E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Night Hike March 7 | 5–8 p.m.
Discover the magic of Florida after dark during the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s Night Hike on Saturday, March 7. This family-friendly evening adventure features a guided walk along scenic trails to the Center’s bat house, where guests can watch native bats emerge at dusk, plus interactive educational stations highlighting nocturnal wildlife and conservation.
Food vendors will be on site, and guests are encouraged to bring flashlights and dress for an outdoor evening. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4–12, with VIP access available for members. Enhance the experience with the Fireside Owl Experience add-on ($5), featuring a native ambassador owl encounter, marshmallow roasting, hot cocoa and a kid-friendly craft. For more information, contact the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center.
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.
Northwest Florida Ballet’s Alice in Wonderland | March 7 at 7:30 p.m. | March 8 at 2:30 p.m. | Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Northwest Florida Ballet closes its 2025–2026 season with the premiere of Alice in Wonderland, an imaginative full-length ballet choreographed by Jill Eathorne Bahr. This original adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic features NFB company dancers alongside international guest artists, brought to life through immersive projections, elaborate costumes and a dynamic musical score by renowned French composers. Audiences will follow Alice’s whimsical journey through vivid garden landscapes, surreal scenes and larger-than-life characters in a visually stunning production perfect for families and ballet lovers alike. Tickets are $48 for adults and $22 for children 12 and under. Learn more at NFBallet.org/alice-in-wonderland or call the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office at (850) 729-6000.
CVHN Soirée on the Bay | March 13
Enjoy a lavish gathering with fine wine, food and spirits at Soiree On The Bay: Act V, an elevated weekend benefiting Children’s Volunteer Health Network honoring 20 incredible years of care, compassion and community impact. Presented by the Dugas family, the weekend will take place on their stunning family estate overlooking the Choctawhatchee Bay in Santa Rosa Beach. Details and tickets at givebutter.com/c/SoireeontheBayACTV.
7th Annual International Festival Celebrates Culture, Food and Music | March 21 | The Landing, Fort Walton Beach
Celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary while experiencing cultures from around the world at the 7th Annual International Festival on Saturday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Landing (139 SE Brooks St., Fort Walton Beach). Organized by Conexión Media Group to benefit United for a Good Cause Inc., the family-friendly event features international music, food, folklore and art, bringing “The World UNITES in the Emerald Coast.” The festival also welcomes singers, bands, clubs and folkloric groups, along with vendors and business sponsors. Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber members receive a 25% discount on vendor rates. For details or participation opportunities, email conexionflorida@gmail.com, call 850-368-3505 or visit conexionflorida.com.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival | April 23–26 | Grand Boulevard
Tickets are on sale now for the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, returning April 23–26 to Grand Boulevard with more than 600 wines, beers and spirits to sample across four days of tastings, live entertainment and culinary experiences.
The weekend kicks off Thursday with Winemakers and Shakers at Wine World in Destin, followed by Friday’s VIP Wine Tasting (4–6 p.m.) featuring rare selections and expert pours, plus Bitters, Brews & Bartenders (5:30–8 p.m.) showcasing craft cocktails, lite bites and a lively mixology competition. The Grand Tasting takes place Saturday (3–6 p.m.) and Sunday (1–4 p.m.), highlighting world-class wineries — including the Willamette Valley Vintners Association — alongside chef-driven pairings in Wine World’s Culinary Village.
Guests can purchase featured wines on site, with proceeds benefiting Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and children in need across Northwest Florida. Pre-sale tickets are available now at sowalwine.com; prices increase April 1.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Turns 21 and Goes Wild for Kids | April 24–25
The 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family benefits children in need across Northwest Florida through Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s (DCWAF) 16 partner children’s charities. In 2025, the foundation donated $3.1 million following one of its most successful auctions to date.
The 2026 auction will feature an impressive lineup of celebrity chefs and internationally renowned vintners. Held in conjunction with the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, the auction also takes place at Grand Boulevard the same weekend. The festival showcases hundreds of premium wines, spirits and culinary offerings, with proceeds benefiting DCWAF. Full details are available at dcwaf.org.
Veterans & First Responders Appreciation Lunch | April 21 | Niceville Community Center
A Superior Mechanical will host its inaugural Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Lunch on Tuesday, April 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Niceville Community Center (204 Partin Drive N., Niceville). The community-focused event honors local veterans, active military and first responders with a catered hot lunch from Swiftly Catered, special presentations and an AC system giveaway to one deserving service member or first responder in need. Eligible participants include members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, EMT/Medics, Police, Sheriffs and Firefighters. Register for the HVAC giveaway at ASuperiorMechanical.com under ABOUT US > HVAC GIVEAWAY. Supported by the City of Niceville, Niceville Community Center, Niceville High School, Rocky Bayou Christian School and several local sponsors, the event also welcomes business partners to contribute door prizes. For sponsorship details, call Marta Thorpe at (850) 814-3822.
FORE! The Love of Animals Golf Tournament Returns to Sandestin
May 9 | The Links Golf Club at Sandestin, Miramar Beach
Tee up for a great cause at Alaqua Animal Refuge’s 5th Annual FORE! The Love of Animals Golf Tournament, presented by Sandestin Investments, on Saturday, May 9, at The Links Golf Club at Sandestin (165 Sandestin Blvd. N., Miramar Beach). This signature fundraiser brings golfers and animal advocates together for 18 holes of scramble-format play with a shotgun start, on-course contests, raffles, awards and a “Pups & Pours” after party. Registration includes a cart, boxed lunch and two drink tickets. Fast Fetch Pricing offers teams of four for $750 through March 9 ($850 regular; $250 individual players). Proceeds support Alaqua Animal Refuge’s rescue, veterinary care, rehabilitation and adoption programs across the Southeast. Registration deadline is May 4. Details and sign-up: app.eventcaddy.com/events/2026-fore-the-love-of-animals.
Gate To Gate Memorial Run/Walk Marks 40th Anniversary
May 16 | Eglin East Gate Sports Complex, Eglin AFB
Honor service and sacrifice during the 40th Anniversary Gate To Gate Memorial Run/Walk on Saturday, May 16, at the Eglin East Gate Sports Complex. Held on Armed Forces Day, the historic 4.4-mile race returns to its traditional gate-to-gate course, inviting runners and walkers to pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes while celebrating the spirit of community and military heritage. Opening ceremonies begin at 6:45 a.m., with the race starting at 7 a.m. Participants may register individually or as four-person teams, and are encouraged to dedicate their journey in memory of loved ones or military heroes. Online registration is available at tinyurl.com/40th-GateToGate, with more details at eglin96fss.com/gatetogate. Registration is limited to 1,500 participants, and only 1,000 commemorative medals will be awarded.
Gulf Coast Jam May 28–31 | Frank Brown Park, PCB
One of the country’s most popular beach music festivals returns May 28–31 as Gulf Coast Jam brings four days of live country music to Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach. Headliners Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban and Riley Green lead a lineup of more than 20 artists performing throughout the high-energy Country On The Coast™ weekend.
Fans can enjoy multiple stages, food vendors, bars and interactive fan experiences while soaking in the coastal festival atmosphere that has drawn sellout crowds of more than 30,000 in recent years. Pass options currently available include General Admission, Military, College and First Responder tickets, VIP experiences and lodging packages. Several premium viewing areas have already sold out.
Payment plans are available, and attendees are encouraged to follow festival updates online. For passes and full lineup details, visit GulfCoastJam.com.
