From the Emerald Coast to Anna Maria Island & Bradenton
If your idea of a perfect beach vacation includes fresh Gulf seafood, craft beer, and sunset wine tastings, you’re in the right place. Across Florida’s Gulf Coast—from Panama City Beach and 30A to Destin, Navarre, Pensacola, and south to Anna Maria Island and Bradenton—the calendar is packed with food, beer, and wine festivals worth planning a trip around.
Below is a curated list of the most popular food, beer, and wine festivals near the vacation rentals managed by Best Beach Getaways. Many are annual events, making them ideal for repeat getaways year after year.
Festival dates can change. Always confirm final details on the official event website.
Panama City Beach Food & Drink Festivals
Panama City Beach Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival
Dates: February 7–8, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A family-friendly winter festival featuring food trucks from across the region paired with craft beer and specialty beverages. A great off-season reason to visit Panama City Beach.
UNwineD – Panama City Beach
Dates: April 3–4, 2026 (Annual)
Description: One of Panama City Beach’s most anticipated spring events, combining wine, craft beer, spirits, and food from local chefs in a relaxed outdoor setting.
30A & South Walton Food, Beer & Wine Festivals
30A Wine Festival (Alys Beach)
Dates: February 18–22, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A multi-day wine and culinary celebration in stunning Alys Beach, featuring tastings, seminars, and exclusive wine dinners.
Sandestin Gumbo Festival
Dates: February 20–21, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A long-running Emerald Coast favorite featuring gumbo cook-offs, live music, and family-friendly fun at Baytowne Wharf.
Sandestin Wine Festival
Dates: April 16–19, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A four-day wine festival offering tastings, special events, and coastal views—one of the most established wine festivals in the region.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
Dates: April 23–26, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A premier food-and-wine weekend featuring national wine brands, culinary showcases, and multiple ticketed tasting experiences.
Seeing Red Wine Festival (Seaside)
Dates: November 5–8, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A signature fall wine festival in Seaside, blending tastings, winemaker dinners, and events throughout the charming coastal town.
Harvest Wine & Food Festival (WaterColor / 30A)
Dates: October 15–18, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A highly regarded fall festival celebrating wine, food, and the coastal lifestyle, hosted across the WaterColor area.
Destin Food & Drink Festivals
Destin Seafood Festival
Dates: Typically late September (Annual – dates announced closer to event)
Description: A classic Destin harbor-area festival featuring seafood vendors, live entertainment, and a lively coastal atmosphere.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation – Harvest Festival
Dates: October 15–18, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A nationally recognized wine and food weekend benefiting local charities, drawing guests staying throughout Destin and South Walton.
Fort Walton Beach & Okaloosa Area Festivals
Craftathon Beer Festival (Fort Walton Beach)
Dates: May 3, 2026 (Annual)
Description: A spring craft beer festival at Landing Park featuring breweries, tastings, and a relaxed waterfront setting.
Navarre Beach & Pensacola Food & Drink Festivals
Juana’s Annual Oktoberfest Beer Fest (Navarre Beach)
Dates: Annual (dates vary each year)
Description: A beachside Oktoberfest-style celebration with beer tastings, food, and laid-back Navarre Beach vibes.
Pensacola Seafood Festival
Dates: September 25–27, 2026 (Annual)
Description: One of Pensacola’s largest festivals, featuring seafood, live music, arts and crafts, and downtown energy.
Emerald Coast Beer Festival (Pensacola)
Dates: September 5, 2026 (Annual)
Description: The region’s longest-running beer festival, showcasing craft breweries from across the Southeast.
Anna Maria Island & Bradenton Food, Beer & Wine Festivals
Anna Maria Island and the Bradenton area offer a relaxed Old Florida vibe paired with a growing food-and-drink scene—perfect for festival-focused getaways.
Bradenton Area Riverwalk Food & Wine Festival
Dates: Typically November (Annual – dates announced yearly)
Description: A fall festival along the Bradenton Riverwalk featuring wine tastings, craft beer, spirits, and food from local restaurants.
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
Dates: Typically February (Annual)
Description: Held in the historic fishing village of Cortez near Anna Maria Island, celebrating fresh Gulf seafood, fishing heritage, live music, and family-friendly fun.
Bradenton Craft Beer Festival
Dates: Typically March (Annual)
Description: A craft beer-focused festival featuring breweries from across Florida and beyond, with food trucks and a lively downtown atmosphere.
AMI Privateers’ Hometown Oktoberfest (Anna Maria Island)
Dates: October (Annual – dates vary)
Description: A local favorite featuring beer, food, live music, and island community spirit hosted by the Anna Maria Island Privateers.
Bradenton Blues Festival (Food & Craft Beer Focus)
Dates: December (Annual)
Description: While primarily a music festival, it features strong food vendor and craft beer offerings, making it a fun winter festival weekend.
Plan a Festival Getaway with Best Beach Getaways
Many of these festivals—especially wine events on 30A, Sandestin, and Anna Maria Island—sell out quickly. Booking your vacation rental early helps ensure you stay close to the action.
Best Beach Getaways offers professionally managed vacation rentals across Panama City Beach, 30A, Destin, Miramar Beach/Sandestin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre Beach, Pensacola, Anna Maria Island, and Bradenton, making it easy to turn any festival into a full beach getaway.