Amazing Fall Events In and Around Destin, Florida

We love fall for many reasons and the incredible fall festivals in and around Destin, Florida is at the top of our list. Check out this incredible line-up!

OCTOBER

Oct. 7 – Destin Seafood Festival (Destin Harbor)

The Destin Seafood Festival is better than ever for 2023! One of Destin’s most celebrated traditions, the Destin Seafood Festival kicks off the Destin Fishing Rodeo, which extends the entire month of October. The event was started in 1978 by the Destin Charter Boat Association Women’s Auxiliary and has grown into a cherished tradition over the last 45 years. The Destin Seafood Festival remains the primary fundraiser for the Destin Charter Boat Association. FESTIVAL HOURS: October 6th | 4pm-10pm October 7th | 10am-10pm October 8th | 10am-6pm. Learn more here. 

Oct. 7 - Baytowne Beer Festival (Miramar Beach)

The Village of Baytown Wharf at Sandestin presents the 15^th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest. The main event is on Saturday, Oct. 7 and features more than 200 domestic craft beers available for sampling. Enjoy live music and lively conversations with brewery representatives. Learn more here.

Oct. 12-14 – Salt Water Music Festival (Destin)

Macy Gray, best known for her international hit single I Try, will kick off the Festival on the Thursday, Oct. 12 hitting the stage with her band, The California Jet Club, performing hot tracks from her newest album, The Reset. On Friday, Oct. 13, the festival will feature an evening of five of Nashville’s hottest singer/songwriters including Ben Burgess, Jared Mullins, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds, the Josh Mirenda Band along with headliner country music duo LOCASH. ON Sunday, Oct. 14, music lovers can meet and greet many of the singer/songwriters during Brunch at Soleil. Advance tickets starting at $50 per person. Learn more at MKAF.org.

Oct. 14 – Eggs on the Beach Big Green Egg Cooking Competition (Miramar Beach)

Fun for all ages. Cook teams will be feeding families their favorite dishes prepared on the Big Green Egg. Hosted at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, Eggs on the Beach will feature more than 20 cook teams, serving tasting samples. Event also includes live music, chances to win prizes and more. Purchase a child ticket for children ages 11-17. Kids 10 and under are free with an adult ticket. Proceeds benefit the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Food for Thought.  For more information, visit www.EggsontheBeach.com

Oct. 14 – Bloody Mary Festival (Miramar Beach)

The Market Shops 8th Annual Bloody Mary Festival benefiting Habitat for Humanity – Walton County. The annual event will feature unlimited tastes of South Walton’s most creative and innovative bloody marys made with Distillery 98’s Dune Laker Vodka and served by the finest restaurants and bars on the Emerald Coast.  Learn more or purchase tickets at https://www.thebloodymaryfest.com/

October 19-22 – 7^th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival

Rated as one of the premier wine and food festivals in the Southeast, Harvest Wine & Food Festival returns to WaterColor for four days of epicurean excellence that is sure to delight both wine and culinary enthusiasts alike. This year's festival will feature wine dinners, our famous Grand Tasting, cocktail inspired events, the newly reimagined Harvest After Dark, and more while raising money for a good cause. The proceeds of Harvest Wine & Food Festival benefit Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation's mission of helping children in need in Northwest Florida. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

October 25 – Unplugged (Destin)

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation introduced Unplugged — a new series featuring intimate “listening lounge” concerts on Wednesdays on the veranda at Henderson Beach Resort. These intimate afternoons showcase musicians and small bands performing acoustic sets on the Sunset Terrace of Henderson Beach Resort.

October 25 – 28 – CRAFTED! (Alys Beach)

Alys Beach Crafted was created to celebrate the collaboration of talents along 30A. This event aims to tell the stories of crafted beverages, culinary experiences, artistry and workmanship. Crafted will be a weekend of events, a gathering of renowned craftspeople from around the country, Firkin Fete, Spirited Seminars and the Spirited Soiree. All proceeds benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Learn more at https://alysbeachcrafted.com/

October 27 – 28 – Festival of the Arts

This year’s 28th annual Festival of the Arts kicks off a day early with something new on Friday, Oct. 27 — the Arty Kick-Off Party at Henderson Beach Resort in Destin. The juried Festival exhibition of more than 100 artists follows on Saturday, Oct. 28 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 29 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. Additions to this year’s free celebration of art, music, food, and family fun will be expanded food & beverage offerings, a VIP Lounge experience, a Splatter Studio for kids, a live theater showcase, and more.  Learn more at https://mkaf.org/arts-festival/

NOVEMBER

Nov. 3 - 30A Barbecue Festival

The 30A BBQ Festival at Grand Boulevard is a family-friendly, public fundraising event for the non-profit organization, The Sonder Project. Beginning a 5:30PM on November 3, local businesses serve up BBQ samplers to compete for “Best BBQ” as voted on by attending guests who will enjoy all-you-can-eat BBQ, drinks, a silent auction and live music. Learn more here.

Nov. 4 - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Gala Event

Experience the electrifying energy of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue live in an intimate, seated dinner concert. From the moment they take the stage, audiences will be captivated by their infectious charisma and magnetic performance. With a fusion of funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock, Grammy-nominated Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, deliver tight, explosive performances that will make you move. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable musical celebration that showcases the primal power of music to bring us all together. Proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its education and community outreach engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida. Learn more here. 

Nov. 10-12 – Seeing Red Wine Festival

 Celebrating its 31st anniversary, the SEASIDE® Seeing Red Wine Festival has grown to be a sell-out event, attracting wine connoisseurs and novices alike. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their tickets well in advance. The Seeing Red Wine Festival has been recognized as one of the “Top 10 Can’t-Miss Fall Wine Festivals,” by Fodor’s Travel. Learn more and purchase tickets at https://seasideseeingred.com/ 

Nov. 9 – MKAF 11^th Annual Wine Walkabout

A part of MKAF’s Artful Dining series, the 11^th Annual Wine Walkabout will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Destin. Guests will sip fine domestic and imported wines, savor delectable bites by Chef Ruston Johnson, enjoy live music along with a wine pull, silent auction, an exciting drawing of valuable prizes, and more.

Start planning your fall beach escape and attend one of these fabulous fall festivals at the beach. 

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Published on Thursday, August 31, 2023