Emerald Coast Hispanic Heritage Festival
Sunday, Oct. 18 | Noon-9 p.m. | The Landing | FWB
Celebrate the sights, sounds and flavors of Hispanic culture at the Emerald Coast Hispanic Heritage Festival! This vibrant, family-friendly celebration features live Latin music, colorful dance performances, authentic cuisine, local artisan vendors, cultural exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages. Experience the rich traditions and contributions of Hispanic communities while enjoying a day of food, entertainment and cultural connection along the waterfront. Free and open to the public. Visit Elevate-Next.com/events.
Destin Fishing Rodeo
Throughout October | Destin Harbor | Weigh-ins behind AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
The legendary Destin Fishing Rodeo returns throughout October, bringing anglers, locals and visitors together in the heart of “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” Watch the excitement at the month-long, daily weigh-ins behind AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar as anglers bring in everything from grouper and tuna to red snapper and other impressive catches. This year’s Rodeo also honors longtime weighmaster Bruce Cheves, who passed away in April, with a rotating lineup of area personalities taking the weighmaster duties.
Whether you fish the Rodeo or simply head to the docks to watch the catches come in, it’s a monthlong area tradition celebrating the fishing community at its heart. Visit DestinFishingRodeo.org for details.
Destin Songwriter Festival
Oct. 24-25 | Destin Harbor & The Alice
Hear the hits — and the stories behind them — as the second annual Destin Songwriter Festival presented by Patriot Spirit Vodka brings familiar hits performed by the songwriters who created them to rising Nashville talent for two days of intimate performances and songwriter rounds. Headliner Jeffrey Steele joins Terri Jo Box, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Bridgette Tatum and more. Free performances will take place throughout the weekend at Boathouse Oyster Bar, SkyBar at The Edge and The Edge Seafood Restaurant. Saturday’s ticketed Main Stage runs from 4 to 8 p.m. in front of SkyBar at The Edge. Enjoy an intimate Sunday VIP experience at The Alice Destin. General admission is $30, with premium group tables available.
Complete lineup, schedule and tickets: DestinSongwriterFestival.com.
10th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival
Oct. 15–18 | WaterColor
Sip, savor and celebrate exceptional wine and cuisine at Northwest Florida Children’s Foundation’s Harvest Wine & Food Festival. Friday’s Harvest After Dark brings elevated wines, unexpected pairings and culinary creations to Cerulean Park. Saturday features the signature Grand Tasting, followed by a spirited Jazz Cocktail Brunch on Sunday. Visit dcwaf.org/harvestfestival.
Emerald Coast Rodeo
Friday–Saturday, Nov. 6–7 | 5:30–9:30 p.m. | Northwest Florida State College | Niceville
Bring the family to the fourth annual Emerald Coast Rodeo. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., mutton bustin’ begins at 6:30 p.m. and rodeo action starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit emeraldcoastrodeo.com.
38th Annual Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow
Nov. 6-8 | Twin Oaks Park (Mullet Festival Grounds) | Niceville
This three-day celebration features traditional dancing, drumming, storytelling, flute performances, authentic Native American crafts, cultural exhibits and food. Highlights include Friday’s Children’s Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday’s dance competitions and evening Grand Entry, and Sunday’s performances and competition awards. Held in recognition of National American Indian Heritage Month, this family-friendly event celebrates Native American heritage while promoting cultural understanding. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and younger. Children’s Day admission is $3. Visit ThunderbirdPowwow.org or call 850-279-1931.
Eggs on the Beach
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Seascape Resort, Miramar Beach
Fire up your appetite for the 12th annual Eggs on the Beach Big Green Egg Cooking Competition! Hosted by Bay Breeze Patio, this popular culinary event brings together nonprofit organizations, backyard grill masters and restaurant teams serving up creative bite-sized dishes cooked on Big Green Eggs. Tasters sample the creations and vote for their favorites, while honorary judges award top honors for taste, presentation and creativity. Best of all, participating nonprofit teams earn cash donations based on taster votes. Advance tickets are $60 for adults, $21 for ages 11-17 and free for children 10 and younger.
Tickets and information: EggsontheBeach.com or 850-269-4666.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Emerald Coast
Nov. 7 | Registration 9:30 a.m. | Ceremony 10:30 a.m. | Walk 10:45 a.m.
Grand Boulevard | Miramar Beach
Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to walk in honor or memory of someone impacted by Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The morning includes the moving Promise Garden ceremony, with colored flowers representing each participant’s personal connection to the disease. Registration is free. Participants are encouraged to raise funds to support the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission. Register at alz.org/EmeraldCoastWalk.
