11 Must-Attend Events in Okaloosa County, FL
Festivals add to the region’s entertainment lineup.
The region’s entertainment scene includes numerous festivals highlighted by good food, live music and cultural experiences. Here are 11 must-attend events in Okaloosa County, FL, to add to your calendar.
In This Article
1. Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival in Okaloosa County, FL
The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival will descend upon downtown Fort Walton Beach for five days in mid-May in 2024, marking the 68th anniversary of the event. The festivities begin with a Thursday Downtown Pub Crawl and culminate with a Monday Torchlight Parade.
2. Concerts in the Village in Okaloosa County, FL
Dugas Stage in Destin is where this spring and summer music series presents diverse genres of music for all ages and families. Weekly entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Florida Travel Guide has named Concerts in the Village among the Top 10 Things to Do in Northwest Florida.
3. Destin Seafood Festival in Okaloosa County, FL
Oysters and chowder take center stage in early October when the Destin Seafood Festival arrives in Okaloosa County. The ticketed festival allows attendees to sip craft beers while sampling various seafood items from local chefs and restaurants.
4. Dog Daze in Okaloosa County, FL
Presented by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Friendship Veterinary Hospital, Dog Daze is a festival at Landing Park with contests and vendors for the four-legged members of your family.
5. Emerald Coast Honor Games in Okaloosa County, FL
This is a world-class event in Destin that showcases the fitness of first responders, police officers, firefighters and military personnel. The competitive weekend is presented by well-known fitness companies like DEKA Fit and Spartan.
6. Festival of the Arts in Okaloosa County, FL
One of the Southeast’s premier juried art sales takes place in Destin for two days in late October. The free weekend at the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Cultural Arts Village includes live music, art workshops, street performers, food trucks, a KidZone and a beer and wine garden.
7. International Festival in Okaloosa County, FL
The International Festival arrives in Fort Walton Beach every March. Kick off the spring season with live and DJ music, ethnic foods, cultural entertainment and artworks from more than 60 nations.
8. Mardi Gras Parade and Downtown Throwdown in Okaloosa County, FL
Live music and a festival parade highlight this annual February extravaganza in Fort Walton Beach. The parade starts in the early afternoon with decorated floats passing by, then live music is played downtown until the evening.
9. Military Family Appreciation Day in Okaloosa County, FL
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts this special day to honor the service and sacrifices made by military families and veterans in the area. The mid-April event includes live music, a KidZone and complimentary lunches.
10. Musical Echoes Flute Festival in Okaloosa County, FL
Landing Park in Fort Walton Beach is where this annual festival is celebrated for three days in May. Famous flutists who often perform at Musical Echoes include Shelley Morningsong, Fabian Fontenelle, Jonny Lipford, Gareth Laffely, Billy Whitefox and Duck Green.
11. Paddle at the Park in Okaloosa County, FL
Fort Walton Beach hosts the annual Paddle at the Park in early May behind The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Stand-up paddleboarders participate in 1-mile, 3-mile and 6-mile recreational races in the Gulf of Mexico. Also scheduled is a kids out-and-back paddle.
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