Sinfonia Gulf Coast has announced the lineup for its highly anticipated annual fundraiser, Crescendo!: A Cultural & Culinary Extravaganza, a three-day celebration blending world-class music, fine dining and community philanthropy. Set for Jan. 23, Feb. 27 and March 1, 2026, Crescendo! is expected to be a highlight of the Northwest Florida social season.
The festivities begin Friday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. with the Crescendo! Kick Off Lunch in the Juniper Ballroom at Hotel Effie in Miramar Beach. Dubbed Bubbles, Bourbon + More, the stylish afternoon offers high tea-inspired vibes with lunch, champagne, wine and bourbon craft cocktails, a live DJ, and a curated fashion experience featuring Balmain. Guests will also enjoy an exclusive shopping experience in the Balmain Lounge. Tickets are $175 per person and include lunch, beverages and gratuities. Early reservations are encouraged, as the event typically sells out.
Crescendo! weekend continues Friday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. with a series of intimate Vintner Dinners hosted in private homes and elegant venues throughout the Emerald Coast. These curated evenings pair acclaimed local and national chefs with prestigious wineries for a multi-course culinary experience. Participating vineyards include Opus One Winery, Promontory, Groth Estates, AXR, Reynolds Family Winery, Mondavi Sisters Wine and others, with additional culinary talent announcements forthcoming. Vintner Dinner tickets are $500 per person and include all food, wine and gratuities.
The centerpiece of the weekend, the Crescendo! Main Event, takes place Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. in the Magnolia Ballroom at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The afternoon extravaganza celebrates the culinary and cultural arts with premium wines and spirits, live and silent auctions, and an unforgettable musical performance.
Headlining the event is internationally renowned ensemble Pink Martini, performing live with the full Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra as part of the organization’s 20th anniversary season. Known for its genre-blending sound that spans jazz, classical and vintage pop — often sung in more than 25 languages — Pink Martini has captivated audiences around the world. This marks the first time Sinfonia’s orchestra has performed at Crescendo!.
Main Event guests will enjoy reserved table seating, hors d’oeuvres, an elegant seated late lunch and an all-inclusive afternoon of music, food and wine. Tickets are $225 per person, with tables of 10 available.
“Crescendo! is unlike any other annual event we produce,” said Sinfonia Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller. “It’s an intentional fusion of culture, community and philanthropy that directly supports our music education and outreach programs across Northwest Florida.”
Proceeds from Crescendo! benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s extensive education and community engagement initiatives, including musicians in schools, free orchestra concerts, student transportation, the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra, partnerships with Florida State University, Carnegie Hall’s Link Up concerts, the Paint the Music initiative and Arts in Medicine programming with Sacred Heart Hospital.
Tickets are now on sale at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling the box office at (850) 460-8800. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Klara Mikolai at kmikolai@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.
