Tag: Destin Festival Events

Check our events calendar for festival events we found around Destin and Fort Walton area.

Destin Festival of the Arts

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) presents the annual 25th annual Festival of the Arts October 24 & 25 for an entire weekend of art, music, food and fun for everyone. The area’s premiere fine arts festival takes place at the MKAF Cultural Arts Village in Destin, Florida. 

Saturday Oct 24 | 9am – 5pm
Sunday Oct 25 | 10am – 4pm

Celebrating 25 years, the two-day signature event features art exhibits of more than 100 artists from across the US and Europe showcasing a diverse palette of artistic styles in different art mediums. Beyond the visual arts, the Festival will feature two days of continual live music, a sampling of the local culinary arts scene and a beer & wine garden. Entertaining street performers, lively art drawings and the sale of colorful keepsake souvenirs — all create a family-friendly festival feel.

The 2020 Festival of the Arts brings an arts-packed weekend filled with new and old traditions during the most beautiful time of year on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Festival fans can relax and dine alfresco with table seating while listening to the stellar music line up taking to the stage. 

Festival Admission:
$5 per Adult
Free to MKAF members
Free to Children under 12

Proceeds from MKAF cultural events help fund arts education community outreach programs serving K-12 students, adults and children with special needs and military and veteran populations suffering with PTSD and TBI. The event is free to children 12 and under and MKAF members. Sorry, no refunds are given for inclement weather.

Sorry, no pets! Unfortunately, the event venue is not pet friendly. Pets are often intimidated by crowds and can react unpredictably. For the comfort and safety of all of our patrons, people with pets will be asked to leave the event area, which is enforced through city ordinance. All registered service animals are welcome.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is a non-profit member and volunteer organization that has inspired over 320,000 children in over 70 schools, and United Way agencies including children with special needs and wounded warriors. 

Baytowne Mardi Street Pardi

Prepare to let your hair down on what many call the most festive day of the year, Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) with the Baytowne Mardi Street Pardi! Starting at 6 pm join us for a Village Street party complete with music, street performers, entertainers and more! The post-parade celebration continues into the night with parties at various Baytowne establishments. So break out the beads and get ready for a night to remember!

The Village of Baytowne Wharf f features restaurants, bars, shops, and family-friendly activities throughout the village. Sitting on the shore of the Choctawhatchee Bay, the area pieces together elements of an old fishing village and a New Orleans marketplace, making the atmosphere fun and relaxing. Baytowne is home of some of SoWal’s most beloved events: Mardi Gras Parade, Sandestin Gumbo Festival, Sandestin Wine Festival, Baytowne Beer Fest, Wednesday Night Concerts, Baytowne Art Walk, Baytowne Countdown and many special events throughout the year.

Baytowne Mardi Gras Parade

DETAILS
What: Baytowne Mardi Gras Parade
When: Sunday, February 23, 2020
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

The Village streets will be filled with costumed dogs and their humans along with unique and colorful floats, golf carts, and pick up trucks. Mardi Gras music will fill the air as our four-pawed friends and parade participants shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies, and other trinkets.

Interested in participating? Fill out the participant form here:
http://www.baytownewharf.com/files/pdfs/2020parade.pdf

Baytowne Mardi Street Pardi on Fat Tuesday, February 25 at 6pm.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf is the heart and soul of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the gathering place for many locals and visitors along the Emerald Coast. Baytowne Wharf features restaurants, bars, shops, and family-friendly activities throughout the village. Sitting on the shore of the Choctawhatchee Bay, the area pieces together elements of an old fishing village and a New Orleans marketplace, making the atmosphere fun and relaxing. Baytowne is home of some of SoWal’s most beloved events: Mardi Gras Parade, Sandestin Gumbo Festival, Sandestin Wine Festival, Baytowne Beer Fest, Wednesday Night Concerts, Baytowne Art Walk, Baytowne Countdown and many special events throughout the year.

Mardi Gras Parade

Mardi Gras Big Easy Bar Crawl

February 21st – Dress in your Mardi Gras best for a bingo style bar crawl! Pick up bingo cards at 6:30pm and turn back in by 9:30pm for raffle drawing! Compete for the title of Mardi Gras King & Queen at Coyote Ugly starting at 10:00pm.

Mardi Gras Parade & Pawdi Gras

February 22nd – Fais Do-Do takes the stage at 2:00 pm followed by beads, dazzling floats & street performers as the parade rolls at 4:00pm. Enter your pup in a spirited Pawdi Gras Pet Costume contest following the parade! Registration starts at 5:00pm.

Brunch, Rhythm & Brews, February Sundays

Enjoy brunch and brews at Harry T’s Lighthouse and Margaritaville, Destin with a live concert on the main stage starting at 2:00pm every Sunday, January 12th – February 23rd!

January 12th | The Two HooDoos
January 19th | Northwest Florida State College Jazz Band
January 26th | Metz Barnes and Mike Ingram
February 2nd | Paradise Bayou
February 9th | The Two HooDoos
February 16th | Bobby D Duo February 23rd | Joe Fingas

More on our Destin Events Calendar page

Tapas & Tequila presented by Garden & Gun Magazine – March 8th

A weekend of culinary experiences and craft beverages begins on Friday, March 8th at 7:00pm with a Tapas & Tequila Kick-Off Party presented by Garden & Gun—- featuring Nashville band Humming House.

Hosted on the Captain’s Deck, overlooking the Destin Harbor, enjoy an evening of delightful small plates and signature tequila beverages, mixologist demonstrations and more. This is one party under the stars you do not want to miss!

Purchase tickets HERE for Friday night. **Tickets are (claimed to be ) expected to sell out for this event.

Holiday on the Harbor & the Destin Boat Parade – December 9th

The Destin Harbor will be dancing with holiday lights and cheer during the 32nd Annual Holiday on the Harbor Destin Boat Parade!

Bring the kids to visit with Santa Claus starting at 1:00pm then at 4:45pm enjoy a special performance of the Nutcracker from the Ballet Conservatory of the Destin School of Music & Dance.

At 6:00pm, the Destin Boat Parade will light up the harbor followed by Fireworks and a firespinning show on the HarborWalk Village main stage.

12 Days of HarborWalk Holidays – December

Sunday, December 2, 2018 | 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Visits with Santa & Movie Night

Bring your list and check it twice! Visit with Santa on the main stage from 1:00-4:00pm and tell him all of your Christmas wishes.

After your visit, drop your wish list in our special mailbox to the North Pole! For every letter received, $1 will be donated to a local children’s charity.

Then at 5:00pm, join us for a holiday movie under the stars! Bring a blanket and enjoy as ELF plays on the big screen!

Bring a toy to donate to HarborWalk Village’s Adopt a Family for the Holidays program and receive a free cup of cocoa to enjoy during the movie!

Thursday, December 6, 2018 | 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Chanukah Celebration

Celebrate Chanukah with festive food, music and a grand Menorah lighting!

Saturday, December 8, 2018 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Saturday, December 15, 2018 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pmVisits with Santa

Bring your list and check it twice! Visit with Santa on the main stage and tell him all of your Christmas wishes.

After your visit, drop your wish list in our special mailbox to the North Pole! For every letter received, $1 will be donated to a local children’s charity.

Sunday, December 16, 2018 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Visits with Santa & Santa Paws Pet Pictures

Bring your list and check it twice! Visit with Santa on the main stage and tell him all of your Christmas wishes.

After your visit, drop your wish list in our special mailbox to the North Pole! For every letter received, $1 will be donated to a local children’s charity.

Santa loves four-pawed visitors too! Bring your pets for a free photo with Santa!

Saturday, December 22, 2018 | 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Visits with Santa & Movie Night

Bring your list and check it twice! Visit with Santa on the main stage from 1:00-4:00pm and tell him all of your Christmas wishes.

After your visit, drop your wish list in our special mailbox to the North Pole! For every letter received, $1 will be donated to a local children’s charity.

Then at 5:00pm, join us for holiday classics under the starts. Bring a blanket and enjoy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Frosty the Snowman on the big screen.

Sunday, December 23, 2018 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pmVisits with Santa & Cookie Decorating

Bring your list and check it twice! Visit with Santa on the main stage and tell him all of your Christmas wishes.

After your visit, drop your wish list in our special mailbox to the North Pole! For every letter received, $1 will be donated to a local children’s charity.

Don’t miss this sweet treat– decorate a Christmas Cookie with holiday icing and sprinkles! HarborWalk Village is adopting families impacted by Hurricane Michael for the holidays. To participate in ornament making, we encourage everyone to bring a toy or present for this cause.

70th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo (October 1st – 31st, 2018)

Come join us at the 70th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. Weigh-Ins are everyday behind A.J.’s from 10 am – 7 pm.

Shark Saturdays (Every Saturday)

Hang ‘Em High is the slogan of Shark Saturday! Book your shark hunt today! Every Saturday in October is Shark Saturday. We anticipate seeing some monsters brought in! The largest shark every Saturday wins a cash prize. Come join the fun!

Halloween on the Harbor! (Wednesday, October 31st)

Wear your costume and join Rodeo Captains, Anglers, Rodeo Judges, Miss Destin and staff to be a part of the largest Halloween Party in Destin. Don’t miss a minute of this fun night at the Rodeo that ends with a Bang as A.J.’s sponsors the Rodeo/Halloween Fireworks Finale!