Fort Walton Beach is the perfect place for a festival getaway, with amazing events going on all year long. Below, we’ve put together a guide to planning your trip around Fort Walton Beach festivals, broken down by season.
Spring Fort Walton Festivals
Spring is a lovely time of year to visit Fort Walton Beach for a number of reasons, but the festivals that take place during the season are at the top of the list. Watch the beautiful kites and stunt kites fly at the Fly into Spring Kite Festival at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, held annually for 2 days from late March to early April. Okaloosa RevFest takes place in early April and showcases original art and music from local artists. Musical Echoes Flute Festival celebrates Native American culture, music, and art for 3 days in late April. The Downtown FWB Mudbug Festival serves up Cajun food and live entertainment at Fort Walton Landing Park each year in late April.
Annual Summer Fort Walton Beach Events
Summer is Fort Walton Beach’s busiest season, packed with amazing Fort Walton Beach events and festivals for you to enjoy. Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer with the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, a fun filled and family friendly festival with a pirate parade, battle reenactments, fireworks, live music, games, and activities. The 4th of July fireworks at Fort Walton Beach Landing and on Okaloosa Island’s Boardwalk are spectacular. Enjoy Boat Week and the Emerald Coast Poker Run during the 2nd week of August each year, with proceeds going towards local children’s charities.
Fall Festival Highlights
When fall arrives in Fort Walton Beach, you’ll find a number of cool events going on. The Greek Festival takes place on Labor Day weekend each year at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. The Northwest Florida Fair is held in Fort Walton Beach each fall during September and October, with 4H exhibits, a petting zoo, rides, games, and more. Nearby in Destin, the Destin Fishing Rodeo attracts anglers from all over to compete for over $100k in prizes each October. You won’t want to miss the Destin Seafood Festival in early October, either. Pet lovers can celebrate their 4-legged friends during Dog Daze, held at Liza Jackson Park in mid-October. The Panhandle RV Show in October at the Emerald Coast Convention Center showcases the best of modern RVs. November brings on Blues, Brews, & BBQ in Destin, as well as the Gulf Coast Wedding Expo at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.
Winter Celebrations and Events
What better place to escape the snow and cold than in sunny Fort Walton Beach? The Destin Harbor Boat Parade in December is quite a sight. Santa Claus comes to visit, and there is live music, arts, crafts, and a boat parade to be enjoyed by all. Winter Guest Fest at the Emerald Coast Convention Center is an annual mid-January trade show where you can win gifts, coupons, and giveaways. Destin also hosts a Mardis Gras Parade each February at Destin Harbor.
Activities to Pair with Your Fort Walton Beach Festivals
Making the most of every moment in Fort Walton Beach often includes time at one of the many Fort Walton Beach festivals this vibrant vacation destination hosts year-round! While festivals are a fantastic way to celebrate, meet new people and try something exciting, Fort Walton Beach is an area where there’s always even more to explore. If you’re the type of traveler that values an itinerary that’s brimming over with amazing vacation options, Fort Walton Beach doesn’t disappoint. The following are just a few of many activities to make sure you sprinkle into your festival-packed fun!
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
If you happen to be in town with the entire family in tow and you’re looking for an activity to pair with festival fun that speaks to a variety of interests and styles, then a trip to Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone is bound to be a great choice. Situated at 1306 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach, Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone is a one-stop shop for all things amusement park inspired excitement! Open from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm every day of the week with extended hours starting at 10:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays, Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone is a place where guests can enjoy everything from bumper boats and go-karts to mini-golf and a full indoor arcade! Feeling up for some friendly competition? Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone even includes laser tag options.
Air Force Armament Museum
Fort Walton Beach is known for its vast number of fun-filled activities, but it’s also a place where education and history come to life for those looking to learn more. When you have some time between festival stops, make sure to make time for a visit to the Air Force Armament Museum at 100 Museum Drive in nearby Eglin. Situated next to the Air Force Base, the Air Force Armament Museum is a fascinating stop if you’re the type that enjoys browsing historical displays as well as getting up close to incredible planes and aviation artifacts.
Goofy Golf
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than just being silly with your friends and family and that’s exactly what you can do at Goofy Golf. Easily found at 401 Eglin Parkway NE, Goofy Golf is a family-friendly stop where mini-golf is the highlight of a stay. Whimsical and quirky décor make this a place that captures everyone’s attention. Goofy Golf is open to the public between 10:00 am and 8:30 pm most days of the week with the exception of Thursday when hours run from 3:00 pm until 8:30 pm.
Contact Us Today and Plan Your Seaside Escape
Fort Walton Beach is home to a variety of exciting events year-round, but especially on New Year’s. Give our team of reservation specialists a call or an email today to find out more about the variety of Fort Walton Beach events, activities, and attractions you and your guests can enjoy during your time in Fort Walton Beach when you book your lodgings in one of our gorgeous condo rentals with an ocean view!
