Raisin’ the Green Returns
March 15 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Magnolia Grill
A beloved St. Patrick’s Day tradition returns Sunday, March 15, as Magnolia Grill hosts the annual Raisin’ the Green fundraiser from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. to benefit Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida and the Air Force Enlisted Village’s Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House assisted living facility.
Guests are invited to enjoy the American St. Patrick’s Day favorite of corned beef and cabbage with boiled potatoes, along with shamrocks and traditional Irish background music.
A suggested $15 donation is requested, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the charities. Both dine-in and to-go orders will be available.
For more information, call850-302-0266.
2026 Bunny Hop Trail
March 27 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Preston Hood Athletic Complex
The City of Fort Walton Beach Recreation Department will hold its annual Bunny Hop Trail on Friday, March 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Preston Hood Athletic Complex, located directly behind the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center at 132 Jet Dr. NW. Parking is available both at the Recreation Center and at the two city lots located on Hollywood Boulevard, directly across from Hampton Hyundai.
There will be treats, bounce houses, face painting, and other fun activities, as well as a “photo booth” where children can have their picture made with the Easter Bunny.
If your business, organization, civic, work or family group would like to participate by setting up a table along our trail and handing out treats, please contact Program Coordinator Pat Sherman at 850-833-9576 or psherman@fwb.org.
RENT: 30th Anniversary Production
Bold. Emotional. Unforgettable.
March 13-22 | Various Show Times | Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking musical RENT, the powerful story that continues to inspire audiences with its message to measure your life in love. Featuring a live band, this beloved production brings Jonathan Larson’s unforgettable score and deeply human story to life on stage.
Loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows a year in the lives of a group of struggling young artists and musicians living in New York City’s Lower East Side. As they pursue their dreams and navigate friendships, relationships and creative passions, they also face the realities of poverty, love, loss and the shadow of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Through unforgettable characters like Roger, Mimi, Mark, Tom, Angel, Maureen, Joanne and Benny, the story explores what it means to live authentically, support one another and find hope in the midst of uncertainty. With iconic songs and emotional performances, RENT remains one of the most influential musicals of a generation.
Note: RENT contains adult themes and language, sexual situations and non-traditional relationships.
Tickets on sale now at StageCraftersFWB.com. See ad for showtimes.
6th Annual Sporting Clay Classic to Benefit Gulf Coast Scouts
March 21 | Holt
The Gulf Coast Council of Scouting America will host its 6th Annual Sporting Clay Classic on Saturday, March 21, from 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at Element Training Complex – The Oaks, 4418 Cooper Lane in Holt.
The event features a morning of sporting clays competition followed by lunch, an auction and an awards banquet, with proceeds supporting programs that empower Scouts across the Gulf Coast region. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast, followed by a safety briefing at 8:15 a.m. and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The cost is $175 per individual shooter or $600 for a four-person team. Participants must bring their own gun and ammunition. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Register at donations.scouting.org/#/council/773/event/758. For sponsorship or media inquiries, contact Sara Lewis at sara.lewis@scouting.org or (850) 974-0287.
Easter Sunrise Service
April 5, 2026 | 6 a.m. | Beasley Park | Okaloosa Island
One of the Emerald Coast’s most meaningful Easter traditions returns as worshippers gather before dawn for the annual Easter Sunrise Service at Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island. The interdenominational gathering welcomes residents and visitors alike to celebrate the resurrection of Christ as the sun rises over the Gulf.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Santa Rosa Sound and the sugar-white sands of Okaloosa Island, the service has long drawn large crowds, with past gatherings bringing more than 1,500 people together in worship. Sunrise services have been a Christian tradition since 1732, symbolizing the moment the empty tomb was discovered on Easter morning.
Local churches from across Fort Walton Beach and Destin often participate in the service, with additional Easter celebrations held later in the morning throughout the community. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring blankets or beach chairs, as April mornings along the water can still be cool.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
April 23–26 | Grand Boulevard
Tickets are on sale now for the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, returning April 23–26 to Grand Boulevard with more than 600 wines, beers and spirits to sample across four days of tastings, live entertainment and culinary experiences.
The weekend kicks off Thursday with Winemakers and Shakers at Wine World in Destin, followed by Friday’s VIP Wine Tasting (4–6 p.m.) featuring rare selections and expert pours, plus Bitters, Brews & Bartenders (5:30–8 p.m.) showcasing craft cocktails, lite bites and a lively mixology competition. The Grand Tasting takes place Saturday (3–6 p.m.) and Sunday (1–4 p.m.), highlighting world-class wineries — including the Willamette Valley Vintners Association — alongside chef-driven pairings in Wine World’s Culinary Village.
Guests can purchase featured wines on site, with proceeds benefiting Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and children in need across Northwest Florida. Pre-sale tickets are available now at sowalwine.com; prices increase April 1.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Turns 21 and Goes Wild for Kids
April 24–25 | Grand Boulevard
The 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family benefits children in need across Northwest Florida through Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s (DCWAF) 16 partner children’s charities. In 2025, the foundation donated $3.1 million following one of its most successful auctions to date.
The 2026 auction will feature an impressive lineup of celebrity chefs and internationally renowned vintners. Held in conjunction with the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, the auction also takes place at Grand Boulevard the same weekend. The festival showcases hundreds of premium wines, spirits and culinary offerings, with proceeds benefiting DCWAF. Full details are available at dcwaf.org.
A Legacy of Honor, A Return to Tradition
Gate To Gate Memorial Run/Walk Marks 40th Anniversary
May 16 | Eglin East Gate Sports Complex, Eglin AFB | 6:45 a.m. Opening Ceremony | 7 a.m. Race Start | Eglin East Gate Sports Complex
The Gate to Gate Memorial Run/Walk returns this year to celebrate its 40th anniversary on Armed Forces Day, honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s military. Part of Eglin’s 96th Force Support Squadron tribute to America 250, the event connects four decades of local tradition with the nation’s 250-year legacy of service.
The event features a 4.4-mile run/walk along the historic gate-to-gate course, offering participants an opportunity to honor fallen service members from all branches of the military. Runners and walkers are invited to dedicate their participation to a loved one, military hero or all who have served.
The race is open to individuals and four-person teams, with online registration now available. Participants are encouraged to register by April 1, 2026, to guarantee a T-shirt size. Registration is limited to 1,500 participants, with 1,000 commemorative medals available.
Online Registration:
$50/person, Now through April 19, 11:59 PM CDT
$60/person, April 20 – April 30, 11:59 PM CDT (Non-DoW)
$60/person, May 1-15, 11:59 PM CDT (War Department ID-cardholders only)
Online Registration via ACTIVE: https://tinyurl.com/40th-GateToGate
Event details: eglin96fss.com/gatetogate
Shut Up & Write! Weekly Writing Meetup
Saturdays | 9–10:30 a.m. | Small Batches Café, Fort Walton Beach
Writers of all kinds are invited to gather, write and build community during the Shut Up & Write! weekly meetup held Saturdays from 9–10:30 a.m. at Small Batches Café, 301 Racetrack Rd. NW in Fort Walton Beach.
Part of a global nonprofit initiative, Shut Up & Write! creates welcoming spaces where writers can develop consistent writing habits in a supportive environment. The concept is simple: participants gather, focus on dedicated writing time without distractions and connect with fellow writers—no critiques, no pressure, just writing.
The free meetup is open to anyone who wants to write, whether you’re working on a novel, journal entries, poetry, professional writing or creative ideas. Attendees can expect focused writing sessions along with a friendly community that encourages creativity and productivity.
The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP or learn more, visit tinyurl.com/suawec or go to shutupwrite.com.
Gather. Write. Repeat.
FORE! The Love of Animals Golf Tournament Returns to Sandestin
May 9 | The Links Golf Club at Sandestin, Miramar Beach
Tee up for a great cause at Alaqua Animal Refuge’s 5th Annual FORE! The Love of Animals Golf Tournament, presented by Sandestin Investments, on Saturday, May 9, at The Links Golf Club at Sandestin (165 Sandestin Blvd. N., Miramar Beach). This signature fundraiser brings golfers and animal advocates together for 18 holes of scramble-format play with a shotgun start, on-course contests, raffles, awards and a “Pups & Pours” after party. Registration includes a cart, boxed lunch and two drink tickets. Fast Fetch Pricing offers teams of four for $750 through March 9 ($850 regular; $250 individual players). Proceeds support Alaqua Animal Refuge’s rescue, veterinary care, rehabilitation and adoption programs across the Southeast. Registration deadline is May 4. Details and sign-up: app.eventcaddy.com/events/2026-fore-the-love-of-animals.
Gulf Coast Jam
May 28–31 | Frank Brown Park, PCB
One of the country’s most popular beach music festivals returns May 28–31 as Gulf Coast Jam brings four days of live country music to Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach. Headliners Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban and Riley Green lead a lineup of more than 20 artists performing throughout the high-energy Country On The Coast™ weekend.
Fans can enjoy multiple stages, food vendors, bars and interactive fan experiences while soaking in the coastal festival atmosphere that has drawn sellout crowds of more than 30,000 in recent years. Pass options currently available include General Admission, Military, College and First Responder tickets, VIP experiences and lodging packages. Several premium viewing areas have already sold out.
Payment plans are available, and attendees are encouraged to follow festival updates online. For passes and full lineup details, visit GulfCoastJam.com.
