Christmas events 2023 in Okaloosa County: Your local guide to holiday fun
Editor's note: Organizers have changed the date of the Niceville/Valparaiso Christmas Parade to Dec. 9. A different date was originally published.
Navarre Park Christmas Tree Lighting
The event will be at 4:45 p.m. Nov. 24 at Navarre Park, 8513 Navarre Parkway. Hot cocoa, candy canes, Christmas carols and tree lighting.
Light Up The Night
This event will begin at 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Fort Walton Beach Landing, 139 Brooks St. SE, Fort Walton Beach. Tree lighting, live Christmas music, a visit from Santa and a message from Mayor Dick Rynearson. The tree lighting will be at 5:30 p.m. sharp.
City of Destin Christmas Tree Lighting
The city of Destin’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at the Destin Community Center at 6 p.m. Nov. 30. Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, Destin Elementary School Chorus.
Merry Market
This event will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Navarre Park, 8513 Navarre Parkway. Local artists, crafters and retail businesses.
Niceville/Valparaiso Christmas Parade
Editor's note: Organizers have changed the date of this parade to Dec. 9. A different date was originally published. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Palm Boulevard and East John Sims Parkway. Sponsored by the Niceville-Valparaiso Rotary Club. Grand marshal is Niceville native/country music star Hunter Phelps Theme is "Create Hope in the World."
City of Mary Esther Tree Lighting Ceremony
This event will be 4-6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Mary Esther Library, 100 Hollywood Blvd. West. Food, activities and more. Tree lighting at 6.
City of Crestview Christmas Parade
The parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 downtown. Tree lighting is at 5 p.m. Theme: "Santa's Workshop."
Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade
The parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 on Eglin Parkway (It starts at First Street SE and ends at Hughes Street NE.) This year's theme is “That's What Christmas Means To Me!”
Fourth annual Winter Wonderland
This event, sponsored by the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, will be held 6-9 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. Winter Wonderland village of Christmas houses, bounce houses, GellyBall Shooting Gallery, Santa and the Grinch.
Destin Christmas Parade
The 39th annual Destin Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Christmas Vacation.” Parade lineup at Destin Methodist Church on Beach Drive.
5th annual Niceville/Valparaiso Rotary Club Christmas Parade
This parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17, beginning and ending at Safe Harbor Emerald Coast and Emerald Coast Marine. After party at The Locals Rollin' Eatery and Safe Harbor Emerald Coast.
1st Special Operations Wing Winter Wonderland
Open to guests with base access, join the 1st SOW at Hurlburt Field for their annual winter wonderland celebration. Guests are invited to enjoy hot cocoa, train rides and craft making at Santa's Workshop. Rounding out the event will be a tree lighting ceremony and remarks from 1st SOW commander Col. Allison Black. The event is Dec. 1 from 4-6:30 p.m.
Shalimar Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The 5th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Dec. 2. Attendees can enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and sandwiches. Also in attendance will be the Choctaw Jazz Band and Mrs. Patty Monroe's face painting booth makes its return. The celebration begins at 5 p.m. with the countdown beginning at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Shalimar Town Hall, located at #2 Cherokee Rd.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Christmas events 2023: What's scheduled in Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County?
