Florida’s Gulf Coast may not have snow-covered streets, but fall and the holiday season still bring plenty of festive traditions. From classic car shows and Thanksgiving-weekend celebrations to Christmas tree lightings, holiday markets, Santa visits, boat parades and entire villages glowing with lights, there is a lot happening from late October through December.
Whether you are planning a late-fall getaway, spending Thanksgiving at the beach, or trading cold weather for Christmas on the Gulf, here are some of the best 2026 events to add to your calendar from Panama City Beach to Navarre Beach and all the way south to Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.
Event dates, times, locations and details may change. Always confirm information with the event organizer before attending.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach keeps the calendar busy well into fall, then shifts quickly into Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations at Aaron Bessant Park and Pier Park.
| Event | Date | What to Expect | Location / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRONMAN Florida | November 7, 2026 | Athletes take on the full 140.6-mile IRONMAN course while visitors line the route to cheer them on. | Aaron Bessant Park, Panama City Beach |
| Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Car Show | November 12–14, 2026 | Thousands of classics, hot rods, street rods, trucks and muscle cars, plus vendors, entertainment and awards. | Aaron Bessant Park 500 W Park Dr., Panama City Beach, FL 32413 |
| Beach Home for the Holidays | November 27–28, 2026 | Thanksgiving-weekend holiday kickoff with live entertainment, Santa, s’mores, a Christmas tree lighting, family activities and fireworks. | Aaron Bessant Park 500 W Park Dr., Panama City Beach, FL 32413 |
| Panama City Beach Marathon | December 5, 2026 | A popular December running weekend centered around Pier Park, with multiple race distances and a festive beach atmosphere. | Pier Park / Panama City Beach |
| New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop | December 31, 2026 | A family-friendly early countdown, thousands of beach balls, live entertainment, fireworks and a midnight celebration. | Pier Park, Panama City Beach |
Scenic Highway 30A & Miramar Beach
30A and the Sandestin/Miramar Beach area are especially festive around Thanksgiving and Christmas, with several beach communities hosting their own tree lightings, markets, concerts and holiday traditions.
| Event | Date | What to Expect | Location / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hocus Pocus Movie Night | October 30, 2026 | A free outdoor Halloween movie night under the stars at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf 9300 Baytowne Wharf Blvd., Miramar Beach, FL 32550 |
| Trick or Treat Street | October 31, 2026 | Trick-or-treating through the Village, music, costumes and a fireworks finale. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf 9300 Baytowne Wharf Blvd., Miramar Beach, FL 32550 |
| Tribute Weekend | November 6–7, 2026 | Free live tribute-band concerts on the Events Plaza Lawn. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights | November 21, 2026 | More than 30 sparkling wines, appetizers, carolers and the kickoff of Baytowne’s holiday lights. Ticketed event. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| The Polar Express Movie Night | November 27, 2026 | A free outdoor showing of The Polar Express on the Events Plaza Lawn. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| SEASIDE Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town | November 28, 2026 | Holiday parade, Santa, live entertainment and Seaside’s annual Christmas tree lighting. | 2227 E County Hwy 30A Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 |
| Here Comes Santa Claus | November 28, 2026 | Santa’s arrival, family activities, the Village tree lighting and fireworks. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| Nights of Lights | December 1–31, 2026 | Three choreographed holiday light shows every evening at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| Holiday Concert Series + Visits with Santa | December 2–16, 2026 | Free holiday concerts and scheduled visits with Santa throughout December. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| Lantern Parade | December 5, 2026 | An illuminated evening parade featuring handmade lanterns, giant lantern puppets and decorated golf carts. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| Grinchmas | December 11 & 18, 2026 | Meet the Grinch and enjoy an outdoor showing of The Grinch on the big screen. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
| Tuba Christmas | December 12, 2026 | A unique free holiday concert featuring tubas, seasonal favorites and visits with Santa. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf |
Destin
Destin combines traditional community events with some of the Gulf Coast’s most distinctive waterfront holiday celebrations.
| Event | Date | What to Expect | Location / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destin Fall Festival | October 26, 2026 | A community fall celebration hosted by the City of Destin. | Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin, FL 32541 850-654-5184 |
| Pinfish Classic | November 7, 2026 | A local fishing event held at the docks behind AJ’s Seafood. | Destin Harbor / AJ’s Seafood area |
| Destin Holiday Craft Show | November 13–14, 2026 | Seasonal arts, crafts and local holiday shopping. | Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin, FL 32541 850-654-5184 |
| Holiday Baking Class | November 24–25, 2026 | A seasonal baking activity hosted through Destin Parks & Recreation. | Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin, FL 32541 850-654-5184 |
| Grande Tree Lighting at HarborWalk | November 27, 2026 | Harborfront holiday kickoff with live caroling, hot cocoa and the lighting of the Grande Christmas Tree. | HarborWalk Village 66 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL 32541 |
| Santa’s Arrival on the Harbor | November 28, 2026 | Santa arrives by boat, followed by free family activities, performances and photos. | HarborWalk Village 66 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL 32541 |
| City of Destin Christmas Tree Lighting | December 3, 2026 | Destin’s official community Christmas tree lighting and family celebration. | Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin, FL 32541 850-654-5184 |
| Outdoor Decorating Contest | December 7–18, 2026 | A citywide decorating contest that adds extra holiday lights throughout Destin neighborhoods. | Citywide, Destin |
| Destin Christmas Parade | December 12, 2026 | Floats, marching bands and community groups travel from Beach Drive west along Harbor Boulevard. | Route: Beach Dr. to Stahlman Ave. 850-654-5181 |
| Holly Jolly Holiday Market on the Harbor | December 13, 2026 | Holiday shopping and seasonal activities on the Destin Harbor. | Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park, Destin |
| Destin Harbor Lighted Boat Parade | December 13, 2026 | Dozens of decorated boats light up Destin Harbor, followed by fireworks. | HarborWalk Village / Destin Harbor 66 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL 32541 |
Okaloosa Island & Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island offer classic community holiday traditions just minutes from the Gulf, including a large downtown market and tree lighting.
| Event | Date | What to Expect | Location / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown FWB Saturday Market | November 28, 2026 | A waterfront market featuring local artisans, fresh produce and community vendors. | Fort Walton Beach Landing Park 139 Brooks St. SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 |
| Downtown FWB Holiday Market & Light Up the Night Tree Lighting | November 28, 2026 | More than 100 vendors, holiday shopping, live music, family activities, Santa and the city tree lighting at 6 p.m. | Fort Walton Beach Landing 139 Brooks St. SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 |
| Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade | December 5, 2026 | A traditional evening Christmas parade with lighted floats, bands and community groups. | Fort Walton Beach / Eglin Parkway area |
| Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus Christmas Concert | December 13, 2026 | A long-running local holiday concert tradition. | Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium, Fort Walton Beach |
| New Year’s Eve at the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk | December 31, 2026 | Waterfront dining, live entertainment and New Year’s Eve celebrations overlooking the Gulf and Santa Rosa Sound. | The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 |
Navarre Beach
Navarre has a smaller-town holiday feel, with several of its biggest seasonal traditions centered around Navarre Park.
| Event | Date | What to Expect | Location / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navarre Community Christmas Tree Lighting | November 27, 2026 | Navarre’s annual community tree lighting and holiday kickoff, with local entertainment. | Navarre Park 8513 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566 850-939-3267 |
| Jingle Bell Run | December 5, 2026 | A festive morning run held before Christmas in the Park. | Navarre Park 8513 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566 850-939-3267 |
| Christmas in the Park & Merry Market | December 5, 2026 | Local makers, holiday shopping, family activities, live entertainment, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery and more. | Navarre Park 8513 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566 850-939-3267 |
| Navarre Community Christmas Parade | December 5, 2026 | A 1 p.m. community parade followed by free photo opportunities with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch. | Navarre / Navarre Park 850-939-3267 |
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton
The Anna Maria Island and Bradenton area brings a tropical twist to the holidays, with waterfront streets, community tree lightings and warm-weather seasonal traditions.
| Event | Date | What to Expect | Location / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMI South End Sundown Get Down – Christmas Tree Lighting | November 21, 2026 | A tropical holiday celebration with Santa, live entertainment, shopping, food and the official Bridge Street Christmas tree lighting. | Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, FL |
| Anna Maria Island Chamber Christmas Tree Lighting | December 4, 2026 | A community Christmas tree lighting at the Anna Maria Island Chamber office. | 5313 Gulf Drive North Holmes Beach, FL 34217 |
| Lester Family Fun Day | December 5, 2026 | An island tradition with family activities, entertainment, food, pony rides, crafts and a Santa appearance. | The Center of Anna Maria Island 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, FL 34216 941-778-1908 |
| Winter Wonderland | December 5, 2026 | Downtown Bradenton transforms into a holiday village with live performances, vendors, seasonal treats, snow and a snow slide. | Old Main Street / 12th Street Bradenton, FL 34205 941-301-8445 |
| Mistletoe Mahjong | December 6, 2026 | A holiday-themed community Mahjong event supporting local programs, with tournament and open-play options. | Anna Maria Island area |
Why Visit the Gulf Coast in Late Fall?
The events are only part of the reason this is such a good time to visit. Late October through December usually brings a more relaxed pace than summer, comfortable temperatures for walking and outdoor events, easier restaurant reservations, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beach between festivals.
Thanksgiving or Christmas at the beach can also be a refreshing change from the usual holiday routine — especially when the evening involves palm trees wrapped in lights instead of snow shovels.
Make a Fall or Holiday Getaway Out of It
Best Beach Getaways offers vacation rentals throughout Panama City Beach, 30A, Destin and Miramar Beach, Okaloosa Island, Navarre Beach, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, making it easy to stay close to many of these events.
Before booking, check our Deals page for current discounts and seasonal offers, then choose the event — or events — you want to build your trip around.