Destin Seafood Festival
Oct. 6-8 | Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
By Cali Hlavac
One of the locals’ favorite times of year is the Destin Seafood Festival, back for its 45th year! So popular is this exciting, delicious, delectable event that more than 60,000 locals and visitors are expected to walk through. The entire Destin Seafood Festival is a two-mile stretch, beginning at Harborwalk Village and stretching all the way to Heron Harbor, with stages on each end. The 2022 Festival included more than 110 food and craft vendors in addition to local restaurants, and this year is expected to be even bigger.
Happening Friday through Sunday, Oct. 6-8, the festival kicks off October’s month-long Destin Fishing Rodeo. You need no ticket to attend and you’ll get the opportunity to take in some of the best local and coastal musicians at the beach with four stages beckoning you to a variety of live rock, reggae, country, tropical tunes and more. Local Destin restaurants and eateries will serve up scrumptious seafood specialties on the docks and along the new, pedestrian-friendly Harbor Boardwalk. Cold drinks, including beer and wine, are available and will keep you cooled off while you take it all in. You can stroll along the Destin Harbor enjoying the arts and crafts where artists and vendors display their jewelry, clothing, sculpture, glass, watercolors, oil paintings, designs and more. And don’t forget your seafood festival T-shirt!
Enjoy the festival that has always been free – or buy a VIP ticket and enjoy the VIP area. Call to Chef is a local seafood experience that brings back the flare of local seafood to our festival. Located inside the larger festival, the VIP/Call to Chef will require a paid ticket to browse the local restaurant tents, sample their food flavors and vote for your favorites. For more information on participating as a chef or being a sponsor for this great event, visit www.destinseafoodfestival.com.
All the food and fun began in 1978 when the Destin Charter Boat Ladies Auxiliary decided to establish a festival to celebrate local fishermen. It has always been held in conjunction with the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Proceeds are donated back to the community, including the Destin Charter Boat Association which works to maintain the fishery our community was built on, the Miss Destin scholarships, Destin Fisherman’s Fund to help those in need and more.
This year’s musical entertainment, with four different stages, will feature local bands playing throughout the festival. Harbor restaurants and bars will offer a full lineup of local favorites as well, performing throughout the day and evening. You can bring a chair and chill or don your dancing shoes! Bands and schedule TBA. Visit DestinSeafoodFestival.com.
This year, the Kids Zone has expanded with multiple games for all ages. Sponsored by Fudpuckers, the Kid Zone will include a Mingo Toss, painting oyster shells, sand art and more. The HarborWalk Kids Fun Zone has Hamster balls, a rock-climbing wall and a zip line. There is a seating tent nearby also. Kids will delight in face-painting and tattoos as well.
Parking will be available at Heron Harbor, the HarborWalk Village, the Marler public parking lots, the Destin Community Center and the Destin Fishing Museum. Shuttles will also be provided from the Morgan Sports Complex to the Harbor, free of charge.
Admission is totally free or you can go as a VIP with passes that include a complimentary unlimited food that include a variety of seafood, gumbos and catered treats and more. Tickets also include private bathrooms, cash bar, additional vendors, TVs, live music and more. To purchase a VIP pass, visit the official Destin Seafood Festival website.
For a site map, to become a vendor and other information, visit DestinSeafoodFestival.com. Email info@destinseafoodfest.com.
Visits: 138
