Comedy on the Boulevard
Thursday, Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. | Emerald Coast Theatre Company, 560 Grand Blvd., Suite 200 | Miramar Beach
Enjoy a one-night stand-up comedy showcase featuring comedians from across the Southeast. Tickets: emeraldcoasttheatre.org.
Cars of 30A Grand Tour
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 1–4 p.m. | Alys Beach
Explore a curated collection of rare and high-performance automobiles along the streets of Alys Beach and around Lake Marilyn. Enjoy specialty displays, live music, art, food trucks and beverages, followed by an afternoon gathering at Central Park with lounge seating, food and games on the big screen. Tickets are $60 for adults and $20 for children. Tickets and details: carsof30a.com/cars-of-30a.
“Nighttime Neighbors” Night Hike
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 4–8 p.m. | E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center | Freeport
Explore nocturnal wildlife, enjoy activity stations along the trail and hike to the bat house to watch the evening bat flight just after sunset. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children. A $5 Camp Longleaf add-on includes s’mores, cocoa, coffee and a bounce house. Bring a flashlight. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. eowilsoncenter.org/events
Night at the Museum
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 6–8 p.m. | Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave. | Valparaiso
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with costumed portrayals of historical figures, drinks, appetizers, photo opportunities and a silent auction. Admission is $60 per person and $50 for museum members. For information, call 850-678-2615 or email assistant@heritage-museum.org or manager@heritage-museum.org. heritage-museum.org
Rockin’ in Paradise with Styx and Friends
Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 8–10 | 3–10 p.m. daily | Seascape Resort, 100 Seascape Dr. | Miramar Beach
Rock legends Styx return for a three-night beachfront concert experience featuring two Styx performances and an all-star lineup of classic rock artists. Enjoy local food vendors, premium hospitality and resort accommodations steps from the Gulf. For info: styxparadise.com
Cabaret at Seagar’s: An Evening with New York Voices
Thursday, Oct. 8 | 5:30 p.m. | Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood | Miramar Beach
Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble New York Voices during its farewell tour, The Four and Only. Celebrate 40 years of vocal jazz with arrangements spanning jazz, pop and Brazilian influences. Tickets are $375 per person and include valet parking, a sparkling-wine reception, a multicourse dinner with wine, gratuity and the performance. Proceeds benefit Sinfonia’s music education and community engagement programs. sinfoniagulfcoast.org
Special 250th History Sandwiched In Lunch
Friday, Oct. 9 | Noon | Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave. | Valparaiso
Bring a sack lunch for a free presentation by Dr. Marie Hallion, curator of America 250! The Revolution. “The Road to Independence: Siege of Boston (1775–1776) and Colonial Resistance” explores events leading to American independence as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. heritage-museum.org
Dogs, Bands & Beer Festival
Saturday, Oct. 10 | Gates open at 1 p.m. | Mattie Kelly Amphitheater at NWFSC | Niceville
Bring your dog for a fall day of classic hits, cool drinks, food trucks and live music, followed by an evening under the stars featuring Atlanta Rhythm Section and Firefall. Dogs are welcome at this outdoor concert. Tickets: www.mattiekellytickets.com or 850-706-5206.
27th Annual Emerald Coast Home & Boat Show
Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 10–11 | Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Destin–Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE | Fort Walton Beach
Explore more than 100 indoor vendors featuring boats, home-improvement products, healthcare services, local businesses and pet-rescue organizations. Enjoy special show pricing, end-of-season boat discounts and more than $20,000 in door prizes and giveaways. Admission is FREE. Life Media is proud to sponsor this community event. For vendor and sponsorship information, contact Wes Fell at 850-353-2832 or wesfell@cox.net. Learn more: ParadisePromotionsFL.com.
Walton County Fair 2026
Monday–Saturday, Oct. 12–17 | Walton County Fairgrounds | DeFuniak Springs
Celebrate more than a century of agriculture and hometown pride with livestock shows, home arts and exhibits, rides, live music, fair food and vendors for the whole family. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Tradition. Built for the Future,” honors the past while celebrating the community’s future. waltoncountyfair.com
18th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival
Friday–Saturday, Oct. 16–17 | Friday, 6–8 p.m.; Saturday, 2–5 p.m. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf | Miramar Beach
Sample craft beers from across the nation during this ticketed festival at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Highlights include Seltzer Lane, bourbon tastings, food pairings and the new Baytowne Backyard Bash with bonfires. baytownebeerfestival.com
30th South Walton Celebrity Golf Classic
Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 22–24 | Baytowne and Raven Golf Courses; Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa | Miramar Beach
Join sports and entertainment celebrities for three days of golf, entertainment and charitable giving. Festivities include a welcome reception, Casino Night and Pairings Party, two rounds of golf, a Celebrity Gala & Auction, and a concluding cookout and awards ceremony. Each four-player team will be paired with a celebrity. Registration and sponsorship details: SouthWaltonCelebrityClassic.com or birdease.com/swcgc. For info: Charlie Haje at 850-259-6334 or CharlieHaje@earthlink.net.
Shinedown’s Lunatic Ball Beach Weekend
Friday–Sunday, Oct. 23–25 | Beginning at 3 p.m. daily | Seascape Resort, 100 Seascape Dr. | Miramar Beach
Enjoy three nights of live music featuring Shinedown, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm, Bush, Living Colour, Hanson, From Ashes to New, Guardians of the Jukebox, Neon Mooers and more. Visit seascape-resort.com/experiences/events/shinedowns-lunatic-ball-beach-weekend.
The Next BIG Thing 2026
Monday, Oct. 26 | Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa | Miramar Beach
Connect with professionals, entrepreneurs, executives and emerging leaders during this regional business and leadership conference. Hear innovative ideas, build connections and explore new opportunities. Vendor booths, sponsorship packages and early-bird tickets are available. For details, contact Gabrielle Hamilton at gabrielle@waltonareachamber.com. waltonareachamber.com/the-next-big-thing/
Emerald Coast Rodeo
Friday–Saturday, Nov. 6–7 | 5:30–9:30 p.m. | Northwest Florida State College | Niceville
Bring the family to the fourth annual Emerald Coast Rodeo. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., mutton bustin’ begins at 6:30 p.m. and rodeo action starts at 7:30 p.m. emeraldcoastrodeo.com
Eggs on the Beach Cooking Competition
Saturday, Nov. 7 | Time to be announced | Seascape Resort | Miramar Beach
Bay Breeze Patio hosts the 12th annual Big Green Egg cooking competition, featuring backyard, restaurant and nonprofit teams. Taster votes determine cash donations for nonprofit competitors, with every participating nonprofit receiving a donation. Advance taster tickets are $60 for adults and $21 for ages 11–17; children 10 and younger attend free. Team registration is $50 for up to six cooks, with fees waived for nonprofit teams. Discounted demo Big Green Eggs will also be available. Visit EggsontheBeach.com or call 850-269-4666.
Alaqua’s Bluegrass Barn Jam & Fall Fest
Saturday, Nov. 14 | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Alaqua Animal Refuge | Freeport
Enjoy a family-friendly celebration presented by Café Thirty-A, with more than six hours of music at Angel’s Arena headlined by Grammy-nominated bluegrass group Sister Sadie. Firetown Bluegrass and Black Creek Strings Band will also perform. Additional festivities include bluegrass jam sessions, food trucks, a full bar, local vendors, fall photo opportunities, crafts, games and encounters with rescued animals. General admission and VIP options are available. alaqua.org/events/bluegrass-barn-jam-fall-fest-presented-by-cafe-thirty-a/
Tacos & Tequila Under the Trees
Saturday, Nov. 14 | Noon–4 p.m. | E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center | Freeport
Enjoy a taco bar, tequila tasting along a trail scavenger hunt, live music and margaritas under the pines during this fundraiser benefiting the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center. Open to guests ages 21 and older. General admission is $70, and nonalcoholic admission is $40. Purchase tickets: eowilsoncenter.org.
