Events

January

Annual Mardi Gras on the Island Festival and Parade

Usually held near the end of January 850-244-8191 The Magical Mardi Gras Ball kicks off a fun-filled weekend on Okaloosa Island.  The festival includes live music and entertainment, food and craft vendors and kid’s activities.  The parade usually has over 70 floats.

Martin Luther King Memorial Celebration

Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium Usually held mid-January

850-243-2786 This three day event features a memorial program, a parade and a rally.

Potters Invitational

ADSO Gallery Usually held late January through late February

850-244-1271 Local potters are invited to participate in an exhibit.

March

25th Annual Fine Arts Show Creative Senior Community Center

Usually held mid-March

850-833-9586

12th Annual Archaeology Day Indian Temple Mound Museum

Usually held mid-March

850-833-9595

An open house is held at the museum.

April

Scout-O-Rama

NW Florida Fairgrounds

Usually held early April

850-683-0330 Sponsored by the Boy Scouts, the event features kid’s activities, displays and demonstrations throughout the day.

Musical Echoes

Ft. Walton Beach

Usually held in late April 850-243-4405 Annual event features music and dance performances by Native American artists, seminars on flute making and playing, and an outdoor market with Native American art, beadwork, clothing and more.

Emerald Coast Boat Show

Ft. Walton Beach

Usually held in mid-May

800-940-7642 The annual event at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island offers excitement for boaters and anglers of all ages. The show features over 400 types of boats, a vast selection of marine accessories, fishing clinics and kid’s activities.

June

Sprint Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and Torchlight Parade

Fort Walton Beach Landing Usually held early June

850-244-8191 Festival features food vendors, arts and crafts fair, music and entertainment and fireworks display. Parade rolls north on Eglin Parkway from 2nd Street in Fort Walton Beach.

September

Annual Photography/Digital Arts Exhibition

Usually held early September – mid-October Location: Ft. Walton Beach

850-244-1271 Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach presents a judged competition of photography and digital art.

October

NW Florida Fair and Fine Arts Show

NW Florida Fairgrounds Usually held late October

850-862-0211 Family event featuring carnival rides, games, food and fun.

Sandollar Motorcycle Club Pumpkin Run

Liza Jackson Park

Usually held late October

850-244-0376 Join the fun ride across NW Florida and a chance to win lots of prizes in this charity poker run.

November

St Simon's 2004 Arts and Crafts Fair Usually held early November

850-862-5685 The event features over 100 local and regional vendors.

42nd Annual Camellia Show Usually held mid-November

850-651-0385 Exhibitors from several states in the southeast compete for prizes in various categories. Plants are available for sale.

World's Greatest Baby Shower

NW Florida Fairgrounds

Usually held mid-November

850-833-9284 Pregnant women and new parents of children up to 3 months old are invited to visit display booths on prenatal health, well baby care, parenting, immunizations and more.

December

Jingle Bell Run 5K/10K

Fort Walton Beach

Usually held early December

850-863-4238  

Christmas on Main Street

Usually held early December

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

850-664-6246 Enjoy breakfast with Santa, a merchant open house, Christmas tree lighting, lighted boat parade and more.

Community Chorus Christmas Production

Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium Usually held mid-December

850-651-3563 The Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus presents their annual Christmas production.

Eggnog Jog

Fort Walton Beach

850-863-4238

Usually held mid-December 5K race.

Arts and Entertainment

First Arts

United Methodist Church

103 First Street

Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32578

850-243-9292

First Arts is a program of concerts, performing arts, and visual art events sponsored by the First United Methodist Church, Fort Walton Beach. The concert series is aimed at bringing quality, affordable entertainment for the entire family to the Fort Walton Beach area and the surrounding communities. Programs have varied from chamber music to mime.

Northwest Florida Ballet

310 Perry Avenue Southeast Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549

800-664-7787 

Founded in 1969 by Bernadette Clements, the Northwest Florida Ballet is one of the longest running arts organizations in Northwest Florida. The Northwest Florida Ballet is a semi-professional company that provides cultural enrichment for communities throughout Northwest Florida. The company presents many outstanding dance productions each season including the family favorite, The Nutcracker, classics such as Giselle and Cinderella and mixed repertory programs with live music. During the spring, the ballet packs up its stage and presents free outdoor performances in area parks which are very popular with the public.

Stage Crafters Community Theatre

Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium on Highway 98

850-243-1101

Stage Crafters is one of the area's oldest community theaters. It was formed in 1972 and has grown steadily in quality and audience appeal. A season consists of four shows, which usually include a musical, a drama, a farce, and a romance or mystery.