EVENT CALENDAR Unwind

Foodies and wine afi cionados alike delight in the annual Sandestin Wine Festival.

EVENTS

Whether it’s a family-friendly event, a seasonal celebration, or a festival of food and drink, South Walton and the Emerald Coast are packed with events that will appeal to everyone.

Warm up the winter by revisiting some of your favorite dishes at the annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival, a treasure for guests and locals for over three decades. Or fi nd your preferred varietal at the 30A Wine Festival or the Sandestin Wine Festival.

Once the weather warms back up, venture out and expand your creative side at the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, then light up your night with a stop by Digital Graffi ti, a dazzling showcase as original artwork is cast onto the striking white walls of Alys Beach.

Many of these annual events can be reached via a free shuttle from The Village of Baytowne Wharf, and others are just minutes away from the resort. So gather your family and friends, and we’ll see you there.

February SANDESTIN GUMBO FESTIVAL

Find your favorite gumbo at the annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival, an event sure to warm your soul. Stroll through Baytowne Wharf while listening to live musical entertainment.

30A WINE FESTIVAL

Distinguished vintners and culinary experts descend on Alys Beach for this four-day showcase that includes wine seminars, bonfi res, brunch options and croquet tournaments.

SEASIDE HALF MARATHON & 5K

Whether you come as a racer or spectator, you’ll enjoy this fun-filled event that raises funds for the Seaside School.

April

← SANDESTIN

WINE FESTIVAL

Uncork some fun at the 35th annual Sandestin Wine Festival. Savor wines and fine food while enjoying live music and a picture-perfect atmosphere at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

May ARTSQUEST FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

This popular event held over Mother’s Day weekend is produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance and features more than 150 artists, live music, local food and fun throughout Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.

DIGITAL GRAFFITI

Innovative artists from around the globe use the latest technologies to project their original artwork onto the stunning alabaster architecture, walls and bridges throughout Alys Beach as part of a juried art competition.

OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERTS

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s familyfriendly outdoor summer concert series features a variety of music for all ages. Local and regional touring artists perform Motown, R&B, dance music and rock ‘n’ roll at the Cultural Arts Village in Destin.

September SANDESTIN TRIATHLON

Come to the beach to cheer on athletes as they endure a half-mile Gulf of Mexico swim, a 20-mile bike ride along the coast and a 4-mile run through Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s beach and bayside community.

October BAYTOWNE BEER FESTIVAL

Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin hosts the 14th annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival. American specialty beers from around the nation will be available for participants to sample and savor.

DESTIN SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village celebrates its heritage with the annual Destin Seafood Festival that attracts thousands who enjoy fresh seafood and live entertainment all along the Destin Harbor.

↓ BEST OF THE EMERALD COAST

The best of the best businesses from throughout the region, as determined by an Emerald Coast Magazine readers’ poll, will gather at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin to showcase their award-winning food, drinks, products and services.

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s familyfriendly, two-day signature event in Destin features nearly 200 artists from 13 states showcasing art in many media, from paintings to metal sculpture. Plus watch Plein Air artists at work, browse art by emerging and student artists, and get hands-on in the interactive Kids ArtStop station.

HARVEST WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

Sip and savor some of the world’s finest wine and culinary selections at this three-day affair. Events include a celebrity winemaker dinner and an alfresco reserve tasting that features a library of rare vintages. The main grand tasting includes local restaurants, celebrity chefs and tasting stations featuring over 400 wines from around the world. Craft beer and spirits tents and VIP tickets also available.

LAND AIR SEA PRODUCTIONS

More than 30 venues across Highway 30A set the stage for over 250 established and up-and-coming lyricsmiths at the 30A Songwriters Festival.

November SPARKLING WINE & HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Kick off the holiday season with this annual sparkling wine and champagne event at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Guests also enjoy live music, the fi rst tree-lighting of the season, and the Village’s choreographed light show “12 Nights of Lights.”

BAYTOWNE ON ICE

Make memories with a visit to the ice-skating rink at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, open November through February. The fi rst hour of each day is a reserved “Kids Skate,” for children ages 12 and under.

TELLURIDE MOUNTAINFILM FESTIVAL

This three-day outdoor fi lm festival in WaterColor showcases a selection

LOVE IS WILD PHOTOGRAPHY

of fi lms from the International Film Festival that tie in with the MountainFilm mission of exploring cultures, preserving environments and promoting adventure.

December DESTIN BOAT PARADE

Gather on the Destin Harbor for live music, children’s arts and crafts, hot chocolate and a visit from jolly ol’ St. Nick during the Destin Boat Parade,

followed by a spectacular fi reworks display over the harbor.

BAYTOWNE COUNTDOWN

The skies above The Village of Baytowne Wharf will come alive during the annual Baytowne Countdown celebration on New Year’s Eve. A family-friendly evening, including fi reworks, will be held from 5–8 p.m. Learn more about South Walton events at VisitSouthWalton.com/events.

OUR MEMORIES

• My family has enjoyed coming to the Hilton Sandestin and making memories. It’s a place that always brings us together — especially our children. The kids loved playing together in the pool and at the beach, and the bunk beds were always a hit! While attending Kids Krew, they made friends with other children and the recreation staff. They always enjoyed the poolside “dive-in” movies and tasty treats from Picnix.

One of our best visits was in 2013, when a storm stood in the way of our sun and surf. The Hilton Sandestin didn’t let it ruin our fun and jumped into action with loads of indoor activities. The ballrooms were filled with face painting, balloons, inflatables, popcorn and movies. It was quite a feat, but the staff rolled with it, and all the guests, including my #TeamBrown6, had a blast!