Farmers Markets
Grand Blvd. Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Grayton Locals Market Thursdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hibiscus Guest House
Seaside Amphitheater Saturdays and Tuesdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Peddlers Pavilion Sundays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Rosemary Beach at North Barrett Square Sundays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
SOWAL Comedy Festival Feb. 12-14
SOWAL Comedy Fest (formerly Sand Up Comedy Fest) returns, bringing three days of sharp, big-city stand-up to South Walton over Valentine’s weekend. Venues include: SOWAL House, Wild Olives, and Distillery 98. Shows run nightly with two showtimes, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at each venue. 2026 Headliners: Peter Wong, Anjelica Scannura, & Carter Deems. Purchase tickets, view the full lineup, and learn more at sowalcomedyfest.com. Support and sponsorships benefit the SOWAL Foundation (SOFO), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and uplifting local creatives.
Hard Hats & High Heels Feb. 13
Habitat Walton County invites you to join them at the annual Hard Hats & High Heels, a women’s empowerment luncheon bringing together a cross-section of the Emerald Coast’s professional, social, and philanthropic leaders. The Hard Hats & High Heels Luncheon takes place at The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
My Furry Valentine at AJ’s Grayton Beach Feb. 14
Join AJ’s Grayton Beach from 1-3 p.m. for a special Valentine’s Day event! My Furry Valentine invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a fun, loving atmosphere with your loved ones, both human and canine. Groove to live music by Sean Williams from 12-4 p.m. Road Dogg Rescue will be on-site with adorable pups available for adoption or looking for foster families. Enjoy Tito’s Swag for you and your furry friend, plus Tito’s Specialty Drinks. Refresh with a Wicked Weed Beer and get a FREE pint glass with the beer special.
Be Mine Dinner & Live Music at Fish Out of Water Feb. 14
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with FOOW as they host a special Be Mine three-course dinner from 4-9 p.m., perfectly paired with their exclusive WaterColor private label wine. Throughout dinner, enjoy live music by husband-and-wife duo Gillerans Island from 6-9 p.m. Reservations are not accepted; seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. View the menu at dinefish30a.com/events.
Anti-Valentine’s Day at North Beach Social Feb. 14
Join NB Social for ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY, a night to embrace the joy of being unattached and celebrate with great bay views, heartbreaking desserts, spicy drinks, and DJ Grateful Dan spinning live. The celebrations begin at 6 p.m. If the upcoming couples’ holiday has you down, North Beach Social is here to put some pep in your step and a drink in your hand!
IDIDAHIKE 2026 Feb. 14
Spend Valentine’s Day outdoors during IDIDAHIKE, hosted by the Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. The annual event features guided hikes of varying lengths through the scenic Nokuse Land Conservancy, part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and home to sections of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
Designed for families, casual walkers and experienced hikers alike, IDIDAHIKE combines outdoor adventure, conservation education and community connection in one of Northwest Florida’s most treasured natural settings. Info & registration: ididahike.org.
Toast ’n Jam: Sincerely, Sondheim Feb. 15
Sinfonia Gulf Coast welcomes back Broadway favorite Nicholas Rodriguez for a special Valentine’s weekend brunch concert celebrating the life and legacy of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim at 10:30 a.m. at Hotel Effie, Miramar Beach. Toast ’n Jam: Sincerely, Sondheim blends live music, storytelling and excerpts from Sondheim’s handwritten letters for an intimate, heartfelt experience.
A beloved Sinfonia audience favorite, Rodriguez is joined on piano by Grammy- and Emmy Award–winning music director John McDaniel. Together, they bring to life selections from Company, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and other Sondheim classics, while sharing stories of the composer’s friendships with icons such as Oscar Hammerstein II, Jonathan Larson and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Tickets are $125 per person and include brunch, performance and gratuities; limited front-row seating is available for $195. Proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community programs. Seating is limited. Tickets and information are available at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling (850) 460-8800.
Russell Brand at Old Florida Fish House Feb. 16 & 17 and March 2 & 3
Russell Brand returns to Old Florida Fish House. Tickets are live now — catch the energy and the laughs beginning at 5:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at oldfloridafishhouse.com.
AJ’s Grayton Beach Mardi Gras Celebration Feb. 17
The annual AJ’s Grayton Beach Mardi Gras Celebration begins at 3 p.m. on Fat Tuesday. The party kicks off with a delicious Crawfish Boil followed by live music with Dikki Du & Zydeco Krewe at 4 p.m., bringing the vibrant sounds of Louisiana right to AJ’s! Enjoy Cajun favorites including Crawfish, Gumbo, Étouffée, Jambalaya, and Red Beans. Sip on Hurricane drink specials to keep the celebration going and $5 Big Draft Beers to quench your thirst. Come eat, drink, and dance with AJ’s this Fat Tuesday!
The 30A Wine Festival Feb. 18-22
The 30A Wine Festival, underwritten by The Alys Foundation, returns to the beautiful community of Alys Beach. Cleanse your palate and prepare for five days of exquisite wines, delectable dishes, and beautiful surroundings. The festival showcases renowned distillers, vintners, and culinary favorites over four days of celebration – a series of events and workshops where wine enthusiasts and bourbon lovers alike relish in the festivities within the captivating town of Alys Beach. Visit 30awinefestival.com for more details on the festival events, tickets, participants and more.
Sandestin Gumbo Festival Feb. 20-21
The event is a beloved local winter tradition in South Walton. Featuring gumbo tasting throughout The Village, as well as a bloody mary competition and live music. This year’s event is promising to serve up fun for everyone. The event begins with a kick-off party the 20th at 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grille, with the main event from 1-4 p.m. at The Village the 21st. Visit sandestingumbofestival.com for tickets and details. Event will happen rain or shine.
Shrimp & Grits Festival Feb. 28
The festival will showcase shrimp & grits dishes from some of your favorite local restaurants on the Emerald Coast. Proceeds from the festival benefit over 5,000 local club kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. This spirited and fun competition features local area restaurants, showcasing their culinary expertise and innovative variations of the Shrimp & Grits dish. Enjoy “tasting stations,” live entertainment, craft beer and cocktail samples of choice. Guest celebrities will judge the competition for winners in several categories, with of course, the coveted “People’s Choice” title voted by all the guests. Learn more and get tickets at www.shrimpandgritsfest.com.
Tea Fore Her March 1
Gather your friends and join Fore Her at noon for Tea Fore Her at The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. Enjoy lunch and tea with great company while raising funds for breast cancer patients along the Emerald Coast. During the event there will be a photo booth, silent auction, lunch, wine pull and more. Big hats encouraged for a chance to win “Best Hat” prize. Tickets can be purchased online at www.foreher.org/event-details/tea-fore-her-2.
Emerald Coast Boat & Lifestyle Show March 6-8
This land-based show at Aaron Bessant Park will feature boat displays from all major manufacturers and the top dealers representing the latest in boats, high-tech engines, electronics and marine accessories. Buyers will find everything in between. REAL. FUN. BOATS. Making it much more than a boat show, this event features everything for the kind of active, outdoor beach living so popular along the Emerald Coast. From stand-up paddleboards and fishing kayaks, to outdoor kitchens, diving, active wear and beach cruising bicycles. Visit emeraldcoastboatshow.com to purchase tickets, check out the venue and registered exhibitors.
Book Carnaval | Festival del Libro at Grand Boulevard March 7
Join fellow book-lovers in Grand Boulevard in Grand Park from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for Book Carnaval / Festival del Libro, a vibrant celebration of books, community, and creativity! Free and open to all ages. Bring a book to swap. Bring a friend to brag. Wear your best carnaval costume! There will be free books, costume parade, arts & crafts, yummy treats and tons of other literary adventures!
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.
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. This weekend is presented by the Dugas family and will take place on their stunning family estate overlooking the Choctawhatchee Bay in Santa Rosa Beach. Details and tickets at givebutter.com/c/SoireeontheBayACTV.
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. Confirmed vintners include owners and winemakers from Allegrini, Cardinale and Lokoya, Domaine de la Clos Chapelle, Dossier, Doubleback, Forman, Jarvis Estate, Phifer Pavitt, Aaron Pott Wines, Revana Wine Portfolio, Thompson 31Fifty, VGS Chateau Potelle and more.
The Destin Charity Wine Auction is held in conjunction with the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, also taking place at Grand Boulevard the same weekend. The festival showcases hundreds of premium wines, spirits and culinary offerings, with proceeds benefiting DCWAF. More participating chefs and vintners will be announced in the coming months. Full details are available at dcwaf.org.
