Get Your Pirate on at the Billy Bowlegs Festival May 15-19
The 69th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival will take place in Fort Walton Beach from May 15 to May 19, 2025. Festivities begin Thursday evening with a Pre-Invasion meet-and-greet downtown. On Friday, May 16, the Landing hosts a Pirate Skirmish starting at 5 p.m., featuring live music and fireworks. Saturday, May 17, brings the main event at Fort Walton Beach Landing (131 Brooks St. SE), running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with vendor booths, food trucks, live music, and the Pirate Landing at 3 p.m. The celebration concludes Monday, May 19, with the Torchlight Parade along Eglin Parkway beginning at 7 p.m. For more details, visit billybowlegsfestival.com.
May Concerts at the Landing are Here!
May 16: Thin Ice – Rock/Blues
May 23: True Soul – R&B/Funk/Soul and Dance
May 30: Miles Flatt – Country/Party Rock variety
Concerts are free and are held Friday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Landing park, 139 Brooks St SE, Fort Walton Beach.
Bacardi Beach Bash Kicks Off Sunset Concert Series
Mark your calendar for the Bacardi Beach Bash on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 6–9 p.m. at The Island Resort—the official kickoff to the Sunset Concert Series. Dance barefoot in the sand to live 80s and 90s rock covers by local favorite Shenanigans, sip Bacardi cocktail specials, and enjoy a shrimp boil with Southern fixings (ticket required). For extra fun, hop on the Bacardi Blender Bike and pedal your way to a frozen drink. The evening wraps with a dazzling Emerald Coast fireworks show—making it the ultimate start to summer.
Details: theislandfl.com/experience/events/sunset-concert-series
Women United Presents Empowered Minds, Stronger Communities, Thursday, May 22, 6-7 p.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Library. RSVP at https://okaloosa.librarycalendar.com/event/women-united-importance-mental-health-51149. As part of the Fort Walton Beach Library Lecture Series, we invite you to join Deborah Lawson from United Way for an engaging discussion on the importance of mental health and the work Women United is doing to support our community.
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with these exciting events honoring our nation’s heroes. Enjoy live music, fireworks and community gatherings. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
- Fort Walton Beach
Worship at the Park & Church Picnic
Sunday, May 25 | Time TBA | Liza Jackson Park
Join the community for a day of worship and fellowship at Liza Jackson Park. The event includes a church service followed by a picnic. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Free admission.
- Okaloosa Island – The Boardwalk
Memorial Day Weekend Fireworks Show
Sunday, May 26 | 9 p.m.| The Boardwalk, 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE
Experience a spectacular fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico. Arrive early to enjoy dining and shopping at The Boardwalk. Free diffraction glasses will be distributed while supplies last.
- Destin Harbor – HarborWalk Village
Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
Saturday, May 25 | 7–9 p.m.
Sunday, May 26 | 5:30–9 p.m.
Monday, May 27 | 7–9 p.m.
Kick off summer with live music on the Main Stage all weekend long. Sunday features a vintage air show at 5:40 p.m., followed by a concert and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Free admission.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Memorial Day Celebration
Saturday, May 24 | 7–9 p.m.
Sunday, May 25 | 6–9 p.m.
Enjoy live music from Forrest Williams Band on Saturday and Saltwater Revival on Sunday. Sunday also includes kids’ activities and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Free admission.
