NOW UPDATED FOR 2023!
Destin may be short on snow for Christmas, but this area is big on Holiday spirit. You'll be amazed at the dazzling light displays throughout Destin, Niceville and along the 30A. These are just a few of the well known Christmas light showings we know of, if you have any to add, please include them in the comments section below.
Destin Area
Candy Cane Lane in Destin
Probably the "most decorated" neighborhood in Destin, this is a "must add" to your Christmas lights tour. Location: Sea Oats Drive, Destin
Northgate Estates Luminaries
This is another subdivision that goes all out, they even have their own Christmas parade. Location: Northgate Estates, 232 Echo Circle, Fort Walton Beach
Christmas Reflections
Christmas lights around Lake DeFuniak that are on every night from the day after Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve, weather permitting.
Organized Events
12 Nights of Lights
Friday, December 1st - Saturday, December 23rd/23 | 3 Shows at 6, 7, & 8 pm
Location: Events Lawn Village of Baytowne Wharf
This December, enjoy a festive light show every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday leading up to Christmas! This sparkling event will be featured during our special holiday edition of the Wednesday Night Concert Series. Watch three dazzling shows on the Village tree and Event Plaza Lawn at 6:00pm, 7:00pm, and 8:00pm on our NEW tree!
Rockin' Holiday Concert Series
Saturday, December 2/23 | 5 pm - 8 pm
Location: Main Stage at HarborWalk Village
The Main Stage will be Rockin' with your holiday favorites followed by FIREWORKS at 8PM! every Saturday through December 16! & a firespinning finale by Autumn Lyfe!
FREE! Holiday Concert Series & Santa Visits
Wednesdays in December from the 6th - 20th || 6 - 8 pm
Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf
Come find the holiday spirit with us and tap your feet to some of your favorite sing-a-long classics. Every Wednesday this December enjoy our Holiday edition of the Wednesday Night Concert Series. Each concert will feature Visits with Santa.
Holiday Pops feat. Brian Stokes Mitchell
December 8/23
Dubbed "the last leading man" by The New York Times, Brian Stokes Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award winner with a versatile career spanning Broadway, television, film, and concerts.
Time: 7:30 pm | Location: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center
Get tickets here
"Holiday on the Harbor - Mistletoe Market
December 9-10/23 |
Location: Harborwalk Village
Mistletoe Market is your one-stop shop for Holiday gift-getting! Enjoy shopping at vendor tents, gift wrapping, festive drink samples, and the Destin Boat Parade all in ONE weekend!
Hours: Saturday, Dec. 9th, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sunday, Dec. 10th, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
"Holiday on the Harbor - Destin Boat Parade
December 10/23 | 6pm - 7 pm
Location: Harborwalk Village
The Harbor will be dancing with lights and cheer during the 37th Annual Destin Boat Parade followed by a FIREWORKS FINALE AND Fire Spinning! Make sure you start planning early, there are several prizes for the various boats, and it's great fun being involved. Get boater registration information here
"Tuba Christmas at Baytowne Wharf
December 9/23 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Come out to The Village of Baytowne Wharf for Tuba Christmas, a wonderful concert with some of your favorite holiday classics on the Event Plaza. It's a beautiful holiday tradition in Sandestin. Admission is free and open to the public. More than 30 brass instruments play some of your favorite holiday classics. Don't forget to stop by the Events Plaza and take your photo with Santa!
The Mean One
Friday, December 15/23 | 5 pm to 9 pm
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Have your photo taken with Grinch himself from 5pm to 7pm, and then watch a movie screening of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas starting at 7:00pm.
Wild Christmas at the Zoo
December 16 - 23/23
Experience a Wild Christmas at Emerald Coast Zoo. It is an extraordinary way to celebrate the season. Watch the animals open presents throughout the day, take a picture with Santa from 11 AM-2 PM, give Elsa a hug, and enjoy hot chocolate in a souvenir mug.
Location: Emerald Coast Zoo, 5262 Deer Springs Road, Crestview, FL
Get event info here
FREE! Baytowne Countdown NYE
Sunday, December 31/23 | 6 pm to 1 am
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
You don't want to miss The Village of Baytowne Wharf's end-of-the-year celebration! Ring in 2024 with a night to remember featuring live music and two breathtaking fireworks displays at 8:00pm & midnight. Enjoy our family friendly evening from 6pm-8pm with face painting, kids activities, and LIVE music on the Baytowne LIVE stage. Finish off the family friendly evening with our first fireworks display at 8pm. The fun doesn't stop there! Dance the night away with LIVE music from 7pm until 1am, featured on the Events Plaza Stage! End the night with a spectacular midnight fireworks show.
New Year's Eve
Sunday, December 31/23 | 7 pm to 12 am
Location: HarborWalk Village
Ring in the New Year with all the enchantment of a Harbor Celebration! Dance away 2023 with LIVE entertainment happening on the main stage, beginning at 7:00PM with Strange Boy, followed by The New Royals at 9:30PM. Turn your eyes to the skies for a dazzling firework display over the Harbor and shout along as we countdown the Ball Drop, welcoming a New Year!
Niceville
Geek Lights on the Corner, Niceville
Full-on computer-animated lights and music show where technology meets the true meaning of Christmas. Located at the corner of Bluewater Boulevard and Antiqua Way in Bluewater Bay. Lights and music show begin on the hour and half hour starting at 6 pm with the last show starting at 9:30 pm. Season 16 runs from November 27, 2023 through Jan 7, 2024
Troon Goon Christmas Lightshow
Features an all RGB-light show for exciting color changes and a wide variety of electronic animations. Watch and listen from the comfort of your vehicle via FM radio station. Visit the website while watching to vote for your favorite song versions. It's a different show every year and it loops every hour and half-hour from 6-9:30pm between the first Saturday in Dec through Jan 6. Location: 1074 Troon Dr E, Niceville, FL, 32578
Outskirts of Destin
Tour 30A
Don't forget to take a tour along 30A where many of the small towns go all out for the holidays. Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach and Seaside all have 1000s of twinkling lights and garlands and huge decorated trees.
Sowell's North Pole Christmas Light Display - November 27 - December 25/2023
A bit off the beaten path, but worth the drive, especially if you have young children. Even more displays this year. Open from 5:30-9pm, they charge $10/car to drive through plus $2/person to ride the train. This is a well attended, annual event. Location: 7650 Sowell Rd, Milton, FL
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