP favorite. Dec. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 at 11 a.m.; Dec. 20, 21, 22, and 23 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Suitable for all ages.
On Sunday, Dec. 11, 5 p.m., Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents the Sinfonia Youth Orchestras in concert at Destin High School. Holiday Magic is a fun and festive annual tradition that showcases the talent of our area’s finest young musicians performing holiday favorites.
This year’s concert will feature both Sinfonia Youth Orchestra and Sinfonietta Strings. Selections on the program include international folk songs such as Good King Wenceslas and Dreidel; favorite Christmas carols such as Let It Snow!, Here Comes Santa Claus and a special medley from A Charlie Brown Christmas, plus the traditional Ukrainian Bell Carol and more.
Enjoy a memorable family holiday experience at LuLu’s (at the foot of the Mid-Bay Bridge) for its seventh annual Billy Claus free event Sunday, Dec. 11, 1-3 p.m. Billy Claus is Santa’s warm weather-loving brother who lives in the Caribbean, but comes this way every year to help Santa. The LuLuBelles are Billy’s version of Santa’s elves. Billy will pass children’s wishes on to Santa and will be available for photos. In addition to kid’s arts and crafts activities, there will be a reading of the children’s book authored by Lucy Buffett, Billy Claus and the Spirit of Christmas. LulusFunFoodMusic.com/destin/ (850) 710-5858.
Don’t miss the 33rd Blessing of the Live Nativity at the corner of 2nd Street and Church Avenue, hosted by First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Thurs., Dec. 15-Wed., Dec.21, 6 – 8:30 p.m. each night. Drive through or participate in direct interaction with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and pet and feed the animals. Get your photo taken in the nativity scene and enjoy a cookie, coffee or hot chocolate! Children receive a candy cane and learn the Christian story behind its invention. To illustrate the complete salvation story from Jesus’ miraculous birth to his crucifixion and resurrection, there are Roman soldiers at the Cross and angels at the empty tomb. fbcfwb.org.
Visit the Festival of Trees at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin through Christmas Day, an annual event in the park at Grand Boulevard shopping center showcasing uniquely decorated Christmas trees from 12 local, non-profit organizations. Participating non-profit organizations compete to win cash prizes totaling $7,000 for beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Cast your vote for the People’s Choice award.
Enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides around the Town Center at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin 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, Dec. 2-17 Fridays and Saturdays, 5-8 p.m.; Dec. 19-23 all week, 5-8 p.m.
Eden Gardens State Park will be illuminated Saturday, Dec. 10, 5-8 p.m. More than 2,000 luminaries will light the garden paths of Eden Gardens at nightfall. The Historic Wesley House will be decorated for Christmas and visitors can see all the rooms decorated by local organizations from throughout the community. Music and carolers’ voices will fill the air throughout the evening and cookies and hot beverages will be provided by the Friends of Eden Gardens. The event is free and park entry fees will be waived from 5-8 p.m.
Hosted by the City of DeFuniak Springs through New Year’s Eve, Chipley Park lights up with the annual Christmas Reflection Displays, a light display like no other in our area with more than 10 million lights reflecting on the lake and throughout the park. You can view the lights by walking, driving or even taking a horse-drawn carriage ride. Friday-Saturday, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-9 p.m., nightly. $5 per person, free for children under 5, Tuesday discount for military; $10 for carload up to five people. Carriage rides are available on select nights. $10/person. (850) 978-2999.
Main Street DeFuniak Springs brings back Merry Main Street! Free to attend, Merry Main Street boasts live music and theatrical performances, an outdoor market, food trucks, rides on the Choctaw Express Train, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, kids character appearances and more family fun, all taking place outdoors along Baldwin Avenue. Events occur every Friday and Saturday until Christmas. https://bit.ly/MSD_MerryMain, Info@mainstreetdfs.org, (850) 296-9051.
Saturday, Dec. 17, join other volunteers with binoculars for the local, 52nd annual Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. Text Malcolm Swan of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society, 210-452-4899, for a check-list and instructions about how to participate. Malcolm, who coordinates the count, is especially seeking birdwatchers of any skill level who have bird habitat in yards that are within the official Count Circle, including Destin (west of Crab Trap) and surrounding communities. Backyards can only be surveyed by their owners. “We count birds along with tracking birding effort in terms of hours birding, and miles walked and driven, to calculate index values that ornithologists compare from year to year,” said Malcolm. See also https://www.choctawhatcheeaudubon.org to join the local Audubon group, which offers bird walks and nature programs during the 10 cool months of each year.
Views: 0
