Fall in Love with the Emerald Coast | Your 2025 Fall Guide
Emerald Coast FALL WITH THE
Your 2025 Fall Guide
Fall along the Emerald Coast is a season like no other. The crowds thin, the air turns crisp, and the community comes alive with festivals, concerts, and coastal adventures. From local restaurants serving up seasonal flavors to hidden trails perfect for exploring, autumn is one of the best times to experience all that our area has to offer. This guide is your go-to resource for fall events, dining, activities, and new spots to check out around town. We’ve also included a few favorite weekend trip ideas for when you’re craving a quick getaway. Whether you’re a longtime local, a frequent visitor, or simply dreaming of life on the coast, there’s something here for you. And if thoughts of making the Emerald Coast your home are on your mind, we’d love to help you explore the possibilities.
Fall EVENTS
Destin Songwriter Festival
October 10–11, 2025 | Destin Harbor
A coastal-songwriter festival across multiple Destin Harbor venues featuring acoustic to full-band sets by award-winning writers like James Otto, Kent Blazy, and Andy Griggs. VIP ticket holders enjoy premium seating, food & drink delivery, and scenic harbor views.
Baytowne Beer Festival
October 10–11, 2025 | Village of Baytowne Wharf
The 17th Annual Grand Tasting features 150+ brews, live music, and festival flair—perfect for craft beer lovers.
Sandestin Beer Festival & Launch Celebration
October 9–12, 2025 | Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
A four-day beer lover’s paradise with a beer dinner, live music, BBQ, tastings across resort venues, games, and fun competitions.
30th Annual Festival of the Arts
October 25, 2025 | Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
A celebration of art, music, food, and family set among outdoor tents in the MKAF Cultural Arts Village. Browse original works by 100+ juried artists, catch live music and artist demos, enjoy kids’ crafts and street performers, savor food truck fare and visit the beer & wine garden—all in a relaxed, festive setting.
City of Destin’s 25th Annual Fall Festival
October 27, 2025 | Destin Community Center
A foodie favorite: four days of wine tastings, gourmet bites, celebrity chef pop-ups, and lawn-party vibes. Great for couples and wine lovers.
Fall EVENTS
Boo Bash at Destin Commons
October 25-26, 2025 | Destin Commons
Celebrate Halloween weekend at Destin Commons with two days of family-friendly fun! Enjoy live entertainment, crafts, dancing, and plenty of sweet treats. Costumes encouraged, fun guaranteed!
Halloween on the Boolevard
October 31, 2025
A family-friendly Halloween stroll through Grand Boulevard, with merchants handing out candy, costumed fun, and safe trick-or-treating in a walkable town center. Free and open to all.
Emerald Coast Rodeo
November 7–8, 2025 | Northwest Florida State College
Two nights of rodeo thrills in Niceville featuring bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and the crowd-favorite Mutton Bustin’. Enjoy food trucks, open seating, and family-friendly fun.
Halfshells on the Harbor
November 12, 2025 | Harborwalk Village
This Tide to Table event features fresh oyster tastings as local chefs come together to showcase their spin on this coastal classic. From Raw to Rockefeller, enjoy a variety of preparations and flavors while sipping on spirits, craft beers, and wines.
Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights
November 22, 2025 | Village of Baytowne Wharf
An elegant kickoff to the holiday season with bubbly tastings, hors d’oeuvres, and festive light displays along the water.
Restaurant RECOMMENDATIONS
The Edge Seafood Restaurant & Skybar
Perched over Destin Harbor, The Edge Seafood Restaurant & SkyBar pairs fresh Gulf seafood with unbeatable waterfront views. Enjoy open-air dining downstairs or head upstairs to the SkyBar for cocktails, live music, and sunset vibes.
Bistrology
Open for breakfast and brunch, this new eatery has quickly become a local favorite. From classic scrambles and omelets to waffles and pancakes to specialty dishes and sandwiches and burgers, Bistrology’s large portions and homestyle cooking make this new offering a must try.
East Pass Coffee Co.
Located in the heart of old Destin, East Pass Coffee Co. is a locally owned all-day café serving craft coffee, fresh bites, and coastal charm. Gather with friends indoors or outside to enjoy good food, local brews, and plenty of Emerald Coast sunshine.
Burrito Del Sol
A local favorite with locations in Fort Walton Beach and Destin, Burrito del Sol serves up fresh, Baja-style tacos, burritos, and bowls packed with coastal flavor. With laid-back vibes, local art, and food made to order, it’s the kind of spot you visit once and end up craving weekly.
Restaurant RECOMMENDATIONS
Commelfó
Commelfó is a must-visit for anyone craving elevated cuisine in Destin/Miramar Beach. They serve fresh, thoughtful dishes made “properly” — think lobster ravioli, New Zealand lamb, artful cocktails — all in a beautifully designed space where service and ambiance matter as much as what’s on your plate.
The Craft Bar
The Craft Bar is a laid-back gastropub with locations in Miramar Beach, Destin, and the newest on Destin Harbor. Known for its craft cocktails, 30+ rotating beers, and specialty burgers, it’s where locals unwind and the menu keeps things interesting.
Domo Izakaya
Fonville Press Market Café, nestled in Alys Beach, offers a coastal-chic gathering spot where the community comes together. With a thoughtfully curated market, allday café and bar, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee, grab a bottle of wine, or savor a flatbread on the plaza.
Boathouse Oyster Bar
The Boathouse Oyster Bar in Destin is a waterfront favorite serving fresh oysters, seafood platters, and casual coastal fare. With live music, nautical decor, and a laid-back vibe, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the harbor atmosphere.
Local ADVENTURES
Explore Henderson Beach State Park
Explore Destin’s last genuine stretch of coastal dune scrub at Henderson Beach State Park. Enjoy scenic nature trails, picnic areas, and pristine white sand beaches ideal for a peaceful retreat.
Adventure at HarborWalk Village
HarborWalk Village offers ziplining, a rock climbing wall, water-walking balls, and bungee trampolines. It’s an exciting destination for thrill-seekers and families alike.
Family Fun at the Gulfarium
Marine Adventure Park
Situated on Okaloosa Island, the Gulfarium offers interactive exhibits and animal encounters, including opportunities to snorkel with stingrays. It’s a great spot for families to learn about marine life.
Deep Sea Fishing Adventures
Snorkel Cruise
Explore the vibrant underwater world of the Gulf of Mexico with AJ’s Water Adventures. Swim among colorful marine life and enjoy guided snorkeling trips perfect for beginners.
Join a fishing charter and experience deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you’re targeting amberjack, grouper, or red snapper, local charters offer trips tailored to all skill levels. Companies like Destin Inshore Charters and One Shot Charters provide both inshore and offshore options.
Stroll & Play at Baytowne Wharf
Located in Sandestin, Baytowne Wharf is a vibrant hub of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Enjoy live music, seasonal festivals, boutique shopping, and fun activities like carousel rides and ziplining for the whole family.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise
Enjoy a magical evening on the water with a sunset dolphin cruise departing from Destin Harbor.
Race at The Track
Race go-karts, challenge friends on mini-golf courses, and enjoy bumper rides and arcade games at this Destin favorite.
Weekend TripsNEARBY
Apalachicola & St. George Island, FL
3 hours east
Wander historic Apalachicola’s charming streets, enjoy fresh oysters straight from local waters, and browse unique shops. Then head over to St. George Island for serene beaches, state parks, and postcard-perfect sunsets. Bonus: stop by our St. George Island office and say hello to our friendly team!
Fairhope, AL
2 hours northwest
This artsy town on Mobile Bay is perfect for leisurely strolls along the pier, popping into local galleries, and sipping coffee at cozy cafés. Don’t miss the chance to pick up a handmade find at one of the boutiques.
Pensacola, FL
1.5 hours west
Mix a little history with your beach time—tour historic forts, check out the National Naval Aviation Museum, and soak up the sun on Pensacola’s sugar-white sand beaches. It’s a weekend that’s part culture, part coastal relaxation.
New Orleans, LA
4 hours west
Let the energy of the French Quarter sweep you off your feet—live jazz, beignets, and colorful streets await. Perfect for a long weekend filled with incredible food, music, and unforgettable experiences.
Jacksonville, FL
4.5 hours east
Explore Jacksonville’s vibrant riverfront, local breweries, and art districts, or spend the day relaxing on the beaches. It’s a fun mix of city culture and coastal charm for a memorable weekend escape.
Ways toWORK WITH US
Life along the Emerald Coast is all about the lifestyle, the community, and the experiences that come with home. If you’ve ever thought about owning a home here—whether as a full-time residence, a vacation getaway, or an investment property—we’d love to be your resource. We help buyers find the right fit, sellers showcase their home with standout marketing, and investors navigate opportunities with confidence. Wherever you are in the process, consider us your local guides to real estate on the Emerald Coast.
