The Emerald Coast features a fantastic collection of special events and festivals that proves fall is an even better time to pack your bags for Florida! During your stay at the Resorts of Pelican Beach - check out Destin's family-friendly fall events and festivals:

 

September

 

Visit the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village on September 12th, 19th, and 26th from 7pm to 9pm for a concert! On September 12th listen to the tribute band Rust & Gold to Neil Young and Crazy Horse, capturing the essence of Neil Young’s vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, and electric sound! Tickets are available at the door and are $15 per person, children 12 and under are free. On September 19th listen to Casey Kearney, known for playing slow heart-felt ballads to upbeat crowd favorites and playful melodies. Casey is a fresh take on the country music scene! Tickets are available at the door and are $15 per person, children 12 and under are free.

 

Get your blues shoes on and visit the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village September 26th for the Emerald Coast Blues Brothers will arrive in their authentic Bluesmobile and entertain listeners! Tickets are available at the door and are $15 per person, children 12 and under are free.

 

What do a 100-foot octopus, 80-foot panda, and a 50-foot gator have in common? They’ll all be flying high over the Fort Walton Beach Boardwalk on Saturday, September 21st and Sunday, September 22nd for the Kitty Hawk Kites Fall Kite Festival. Join Kitty Hawk Kites and the Emerald Coast Kite Flyers Club for two days of FREE kite flying fun. Enjoy larger-than-life show kites, professional stunt kite flying demonstrations, free kite flying lessons, and special activities at the Kitty Hawk Kites store on The Boardwalk.

 

October

 

In October, "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village" hosts the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo to celebrate Destin's rich fishing history. The Destin Fishing Rodeo is the ultimate fishing tournament for salt water anglers of all ages. The event runs October 1st to October 31st and is FREE to anglers who fish aboard boats registered in the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Get in on the action by clicking here to learn more!

 

Located right in the heart of the Destin Fishing Rodeo action, enjoy the 41st Annual Destin Seafood Festival on October 4-6, 2019 along the Harbor Boardwalk. More than just a seafood festival - this event is the perfect opportunity for visitors to discover the area's unique Gulf Coast cuisine and soak in the friendly culture of the Emerald Coast. With approximately sixty-thousand locals and visitors expected to attend the Destin Seafood Festival, you will not want to miss this Emerald Coast celebration!

 

The music doesn’t stop in Destin in October!

 

Visit the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village on October 3rd from 7pm to 9pm for a concert by Deja Vu! Deja Vu delivers a wide range of music from Motown, R&B and Classic Rock though today's best hits with finesse and energy that leave audiences wanting more! Tickets are available at the door and are $15 per person, children 12 and under are free.

 

On October 10th listen to the Forrest Williams Band at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. Perennial local favorites, the Forrest Williams Band will cover a variety of music, blending an acoustic guitar and harmonica as they take the stage for the concert series finale! Tickets are available at the door and are $15 per person, children 12 and under are free.

 

Beer enthusiasts should not miss the 11th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival! Enjoy the beautiful October weather and festive beer tastings on October 11-12th. The Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival is known as the “Best Beer Fest on the Emerald Coast”, featuring over 40 craft brewers, nearly 200 domestic and international craft beers, seminars, samples, and live music. This event is perfect for beer novices to the seasoned beer enthusiasts. For those with “finer” tastes, the Harvest Wine & Food Festival will be going on October 24th through the 26th. Featuring some of the world’s premier vintners, proprietors, and award winning chefs showcased throughout four exciting days of amazing food and wine that will surely delight your taste buds.

 

October on the Emerald Coast finishes strong with the Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts on October 26th and 27th. It is one of the Southeast’s premier art festivals, this two day signature event features art exhibits from nearly 200 total artists from 13 states showcasing a diverse palette of artistic styles in 22 different art mediums.

 

October Events Perfect for Families and Children

 

It’s going to be a frightfully fun time for the family on Halloween! Stop over at the Destin Commons for the Halloween Haunt on October 25th. This eerie event will be full of kid’s creepy crafts, fantasy face painting, trick-or-treating, and a costume contest. Get creative and bring the kids, dressed in their bewitching best for the costume contest. Come dressed to impress and you might win a hauntingly awesome assortment of prizes. After the contest, kids can go trick-or-treating in a safe and friendly environment at participating stores throughout Destin Commons.

 

Enjoy a fun day from 10:00am to 4:00pm on October 27th at the Heritage Museum for the Haunted Heritage Day Mini-Festival for Children & Families. Hosting a mini Halloween themed festival for children and families. Enjoy spooky stories, crafts and activities, contests, bake sale, games, and prizes!

 

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