Oktoberfest!
Sat., Oct. 5th | 3rd Planet Brewing | Noon | Niceville
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 13527, Oktoberfest will be held at 3rd Planet Brewing from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5th in Niceville. The Knights will be serving freshly grilled Brats with sides of sauerkraut and potato salad, or hot dogs to enjoy along with more than 20 of 3rd Planet’s locally brewed beers on tap, soft drinks and savory desserts. Authentic German music will be provided by the band “Tall Cotton” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All funds raised support local charities such as the Twin Cities Pavilion, Niceville Catholic Outreach Food Bank, Special Olympics, Emerald Coast Autism Center, ARC of the Emerald Coast, Children in Crisis and many more. Contact Joe Purka, jwpurka@gmail.com, 850.974.1491.
Lightwire Theatre’s Dino Light!
Oct. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
Join Bay Life Oct. 5 for Northwest Florida Ballet’s kickoff to its 2024-2025 season with Lightwire Theater’s Dino Light, 7:30 p.m., sponsored by Grand Boulevard’s Coastal Culture Art, Entertainment and Events at Grand Boulevard in North Park. Free and open to the public, this original story features a famous scientist with magic powers who brings a friendly dinosaur to life. Dino Light is brought to you by Season Production Sponsor, the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, and Season Signature Sponsors, Life Media and NFB’s Official Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Provider, NFBJS Foot & Ankle Surgeon Dr. Sonya Ahmed. Season subscriptions on sale now. Visit https://www.nfballet.org/dino-light to learn more.
Blue Dog & Bourbon on the Bayou
Friday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. | Churchill Oaks | Santa Rosa Beach
Step into the magical world of artist George Rodrigue’s “Loup-garou,” or Blue Dog, at Blue Dog & Bourbon on the Bayou hosted by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF). This special Artful Dining fundraising event, presented by Churchill Oaks and NTS Interiors by Marisol Gullo Interiors, will be held in the club house at Churchill Oaks in Santa Rosa Beach on Friday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. A limited number of seats are available for this intimate evening. Tickets are $295 per person. MKAF members save $20. Not yet a member? Go to MKAF.org to select an annual membership starting from just $75 per person. Proceeds benefit MKAF and its ArtsReach initiatives serving local K-12 students, individuals with disabilities and active-duty military and veterans throughout Northwest Florida and the Southeast.
Legacy Five Concert for Caring & Sharing
Oct. 11 | 7 p.m. | Good News Church
Tickets are now on sale for Legacy Five, a Dove award-winning Southern Gospel group performing on Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. at Good News Church. This very special concert will benefit Caring & Sharing of South Walton and is graciously sponsored by The Crawford Family.
Tickets $15; doors open at 6:30 p.m. for general admission. VIP tickets $100 and include preferred seating plus a Meet and Greet at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders. Tickets: https://legacyfive2025.eventbrite.com.
Baytowne Beer Fest
Fri., Oct. 11 – Sat., Oct. 12
The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin presents the 14th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest Oct. 6-7. American specialty beers from around the nation will be available for participants to sample and savor.
Friday, Oct. 11 | Beer From Around Here | 6-8 p.m. | Baytowne Wharf Events Plaza
Local breweries feature their products and restaurants in The Village showcase their best dishes Live music by Duchess from 6-8 p.m. $65 general admission for Friday 6-8 p.m. only.
Saturday, Oct. 12 | Grand Craft Beer Tasting | 2-5 p.m. | Baytowne Wharf Events Plaza
More than 200 domestic and international craft beers will be available for sampling. Live music by Below Alabama from 2-5 p.m. Tickets: $50 Grand Tasting event only.
VIP Grand Craft Beer Tasting | $90 general admission; 2-Day Ticket: $110 general admission for Friday and Saturday. Tickets include admission to Friday Night’s Beer From Around Here Event from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday’s Grand Tasting Event 2-5 p.m.
For tickets, a lineup of beers and additional information, visit baytownebeerfestival.com.
Bloody Mary Festival
Oct. 12 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | The Market Shops at Sandestin
Local bars and restaurants will be serving the finest Bloodys on the Emerald Coast, made with Distillery 98 Dune Laker Vodka. Along with plenty of delicious drinks, there will also be live music by Catalyst, football, cold beer, local food from merchants, shopping and so much more! Tickets $60 in advance; $75 at the door.
7th Annual Niceville Strong
Sun., Oct. 13 | 6 p.m. | Niceville High School (NHS) auditorium
Former Auburn linebacker and Auburn Football Chaplain Rev. Chette Williams will headline the annual community prayer rally, Niceville Strong, designed to unite the local community in the fight against addiction, mental health issues and violence, Sunday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Niceville High School (NHS) auditorium for an evening of music, prayer and testimonies from local pastors, families and students.
In 2023, drug overdoses accounted for more than 107,500 deaths—representing the 4th year in a row where overdose deaths exceeded 100,000 across the U.S. In Florida alone, overdose deaths took 7,769 lives in 2022, and the suicide rate remains higher than the national average.
Niceville Strong is free and open to the public. Local resource groups—and light refreshments—will be available in the NHS gymnasium at 5 p.m.
DCWAF 8th Annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival
Oct. 17-20 | Grand Tasting – Cerulean Park – WaterColor | Santa Rosa Beach
Step into a world of culinary delight at the Harvest Wine & Food Festival, an annual event hosted in WaterColor by the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), October 17-20. This four-day celebration features an array of exquisite wine dinners, the renowned Grand Tasting, a delightful cocktail brunch, and much more. For tickets, visit dcwaf.org.
“History Sandwiched In”
Friday, October 18 | Noon | Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
Learn about the history of women in the Military with guest speaker Dr. E. S. Chiccarelli, USAFR (retired). Having done extensive research, Dr. Chiccarelli’s “Story Boards” have been exhibited locally around town. Snacks will be provided or bring a bag lunch.
Please RSVP to 850-678-2615.
Niceville Bazaar!
Oct. 19 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival Grounds
Join Freedom Life Compass, Inc., for its 3rd annual Niceville Bazaar! Last year, more than 7,000 attended this FREE event with over 200 vendors from throughout the Gulf Coast! Vendors will offer an assortment of goods to fulfill your family’s needs and prepare for the holiday buying season! There will be over 20 food trucks providing refreshments and food and the event supports local mission projects in our community. Local non-profit Freedom Life Compass, Inc., sponsors the event with 30 additional, non-profit booths to explore and learn about the missions in our community! You can support local businesses and local non-profit organizations in our community by attending and engaging with others in our community and get your Christmas shopping done early, too!
Trunk or Treat
Hammock Bay
October 19 | 4-8 p.m. | 1871 Great Hammock Bend | Freeport
Stroll Hammock Bay and The Windmills are teaming up for this year’s free Trunk or Treat. Bring your best costume and coolest decor and, of course, candy! For more information, email cblackerby@absolutecamservices.com or fill out the form at the link below to sign up. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchbmfWp6zbB4FHOAXUrjQhyMu2gs-B-yz0LWK2cxuSRTxX7A/viewform?usp=sf_link
Arty Kick Off Party | Festival of the Arts
October 25 | 6 PM | Henderson Beach Resort | Piazza Plaza | Destin
This year’s 29th annual celebration of art, food, music and family fun begins on Friday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. with the Arty Kick Off Party on the Piazza Plaza Henderson Beach Resort. Mix and mingle with Festival artists, watch award-winning featured guest artist Melanie Moore paint live, view enjoy live music by Coconut Radio, light bites, creative cocktail by Black Sheep Tequila and cash bar. $50 per person (includes two drink tickets for cash bar); MKAF members save 10%. Proceeds benefit MKAF and its ArtsReach community outreach education initiatives.
29th Annual Festival of the Arts
October 26 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — October 27 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
MKAF Cultural Arts Village | Destin
The Festival of the Arts, produced by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, is a celebration of art, music, food and family fun. Head to the Cultural Arts Village in Destin Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to browse original artwork by more than 100 premier artists from across the U.S. (and Europe!). Watch live artist demos, hear live music, enter the art drawing, purchase souvenir Festival merchandise, enjoy hands-on creative children’s activities, street performers, snap a keepsake “masterpiece” photo, savor food truck fare, sip beer, wine, Bloody Mary’s and more. Join in the festivities by casting your vote for the People’s Choice Award (Saturday). FREE admission. Proceeds benefit MKAF and its ArtsReach community outreach education initiatives.
Eggs on the Beach!
Nov. 2 | 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Seascape Towne Centre
Eggs on the Beach is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Nov. 2, and is partnering with two well-known brands—Tony Chachere’s Seasonings and Angel’s Envy—to enhance the cooking competition. Presented by Bay Breeze Patio, the beloved annual event will include more categories for cook teams to compete in, and more opportunities for tasters to sample delicious bites and beverages. Held at Seascape Towne Center in Miramar Beach, cook teams will be smoking, grilling and baking their favorite dishes on the Big Green Egg while tasters sample the delicious bites and vote for their favorites, while supporting two local causes—Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Food for Thought. Taster tickets: $50 in advance; $60 day of. Visit www.EggsontheBeach.com.
