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Fort Walton Beach, Destin announce packed 2024 Christmas events schedule

Fort Walton Beach and Destin are ushering in the holiday season with festive events spanning from late November through mid-December.

Fort Walton Beach and Destin announced their 2024 holiday lineup, featuring traditional celebrations and new additions that aim to serve the growing communities along the Emerald Coast.

“Light Up The Night” Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at 5 p.m. (tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.)
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park
139 Brooks St SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

  • The City of Fort Walton Beach will kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. The event will feature caroling from the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus, a visit from Santa Claus and a countdown to the official lighting of the Christmas tree and holiday lighting at the Landing.

Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade
Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Eglin Parkway (Starts at First Street, ends at Hughes Street)

  • The 2024 Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade will take place along Eglin Parkway from First Street to Hughes Street. This year’s theme is Winter Sports. The public is invited to gather along Eglin Parkway to watch the parade and cheer on their favorite characters. Float applications are being accepted until noon, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at www.fwb.org/370/Parades.

Old Fashioned Christmas at the Camp Walton Schoolhouse
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center
139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

  • The Camp Walton Schoolhouse will host a Christmas Open House where visitors can experience what it was like to be a student in Fort Walton Beach’s first 1-room schoolhouse. The event will feature butter churning demonstrations, light refreshments, and holiday decorations throughout the schoolhouse. All Heritage Park and Cultural Center museums will offer free admission, and the Temple Mound Museum is offering a 20-percent discount on all merchandise through Dec. 7.

2024 Winter Wonderland
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (both nights)
Northwest Florida Fairgrounds
1958 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

  • The Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s 5th Annual Winter Wonderland event will feature a village of Christmas houses constructed from recycled pallets and decorated by community organizations. Activities include bouncy houses, Gellyball, appearances by Santa and the Grinch, and a new activity where children can decorate igloo dog houses donated by Tractor Supply Company. The decorated houses will be donated to the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Benefiting both PAWS and Emerald Coast Toys for Tots, attendees can receive raffle tickets by donating new unwrapped toys, pet supplies, or making monetary contributions.

Santa’s Firehouse Cruz-Thru Toy Drive
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Station #6
5 Hollywood Blvd NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

  • The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department will host their annual Christmas toy drive. Visitors can drive through the fire station, meet firefighters, enjoy refreshments, and donate new unwrapped toys to help bring holiday cheer to local children in need.

Destin Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Destin Methodist Church to Stahlman Avenue
200 Beach Drive, Destin, FL

  • The City of Destin’s annual Christmas Parade will celebrate the city’s 40th birthday with the theme “Flashback to 1984.” The parade route begins at Destin Methodist Church, travels down Beach Drive, and continues west on Harbor Boulevard (Hwy 98) to Stahlman Avenue. Spectators are advised to view from the north side of Harbor Boulevard. Float applications are available at the Destin Community Center, with entries requested to donate new toys, personal products, or make monetary contributions. Applications and donations must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

Holly Jolly at the Harbor and Holiday Boat Parade
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024
Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park, Destin

  • The festivities begin with Holly Jolly at the Harbor from 3-5 p.m., featuring holiday music by Fort Walton Beach High School, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and children’s crafts. The Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade starts at 6 p.m., themed “Christmas in the 1980s” in honor of Destin’s 40th birthday. The evening concludes with fireworks at Harborwalk Village.

Brunch with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Destin Library

  • The Destin Library will host a free family Brunch with Santa event. Photos with Santa will be available from 10:30-11:30 a.m., followed by brunch from 11 a.m. to Noon. The library will be closed for regular services during this special event.

One Response

  1. And the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club presents the Holiday Tree Trek, Magic Around Every Corner.

    Participating businesses have creatively decorated trees to reflect their business’s personality.
    The public is invited to participate in the Tree Trek, take selfies with the trees and submit their entries to Get the Coast to win prizes!

    See the link below for more details.

    Obtain the Tree Trek cards at the following participating business:

    Artesano Boutique
    Grifols Biomat
    Rockin’ Tacos
    Arts and Design Society
    Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
    Salt Hop Brewery
    Ashley Home Furniture
    H & H Arts
    Skylar Beauty Bar
    Aurum Jewelry Studio
    Harris Insurance Services
    SOCKS Thrift Store
    Burrito del Sol
    HOTWORX
    Soundside Waterfront Bar
    Craft Bar
    Institute of Diagnostic Imaging
    Stitchers Quest
    DeFrance Antiques on Beal
    Jake & Henry’s
    Suds N Cinema
    De France Antiques on Eglin
    Kluge’s Rucken Fidiculous BBQ
    Sugar & Co.
    DeFrance Boutique
    MidSouth Bank
    The Beal House
    Emerald Coast Science Center
    One Hopeful Place
    The Boardroom Pub and Grill
    Facial Feature Enhancement Studio
    Personalization Market
    The Laundry Room
    Florida Place Food Trucks
    Pink Coyote Dessert Co.
    The Me Method
    Fokker’s Bar & Grille
    Playground Auto Service
    The Salvation Army
    FWB Library
    Playground Music Center
    The Virga Law Firm
    FWB Police Dept.
    Rick’s Crab Trap on Eglin
    TownePlace Suites
    Wildwood Garden Shoppe & Nursery

    Click link for more details! Happy trekking!!
    https://facebook.com/events/s/holiday-tree-trek-dec-1-16-202/1299373514571790/

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Community Comments

“Interesting points are raised in the above comments. I would like to hear more pros and cons.”
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“What happened. Investigation have any answers?”
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“I love Aldi and will be happy to have one close to home!”
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“So sorry for the family. will be praying for them all.”
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Angela J Lunsford r edited paramedic/RN commented on Airmen, civilians rescue mother and son from submerged car in Navarre
“True heroes in my mind! Awesome job guys. I wish there were more people in this world like you. Thanks for everything.”
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“Will there be a casino”
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“Is there a rendering of how Hwy 98 will be rerouted through Ft Walton? I've heard it will bypass downtown and that will become a walking street. Is that true?”
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“Our list of participating businesses is finalized!! Let the Holiday Tree Trekking begin!! Get you Trek Card at any of the following business on December 1-15! Artesano Boutique Grifols Biomat...”
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