Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park Feb. 7
Choctawhatchee Audubon will host educational stations during the annual Camellia Festival on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eden Gardens State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Festivalgoers can explore the historic gardens while learning about native birds, habitats and conservation efforts. For more information about Choctawhatchee Audubon programs and events, visit choctawhatcheeaudubon.org.
Palate & Palette Feb. 7
Shelter House will host its 10th annual Palate & Palette fundraising event on Saturday, Feb. 7, bringing together art, cuisine and community in support of survivors of domestic violence. The evening features wine, tapas, live painting and silent and live auctions, with keynote speakers Nicole Schmidt and Tara Petito of the Gabby Petito Foundation. Festivities begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., followed by a five-course seated tapas tasting at 7 p.m., prepared by local chefs and paired with fine wines. The event takes place at Drive The Coast. Tickets and event details are available at shelterhousenwfl.org.
DCWAF Annual Galentine’s Fundraiser Feb. 7
DCWAF’s Galentine’s Day Fundraiser is turning five, and they’re going all out to honor the queens in our community that come together to give back! Hosted in Destin at the home of Candis Wilson, Galentine’s brings influential women in the community together to support one another while raising money for programs designed to empower young girls through DCWAF’s 16 partner children’s charities and beyond. All individuals and businesses affiliated with the production of this event are female owned and operated. The cards have been dealt, and every Queen deserves her moment during this fun day of giving. More info/tickets: https:// www.dcwaf.org/events/5th-an-nual-galentines-day-fundraiser.
Hard Hats & High Heels Feb. 13
Habitat Walton County invites you to join the annual Hard Hats & High Heels, a women’s empowerment luncheon bringing together a cross-section of the Emerald Coast’s professional, social and philanthropic leaders. This year’s keynote speaker, Lisa Gunderson, rallies groups and individuals to make life and leadership changes that truly make a difference.
Taking place at The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., tickets are available for purchase online for $75 at: https://www.giveffect.com/campaigns/33480-7th-annual-hard-hats-high-heels.
Baytowne Annual Mardi Gras Parade Feb. 15
Mardi Gras is bigger and better than ever at The Village of Baytowne Wharf! The Village streets will be filled with unique and colorful floats, golf carts, vehicles and costumed dogs along with their humans. Mardi Gras music will fill the air as parade participants and four-pawed friends shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies and other trinkets. Visit baytownewharf.com.
Complimentary Tropical Re-Union Wedding Vow Renewals Feb. 14 | 1–3 p.m.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic vow renewal at LuLu’s Destin during its annual Tropical Re-Union Wedding Vow Renewal. The complimentary ceremony, officiated by a wedding professional, begins at 2 p.m. on LuLu’s sandy beach overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay.
Couples will enjoy champagne toasts, wedding cake, flowers for the “brides,” reunion certificates, and prize awards for the longest- and shortest-married couples and most festive attire. Pre-registration is encouraged online through Feb. 9, with day-of registration available beginning at 11 a.m.
Info & pre-register: lulusfunfoodmusic.com
Location: Destin, at the foot of the Mid-Bay Bridge, next to Legendary Marina
Phone: (850) 710-5858
IDIDAHIKE 2026 Feb. 14
Spend Valentine’s Day outdoors during IDIDAHIKE, hosted by the Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. The annual event features guided hikes of varying lengths through the scenic Nokuse Land Conservancy, part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and home to sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
Designed for families, casual walkers and experienced hikers alike, IDIDAHIKE combines outdoor adventure, conservation education and community connection in one of Northwest Florida’s most treasured natural settings.
Info & registration: ididahike.org
Toast ’n Jam: Sincerely, Sondheim Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. | Hotel Effie, Miramar Beach
Sinfonia Gulf Coast welcomes back Broadway favorite Nicholas Rodriguez for a special Valentine’s weekend brunch concert celebrating the life and legacy of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim. Toast ’n Jam: Sincerely, Sondheim blends live music, storytelling and excerpts from Sondheim’s handwritten letters for an intimate, heartfelt experience.
A beloved Sinfonia audience favorite, Rodriguez is joined on piano by Grammy- and Emmy Award–winning music director John McDaniel. Together, they bring to life selections from Company, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and other Sondheim classics, while sharing stories of the composer’s friendships with icons such as Oscar Hammerstein II, Jonathan Larson and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Tickets are $125 per person and include brunch, performance and gratuities; limited front-row seating is available for $195. Proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community programs. Seating is limited. Tickets and information are available at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling (850) 460-8800.
Baytowne Beads & Bingo Bash Feb. 17, 6–8 p.m. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Let the good times roll at the Baytowne Beads & Bingo Bash, a Mardi Gras–inspired Merchant Bingo Crawl at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Pick up a bingo card by the stage, stroll the village to discover bead-worthy merchant specials, then turn in a completed card for a festive prize. The celebration continues with live music by Boukou Groove on the main stage. Beads, bargains, beats — and costumes — are all part of the fun.
Guests can also keep the Mardi Gras spirit going at Fat Tuesday Daiquiri Bar, serving up Bourbon Street–style frozen favorites like the 190 Octane and Hurricane, perfect for sipping while enjoying the Wharf’s lively atmosphere.
Decade of Difference at CALM March 5
Join Crisis Aid for Littles and Moms (CALM) as the nonprofit celebrates 10 years of serving local littles and moms through vital community support programs. The special evening recognizes a decade of impact while raising funds to continue CALM’s mission of meeting families in crisis with compassion and care.
Guests are invited to attend or sponsor the event, with all proceeds directly benefiting CALM’s ongoing outreach and services.
Info & registration: crisisaidforlittlesandmoms.org
ECCAC Gala & Golf Weekend March 7-8
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center will host its 28th annual signature Gala & Golf Weekend on March 7–8, bringing the community together to support children in need. The Gala takes place Saturday, March 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and includes dinner, music, a wine pull and live auction led by DawnMarie Kotsonis, “The Gavel Girl,” with former ECCAC client Isabella Rose as the featured speaker. The weekend continues Sunday, March 8, with a noon shotgun-start Golf Tournament at Kelly Plantation Golf Club. Proceeds benefit ECCAC’s mission to provide free services to child victims of abuse. Gala and golf reservations are available at eccac.org. For details, contact Kate McDougall at 530-341-0802 or kate@eccac.org.
