Destin is once again diving into conservation and coastal celebration with the highly anticipated 2025 Lionfish Festival, returning this spring with a splash. Set to take place May 17–18, 2025, along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, this vibrant, family-friendly event merges environmental awareness with fun, food, music, and marine education.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, transforming the Destin Harbor into a bustling celebration of local culture and ecological stewardship. The event is free and open to the public, making it the perfect weekend destination for families, divers and seafood lovers alike.
At the heart of the festival is the mission to combat the invasive lionfish, a striking but destructive species threatening native marine life in the Gulf. The Lionfish Festival not only raises awareness about this growing issue, but also encourages action through organized lionfish removal tournaments and educational outreach.
Activities & Entertainment
Visitors can enjoy a variety of engaging attractions, including:
Lionfish Filleting and Cooking Demonstrations – Learn how to safely handle and prepare lionfish with guidance from local chefs and marine experts.
Live Music – Enjoy performances from regional bands and artists throughout the day.
Educational Exhibits – Dive into marine conservation with booths hosted by local environmental organizations, universities, and state agencies.
Interactive Kids Zone – Hands-on activities, games, and art projects for the younger festivalgoers.
Local Artisans and Vendors – Browse ocean-themed crafts, artwork and sustainable products from local makers.
Tastings and Food Trucks – Sample lionfish-inspired dishes and classic coastal cuisine from a diverse selection of food vendors.
Lionfish Tournament Details
A centerpiece of the event is the Emerald Coast Open, where licensed divers compete to remove as many lionfish as possible from local waters. Registration is now open (through May 15 at emeraldcoastopen.com) and participants must pre-register and possess a valid saltwater fishing license. The LARGEST Lionfish Tournament in the world, there are monthly prizes for pre-tournament participants and huge cash prizes for the main tournament. In 2024, there were 147 participants, 11,844 Lionfish removed! Emerald Coast Open gave away $65,000 in cash prizes and over $60,000 in gear prizes.
Pre-Tournament
February 1–May 15, 2025
Participating in the ECO pre-tournament is easy for everyone! Simply go out and hunt lionfish. Drop them off at designated drop off locations (emeraldcoastopen.com) and you will receive two raffle entries for each fish you turn in. That’s it! Hunt lionfish and win prizes!
Main Tournament
May 16-17, 2025
Win big money and big prizes! Each team of up to four can go out for two days and harvest lionfish. Tournament fish must be turned in at the official weigh station before 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, to be eligible for prizes. Awards will be given for categories such as Most Lionfish, Largest Lionfish and Smallest Lionfish. This friendly competition not only supports reef conservation, but also provides data for ongoing scientific research. You don’t have to be a professional, but you do have to sign up and get out on the water. You can’t win if you don’t compete!
While no special permit is required to harvest lionfish in Florida waters, divers must follow all standard safety and boating regulations. For rules and more information, visit emeraldcoastopen.com.
Emerald Coast Open Restaurant Week
May 9–17, 2025
Concurrent to the Festival and Tournament is Restaurant Week, an event hosted by Destin-Fort Walton Beach during the week leading up to the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament. This event provides an opportunity for local restaurants to put their spin on a lionfish special while educating their customers about the impact of this invasive species.
Taste delicious lionfish at one of Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s featured restaurants during the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Restaurant Week! Local chefs will highlight lionfish in unique dishes to help bring awareness to the invasive species in our waters.
May 9 • Crab Trap Destin
May 10 • Bitterroot
May 11 • Jasmine Thai
May 12 • Beach Walk Cafe
May 13 • La Paz
May 14 • Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer
May 15 • Harbor Docks
May 16 • Sura Korean Steakhouse
May 17 • AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar (All-day special)
Why Lionfish Matter
Originally from the Indo-Pacific, lionfish have become a significant problem in the Gulf due to their rapid reproduction and voracious appetite. With no natural predators in local waters, they threaten to disrupt native fish populations and coral reef ecosystems. Events like the Destin Lionfish Festival are vital in promoting removal efforts and educating the public about how they can help.
Whether you’re a diver looking to make a difference, a foodie curious about lionfish cuisine, or a family seeking a fun-filled day by the water, the 2025 Lionfish Festival offers something for everyone. Mark your calendar for May 17–18 and join Destin in the fight to protect our Gulf waters, one fish at a time.
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