During the month of April, our vibrant community welcomes locals and visitors alike to enjoy a delightful array of events that celebrate the beauty of coastal living. From lively music festivals that resonate with the rhythm of the waves to wine and food festivals full of fun and goodwill, April promises an unforgettable blend of entertainment and relaxation against the backdrop of our pristine shores and emerald waters.
FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:
UNwineD
When: April 5th-6th
Where: Aaron Bessant Park
Description: UNwineD is an incredible two-day celebration of craft beer, spirits, and wine set to take place on April 5 & 6, 2024 at Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach. Savor the flavors of fine craft beer, award-winning wine, and delicious local cuisine pairings.
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit visitpanamacitybeach.com/unwined/
A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the Make-A-Wish, Heartland Animal Rescue and Beach Care Services charities.
Friday, April 5
Presented by Southern Living | 6:00PM
Get an exclusive preview of the UNwineD and raise a glass while you mix and mingle with mixologists and top tastemakers of the South. This one-of-a-kind night offers custom cocktails, live music, and more! Only 250 tickets are sold to the Kickoff Party and include admission to the entire weekend of events.
Saturday, April 6
The Celebration | 1 - 4PM
Wander from booth to booth while tasting the best craft beers, wine and spirits from around the world, and sampling delectable creations from leading chefs in the Northwest Florida area. Browse through Art & Vendor Row filled with local shops and boutiques, and be sure to also stop by the Southern Living tent for home decor, cookbooks, and more! Tickets are limited to this event.
Saturday, April 6
Concert in the Park | 4PM
Bring your lawn chair and blankets! Following the Grand Afternoon Tasting, join us for a concert in the park with live entertainment.
Bojamz Music Festival
When: Saturday, April 6th
Where: Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
Description: Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House announces their Annual BoJamz Music and Arts Festival benefitting The Wright Fight for Cystic Fibrosis on April 6, 2024. Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the beloved event, attendees can expect a huge crawfish boil, live music, silent auctions and of course, drink and food specials all day.
2024 Music Lineup Includes
Jason Byrd, Saltwater Revival, The New Cahoots, The Good Lookings, Continuum Reunion, Ben Loftin Band, Hotel Oscar Reunion, Dread Clampitt
Emerald Ball
When: Saturday, April 6th
Where: Hilton Sandestin
Description: The Sacred Heart Foundation is once again rolling out the green carpet for the Annual Emerald Ball on Saturday, April 6 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6pm. The black-tie gala will feature a seated dinner, live music and dancing.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit sacredheartemeraldball.com.
Guests are encouraged to wear shades of emerald for the elegant gala. The event also includes a wine and bourbon pull, a 360 photo booth, and incredible music by Mr. Big and the Rhythm Sisters.
Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. With more than 1,200 babies born prematurely in Walton and Okaloosa counties in the past three years, families depend on access to critical services close to home at the nationally-recognized Family Birth Place.
Kite Festival
When: April 6th-7th
Where: The Boardwalk Okaloosa Island
Description: Say hello to Spring at the Kitty Hawk Kite Festival. The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island will host this epic kite festival Saturday, April 6th & Sunday, April 7th from 10am-4pm. Join Kitty Hawk Kites and the Emerald Coast Kite Fliers Club for two days of FREE kite-flying fun.
In addition to experiencing the sight of 25-to-100-foot larger-than-life show kites of all sizes and shapes, this high-flying event features professional stunt kite flying, demonstrations and lessons, and a family fun fly that is perfect for kite enthusiasts of all ages.
Destin Food Truck Fest
When: Sunday, April 7
Where: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village
Description: Destin Food Truck Fest returns to the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin, FL on Sunday, April 7th. Starting at 11AM, the family-friendly event will feature several of the city’s finest food trucks, live entertainment, vendors, and a bounce house for the kiddos. Adult beverages will be available for purchase. No outside alcohol or pets allowed in this venue.
Destin Food Truck Fest
Sunday, April 7 | 11AM - 6PM
$5 Admission. Kids 12 and under are free
Bounce house wristbands to bounce all day: $5
37th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival
When: April 11th-14th
Where: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Description: The 37th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival at the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will take place April 11-14, 2024. Topping area polls as a must-experience event, this beloved festival offers four full days of unique events including wine dinners with celebrity chefs, yoga, live music, interactive experiences, culinary tents, and of course wine tastings.
Tickets, schedule and lodging info: sandestinwinefestival.com/
Wine novices are able to learn more about wines and sample from a comprehensive selection in all varieties, styles, and price ranges. Wine aficionados enjoy meeting winemakers, asking detailed questions, and acquiring hard to get selections. Everyone gets to enjoy the live music, interactive experiences at the Culinary tents, and shops and dining of the Village of Baytowne Wharf. THIS EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE!
2024 Sandestin Wine Festival Schedule
Thursday, April 11th, 6:30 - 8:30pm: Santa Margherita Wine Dinner
Friday, April 12th, 5 - 8pm: Grand Tasting
Saturday, April 13th, 9AM: Seas The Day | Yoga & Mimosas
Saturday, April 13th, 1 - 4pm: Grand Tasting
Sunday, April 14, 10am - 1pm: Farewell Brunch
Sandestin Wine Festival takes place every April in South Walton, Florida. The event is the most established and continuously running wine festival on the Gulf coast and known as the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals.” Always a picture perfect event complete with white tents, grand wine tastings, culinary experiences and live music. Visit sandestinwinefestival.com for more information.
“On Safari” with Big Tom
When: Saturday, April 13th
Where: EO Wilson Biophilia Center
Description: Join the Biophilia Center, in partnership with the Bay County Audubon Society, on April 13th for their presentation of “On Safari” with Big Tom. Doors will be open to the public from 9am to 2pm, featuring presentations at 10:30am and 11:30am. Don’t miss out on the excitement! Explore exhibit hall, hang out with Turtle Bob in the Reptile Room, check out food trucks, and have a blast.
Pay at the door. Admission: $10. Ages 4-12: $7.
Bio-Members get in FREE!
The E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center is a non-profit environmental education center located 6 miles west of 81 in Bruce and 4 miles east of 331 in Freeport on Hwy 20. Learn more about the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center and become a member: eowilsoncenter.org
30A Cornhole Tournament
When: Saturday, April 13th
Where: East Long Green Road at Rosemary Beach
Description: Rosemary Beach Foundation invites you to come out for a day of friendly competition at the 10th annual 30A Corn Hole Tournament on Saturday, April 13th in Rosemary Beach. Registration begins at 10AM featuring a round robin followed by single elimination format. The two-member team Corn Hole Tournament will be held on East Long Green. Players must be 21+ years of age. Matching theme attire is encouraged.
Tickets: cornhole30a.com. Consider bringing your team and/or sponsoring the event.
Held during Autism Awareness Month, the 2024 Tournament benefits Rosemary Beach Foundation and charitable partners, Special Olympics-Florida (Walton County), South Walton Academy and Westonwood Ranch.
Watersound Block Party
When: Saturday, April 13th
Where: Watersound Town Center
Description: Spend an afternoon outside exploring Watersound Town Center at the Watersound Block Party on Saturday, April 13th from 2-6pm. Enjoy live music, face painters, balloon artists, photo booth, lawn games, giveaways and more. This family-friendly event is free & open to the public. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Moon Crush: Pink Moon
When: April 18th-21st
Where: Seascape Resort
Description: Moon Crush will be held at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida Thursday, April 18 – Sunday, April 21 under The Pink full moon. Dawes, Marcus King, The Wood Brothers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and The Head and the Heart are among the acts on the lineup for the 2024 event.
Purchase tickets, learn more about Moon Crush, the lineup, your safety, and the experience here: topeka.live
Moon Crush is intentionally designed to be a Music Vacation - not just a festival. You can plan on spending days at the beach, by the pool, or enjoying your favorite activities with the people you care about most. Then, as the sun begins to set, you'll make your way to our intimate outdoor venue where you'll have a reserved space for an evening of live music.
Join the conversation on Moon Crush Facebook.
Earth Day Cleanup
When: April 20th
Where: Various Locations
Description: Help keep our beaches and parks beautiful! Earth Day Beach Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. The family-friendly event starts at 8AM. Free event t-shirts (limited quantity) will be provided. Enjoy a post-clean up participant breakfast at select locations.
Register Online: Earth Day Beach Cleanup. You must select your desired location.
Half Shell Vodka will be at Norriego Point (1 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, FL) supporting the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance as they host the 2024 Earth Day Beach Cleanup. They'll have clean up contests with fun prizes, free event t-shirts, and a free post clean up breakfast served at some of our favorite local restaurants.
Volunteers are asked to bring their own bucket, gloves, mesh bag, trash pickers, reusable water bottle, and sunscreen.
Cleanup Locations include:
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
The Crab Trap/James Lee Park
The Surf Hut
Norriego Point: Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and Half Shell Vodka will be at this location
Henderson Beach State Park
Breakfast locations include:
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
The Crab Trap, Destin
The Surf Hut, Miramar Beach
Participants at non-breakfast locations may enjoy breakfast at any of the restaurant locations once finished with their clean up.
Get into action this Earth Day! Join in the effort to remove billions of pieces of trash from neighborhoods, beaches, rivers, lakes, trails, and parks — reducing waste and plastic pollution, improving habitats, and preventing harm to wildlife and humans.
Barks & Blossoms
When: Sunday, April 21st
Where: Alaqua Animal Refuge
Description: Join Alaqua Animal Refuge for Barks & Blossoms, a day filled with tree planting, delicious food trucks, and local vendors as we honor Mother Earth on Sunday, April 21st from 11am - 3pm. Bring the kids for a fun scavenger hunt and craft activities, while Whiskers and Cream Cat Cafe serves up tasty coffees and smoothies.
This event is not just a celebration, but also a fundraiser for Alaqua's Capital Campaign, offering unique naming opportunities on trees, benches, bricks, and more!
Alaqua Animal Refuge believes that every abused, neglected and homeless animal deserves a second chance. The private, nonprofit animal sanctuary is committed to serving the Emerald Coast as the premier no-kill refuge, providing protection, shelter and care to animals in need. Learn more: alaqua.org
Seabreeze Jazz Festival
When: April 24th-28th
Where: Aaron Bessant Park at Pier Park
Description: Smooth jazz, white sands, and fun set for April 24 - 28, 2024 in beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida - The Ultimate Weekend of Smooth Jazz. Tickets and lineup for the 25th Seabreeze Jazz Festival: seabreezejazzfestival.com.
Named a "Top 10 Jazz Festival in the USA" by JazzIZ Magazine and nominated as "Best Jazz Festival" at the Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach combines the top national smooth jazz artists with a full weekend of fun, sun, great beaches, and good times - all on the west end of Panama City Beach. The event now attracts over 20,000 fans from the USA, Canada, and Europe for the ultimate performance-packed weekend of jazz.
Learn More:
seabreezejazzfestival.com
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
When: April 25th-28th
Where: Grand Boulevard Town Center
Description: A dazzling roster of celebrity winemakers, mixologists, and chefs will converge April 25-28, 2024 for the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival in Grand Boulevard Town Center to wine, dine, educate and entertain guests as part of the four-day celebration of wine, spirits, food, music, fun and goodwill.
Kick off the festival at the Winemakers and Shakers event on Thursday, April 25th from 5 - 7PM, held at Wine World in Destin. Join fellow wine-lovers as you mingle with some of the top wineries in the world and taste great wines.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SoWalWine.com.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
April 25, 5 - 7PM || Winemakers & Shakers
April 26, 4 - 6PM || VIP Wine Tasting
April 26, 5:30 - 8PM || Craft Beer & Spirits Jam
April 27, 3 - 6PM || Grand Tasting
April 28, 1 - 4PM || Grand Tasting
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival festival features a stunning showcase of some of the best wines in the world. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Willamette Valley Wineries Association will be featured in 2024 and more than a dozen of their noted winemakers and winery VIPs will participate in the festival. The Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars.

Concert Series @ 30Avenue
Nightly | 6:00-9PM
The Red Bar Jazz Band @ The Red Bar
Nightly | 5:30-9PM
Wine & Song @ NEAT
Tuesdays | 5-7PM
TUNESDAY @ Farm & Fire
Tuesdays | 5-8PM
Alys Shoppe Pop-Up @ Seascape Resort
Thursday: 3pm - 7pm | Friday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Coastal Country Concert Series @ HarborWalk Village
Fridays: 7pm-9pm
Brunch & Beats @ Farm & Fire
Every Saturday & Sunday | 11AM-3PM
Yoga in the Backyard of Love @ Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse
Every Sunday | 8AM
Brunch & Live Music @ FOOW30A
Every Sunday | 8AM
Brunch & Live Music @ Stinky's Fish Camp
Every Sunday | 10AM-3:30PM
Farmer's Markets
Every Tuesday @ Seaside
Every Thursday @ The Big Chill on 30A
Every Saturday @ Seaside, Grand Boulevard, Watersound & Baytowne Wharf
Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach, Baytowne Wharf & Hammock Bay
Last Sunday of the Month @ Destin Commons
Planning to be in town?
Let's Chat!
