Emerald Coast Theatre Company: Little Shop of Horrors Jan. 24 – Feb. 9
In the Woods 30A 50K Jan. 25
Rotorhead 30A Running Company presents the 2025 In the Woods 30A 50K. Set to take place on Saturday, January 25 beginning at 6:30 a.m., the race will start and finish at the Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake Trailhead. The In the Woods 30A 50K offers three race categories from which to choose from: the 50K solo, the 2-person relay and the 3-person relay. The relay teams can be all gals, all guys, or a mix of both. Post Race Social at Beach Camp Brewpub. To get registered or for more info, visit https://ultrasignup.com.
Crescendo! Kick Off Lunch Jan. 30
Crescendo! is an exciting cultural extravaganza to benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community engagement initiatives. This energy-infused experience will celebrate the cultural and culinary arts by showcasing world-class vintners, expert spirit purveyors, amazing auction items, and an award-winning musical guest. Taking place Friday, February 28 & Sunday, March 2, 2025. This year’s theme is, Paint The Town Red!
Proceeds from Crescendo! benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community engagement initiatives. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call (850) 460-8800.
Hard Hats & High Heels Feb. 7
Habitat Walton County invites you to join them at the annual Hard Hats & High Heels, a women’s empowerment luncheon bringing together a cross-section of the Emerald Coast’s professional, social, and philanthropic leaders. The Hard Hats & High Heels Luncheon takes place on Friday, February 7th at The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
This year’s event showcases a keynote speaker, a silent auction, games, prizes, an awards presentation, seated lunch, complimentary cocktail (21+), Wine & Spirits Pull, and more. Take the opportunity to wear your favorite heels! Visit waltoncountyhabitat.org for more information.
Pink Run 5K and Walk Benefiting Fore Her Feb. 8
The annual Pink Run 5K and Walk benefiting Fore Her returns to The Village of Baytowne Wharf on Saturday, February 8 beginning at 8:30 a.m. This lively and memorable event includes a timed-5k Race, Walk, Survivor Stroll and After Party, complete with DJ, photo booth, a sampling of delectable bites, prizes and more! All participants are encouraged to “pink out” while racing or walking with family and friends for this tremendous cause. Register and find more information at www.foreher.org/pinkrun.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Fore Her, which provides financial assistance to local breast cancer patients. www.foreher.org.
Valentine Tour of Homes Feb. 8-9
Valentine’s weekend typically means romantic dinners and flowers for most, but for South Walton residents and visitors alike, it also signals the highly anticipated annual Valentine Tour of Homes. The two-day event offers a self-guided tour through some of South Walton’s most unique homes representing diverse architectural styles, beautiful interior design, historic significance and fine art collections. Tickets: culturalartsalliance.com/valentine-tour-of-homes.
To volunteer, visit culturalartsalliance.com/volunteer. Volunteers receive a complimentary event ticket.
Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park Feb. 8
The Friends of Eden Gardens invite the community to the annual Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park on Saturday, February 8th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The grounds of Eden Gardens State Park has over 370 camellias throughout. Beginning to bloom in late November, Camellias bring beautiful blooms to the park through the winter months. Visitors are invited to stroll through amazing gardens full of unique Camellias, see displays and demonstrations, historic re-enactments, and learn about Camellia propagating and growing. There will also be Camellias for sale as a fundraiser for the park.
Shelter House Palate & Palette Wine Dinner Feb. 8
Shelter House’s Annual Palate & Palette Dinner will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025! This pop-up style wine dinner is a unique experience, as Legendary Marine’s show room is transformed into a chic, intimate venue with a metropolitan feel. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 p.m. with the program and dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Attendees will indulge in a five-course seated dinner featuring five of the area’s most respected chefs. Each chef will create a dish for their course, complete with signature craft cocktails. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on an expansive selection of silent auction items, raise their paddle high to support Shelter House, and the painting created at the event will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in an exciting and competitive live auction.
All proceeds benefit Shelter House, the state-certified domestic and sexual violence center serving both Walton and Okaloosa counties. Visit shelterhousenwfl.org.
Biophilia Center Birds & Brews Feb. 8
Call the sitter and fly on over to the Biophilia Center for some local craft beers at their annual Birds & Brews event on Saturday, February 8th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy local craft beers, yard games, meet some feathered friends, and snag some lunch from Copper Grille and Scoops, Sweets, and Treats. Purchase tickets today! For the sober driver, there’s the 16+ Sober Driver ticket with a souvenir cup and refreshing mocktails. ID’s will be verified upon arrival at check-in. Learn more about the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center and become a member: eowilsoncenter.org.
Dog-Harmony Hops for Hounds February 23
Dog Harmony’s 5th Annual “Hops for Hounds” dog walk and after party, will be held Feb.
23rd, 1-3 p.m. at Props Brewery in Hammock Bay, Freeport. This tail-wagging event promises fur-raising fun for pups and their humans alike! The day will start with a picturesque, short stroll followed by a lively after-party at Props Brewery, complete with craft beer (for thirsty humans 21 and older), live music, vendors, food trucks and more. Rescue Animal Photography will also be on hand to capture the magical moments.
Tickets are $35 per entry (includes one human and one fur friend), an adult-sized t-shirt, and a digital photo of participants with their pets. Each human walker will also receive a complimentary craft beer from Props Brewery – Must be age 21 or over to partake.
To register, visit https://dog-harmony.org/hops-forhounds-2025/. (All dogs must be current on rabies vaccinations and at least six-months old. No prong, shock or choke collars will be permitted.) To sponsor: hello@dog-harmony.org. All proceeds benefit Dog-Harmony.
La Vie En Rouge Friday, March 7th, 6 pm – 9 pm.
Immerse yourself in the glamour of 19th-century Parisian cabaret at La Vie En Rouge, presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company on Friday, March 7th. This exclusive signature event will feature exhilarating live performances, dazzling costumes, and a vibrant atmosphere for guests 21+. Get ready to indulge yourself in an evening of elegance, as we transport you to the iconic Moulin Rouge for a night of dinner, dancing, entertainment, silent auction, and many more unforgettable moments. Tickets: Table up to 4 seats – $600; One seat at a table – $150; General Admission – $125. Purchase tickets at emeraldcoasttheatre.org/special-events.
SeaLight Festival! Thursdays to Sundays, January 30 – April 13, 2025
Kaleido Entertainment presents a dazzling wonderland of light and Chinese culture, running January 30 through April 13, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., with last entrance at 8:30 p.m. at Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort in Miramar Beach. Ticket prices start at $24.99 for adults and $17.99 for children ages 12 and under. Visit www.sealightfestival.com/destin.
NFB’s Cinderella March 8-9
Northwest Florida Ballet returns to perform Cinderella at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center to conclude Season 55, Sat., March 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., March 9, at 2:30 p.m. With live music by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra led by NFB Music Director and Conductor David Ott, this beloved classic features the choreography of NFB Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen and the music of Serge Prokofiev. Tickets $48 for adults; $22 for children 12 and under. Visit https://www.nfballet.org/cinderella or call 850-729-6000 to learn more or purchase your tickets.
DCWAF Celebrates 20 years Benefitting Area Children April 25-26
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) will celebrate the 20th Anniversary Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family April 25-26, 2025! All funds raised at the annual auction benefit children in need in Northwest Florida through the Foundation’s 17 partner children’s charities. Patron packages are on sale now at dcwaf.org/tickets. In 2024, DCWAF donated $3 million to charity following one of its most successful auctions to date.
A limited number of patron packages are on sale now at dcwaf.org/tickets. Sponsorships for the event are also available by contacting the DCWAF staff at info@dcwaf.org.
This year’s auction will feature an impressive line-up of celebrity chefs and vintners from around the world, hosted by philanthropic couples within the local community. This year’s vintner line-up includes owners and winemakers from AXR Napa Valley, Domaine Serene, Verité, Jarvis Estate, Memento Mori, Pahlmeyer, Lando Wines, Roy Estate, Seven Apart, Thompson 31Fifty, Dakota Shy, Perchance Estates, Innumero Wines, William Cole Winery, Chateau Montelena, Fisher Vineyards, Nysa, and many more.
Patrons can expect a weekend filled with exclusive wines and excellent food from a variety of celebrity chefs beginning Friday, April 25 with the patron dinner experience. Each dinner features a nationally recognized chef paired with world-class vintners. Each dinner benefits one of DCWAF’s 17 partner children’s charities. All confirmed vintners and chefs are listed online at dcwaf.org/auction.
The Destin Charity Wine Auction is the main event of the weekend, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. The Reserve Tasting and Live Auction will be held under an air-conditioned tent at Grand Boulevard Sandestin Town Center. The event will feature distinctive wines from internationally acclaimed vintners poured and paired with cuisine curated by a selection of the area’s top restaurants. The event culminates with a high-energy, live auction boasting rare and distinctive wines, spectacular trips and other incredible one-of-a-kind items.
The Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family is hosted each year in conjunction with the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, which also takes place in Grand Boulevard Sandestin Town Center the same weekend. South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival will showcase hundreds of premium wines along with a diverse selection of spirits and culinary creations that deliver a world class experience to each guest throughout the weekend. Auction attendees also have access to South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting on Sunday, April 27 beginning at 1 p.m.
