Fall is my favorite time of year along the Emerald Coast. There are so many things to do in Destin and the weather is perfect! Well, unless there’s a hurricane. But typically the temperatures start to cool down, the Gulf is still warm enough for swimming, and we have gorgeous sunsets. You can still do all of your favorite beach and Destin activities, but after a long, hot summer it’s such a treat to have cooler weather and less people in town. Here are some of my favorite things to do during the fall.
Festivals
Some of the best annual festivals and events take place during the fall. From food and wine to art and fishing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The dates mentioned below are for Fall 2024.
- Harvest Wine & Food Festival. This four-day event (October 17 – 20) features wine dinners, a cocktail brunch, and more. The Grand Tasting is held at Cerulean Park in WaterColor and boasts wines from around the world and plenty of food stations manned by chefs from the best restaurants along the Emerald Coast.
- Destin Seafood Festival (September 27 – 29) takes place along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and features over 110 food and craft vendors. Admission is free, so you can walk around and enjoy the atmosphere and purchase items from various vendors. If you purchase a VIP ticket, you will have access to a smaller, more local section of the festival where attendees can sample items from local chefs/restaurants and drink local beers.
- Bloody Mary Festival will take place on Saturday, October 12 at The Market Shops. This fall fest features unlimited tastes of unique, hand-crafted Bloody Marys prepared and served by a variety of the area’s best local restaurants and bars.
- Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest on Saturday, October 12 features more than 200 domestic and international craft beers available for sampling. There is also a smaller, more intimate event on Friday, October 11 called Beer From Around Here, which showcases local breweries and bites from The Village restaurants.
- Festival of the Arts, produced by Mattie Kelly Art Foundation, is a celebration of art, food and family fun on October 26 and 27. Stroll the outdoor tents and browse original artwork by more than 100 artists from across the United States. Enjoy artist demos, live music, creative children’s activities, street performers, food truck fare, beer & wine garden and more. This event is free for attendees.
- Best of the Emerald Coast is a festival that celebrates the “Best of the Emerald Coast” winners as voted by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine. Categories range from cocktails and pasta to skincare and fashion, so there are a variety of samples and entertainment. This year it takes place on Thursday, October 10 at Grand Boulevard.
- The 24th Annual Mountainfilm on Tour returns to the WaterColor Marina Park Amphitheater November 1 and 2. This outdoor film festival features a collection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and enlightening documentary short films selected from the best-loved films from the annual festival in Telluride. They explore themes connected to the Mountainfilm mission of exploring cultures, preserving environments, and promoting adventure.
- Rosemary Beach Uncorked is Saturday, November 2 from 1pm to 4pm. Taste the very best of food and wine Rosemary Beach has to offer with featured restaurants, countless bottles ready for the pour, and live music.
- Seeing Red Wine Festival in Seaside is a fun-filled weekend (November 7 – 10) that celebrates the makers behind the bottles. The main event is the Grand Tasting on Saturday where Seaside’s Central Square comes to life as you sip and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts. Enjoy wines poured by winemakers and vintners from around the world paired with cuisine curated by local chefs, including those in Seaside.
Fishing Rodeo
The Destin Fishing Rodeo is the ultimate fishing tournament for salt water anglers of all ages. It runs from October 1 – October 31. Even if you aren’t into fishing, it’s fun to watch the daily weigh-ins. They are free and open to the public every day on the docks at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar from 10 am until 7 pm.
See the best sunsets
Fall offers some of the best sunsets! They seem to be extremely colorful and the sun is positioned perfectly to dip behind the water when it sets, whereas in the summer it sets further north. It’s the perfect time to take a sunset dolphin cruise, have a beach picnic, go for a shoreline stroll, or get your family photos taken!
Enjoy slightly less crowded restaurants
There are so many amazing restaurants in Destin (here is my full guide!), but they can get very crowded in the summer. Some of the most popular spots can have 3-hour waits on busy nights. Fall is when the crowds start to die down, so locals start returning to our favorite eateries! Keep your eyes out for seasonal dishes and drinks!
Halloween events & Decor
Sometimes it’s hard to get into the Halloween spirit (and fall in general) since it can still be hot and sunny, but there are a lot of festive events this time of year. Here is the full guide to Halloween activities, but these are a few favorites:
- McGuire’s Irish Pub hosts an annual Halloween 5K walk /run and 10K run where participants dress up and make their way through the streets of Destin.
- The Halloween Haunt at Destin Commons features trick-or-treating and Halloween-themed activities, such as face-painting, a whimsical photo booth, and mesmerizing chalk art displays.
- Spook Street at HarborWalk Village is a family-friendly event with crafts, trick or treating down the harbor, a spooky scavenger hunt, costume contest, dj dance party, and fireworks over the Destin Harbor.
Go for a hike
I use “hiking” loosely because there isn’t much elevation change around here, but if you want to explore nature and walk on quiet trails there are a lot of great spots closer to 30A. Point Washington State Forest boasts over 27 miles of tranquil paths filled with pine flatwoods, sandhills, and wetland areas. As you explore the easy-to-moderate trails you’ll likely encounter local wildlife, including wild deer and osprey. There are several trail systems depending on how many miles you prefer. Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park also have great trails.
Bike along 30A
The best way to get around 30A is by bike! The 18-mile Timpoochee Trail is a beautiful paved trail along Scenic Highway 30A that connects all of your favorite beach towns. Explore the charming Rosemary Beach, stunning white architecture in Alys Beach, the quaint streets of Seaside, and more. There are many places where you can rent normal or electric bikes.
Farmers markets
Both Destin and 30A boast several farmers markets. You’ll find a variety of vendors who provide everything from local produce and meats to artisan bread and local honey. Fall is the perfect time of year to stroll and find some unique goodies.
- Destin Community Farmers Market: Sundays from 9am to 2pm
- Destin Commons Market: Last Sunday of every month from 11am to 4:30pm
- Grand Boulevard Farmers Market: Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
- Seaside Farmers Market: Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
- 30A Farmers Market at Rosemary Beach: Sundays from 9am to 1pm
shop for fall fashions
Whether you need new clothes for the school year, family photos, or just because they’re too cute to resist, there are a lot of places to shop in Destin. You’ll find a mix of national brands and local boutiques at Destin Commons and Grand Boulevard. Silver Sands Premium Outlets features over 110 designer and name-brand outlets. A couple of my favorite locally owned shops are Pink and Blue Avenue for little ones, and Kiki Risa for trendy women’s styles.
Take family photos
Fall is a great time of year to take family photos! First of all, it’s not as hot and humid so frizzy hair and sweat won’t be an issue. The sunsets, as I mentioned above, are beautiful! Plus, the timing is perfect for Christmas cards. I’m a Destin photographer, so click here to learn more about my services if you’re interested in a session! I’d love to capture your family by the beach this fall.
