Thanksgiving lands on Thursday, November 26 this year, and there are few better places to spend it than Scenic Highway 30A. Picture a sunrise run along the Gulf, a turkey dinner someone else cooks, and an evening stroll under the first holiday lights of the season.
Late November is one of the coast's sweetest secrets. The summer crowds are long gone, the air is crisp in the morning and mild by afternoon, and the beach towns trade flip-flop season for twinkle lights. Here's how to make the most of the holiday week, from Rosemary Beach to Sandestin.
The fun starts the weekend before the holiday and builds to a string of tree lightings the Friday and Saturday after. Arrive early if you can.
Date | Event | Where | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
Sat, Nov 21 | Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights (tickets required) | Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin | 4–6 p.m. |
Sun, Nov 22 | The Nutcracker Ballet Act II by Ballet Pensacola (free) | Seaside Amphitheater | 5 p.m. |
Tue, Nov 24 | 30A 10K Official Shake Out Run | Idyll Hounds Brewery, Santa Rosa Beach | 5 p.m. |
Tue, Nov 24 | DJ Dance Party | The Big Chill, Watersound | 6–9:30 p.m. |
Wed, Nov 25 | 30A 10K packet pickup + live music | The Big Chill, Watersound | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. |
Fri, Nov 27 | Breakfast with Santa (first come, first served) | Fish Out of Water, WaterColor | 8 a.m.–noon |
Fri, Nov 27 | Alys in Winter Wonderland, tree lighting with Santa at 6:30 | Alys Beach Amphitheatre | 4–6:30 p.m. |
Fri, Nov 27 | The Polar Express outdoor movie (free) | Village of Baytowne Wharf | 6 p.m. |
Fri, Nov 27 | Central Square Cinema: The Grinch | Seaside | 7 p.m. |
Fri–Sat, Nov 27–28 | Beach Home for the Holidays: tree lighting, The Band Perry (Fri), fireworks | Aaron Bessant Park, Panama City Beach | from 3:30 p.m. |
Sat, Nov 28 | Grayt Jackalope 10 & 5 Miler | Grayton Beach State Park | 8 a.m. |
Sat, Nov 28 | Pictures with Santa | The Big Chill, Watersound | 9 a.m.–noon |
Sat, Nov 28 | Seaside Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town | Seaside | 3–8 p.m. |
Sat, Nov 28 | Old Florida Holiday Winter Market + tree lighting | WaterColor Town Center & Cerulean Park | 3–9 p.m. |
Sat, Nov 28 | Here Comes Santa Claus: tree lighting + fireworks | Village of Baytowne Wharf | 6 p.m. |
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the big one. Seaside's parade rolls down 30A, followed by a show from Emerald Coast Theatre Company, the Christmas tree lighting, and Santa photos. A few miles west, WaterColor's winter market brings local vendors and carriage rides. You can catch both if you start early.
The 30A 10K Thanksgiving Day Races celebrate their 15th year in Rosemary Beach on Thursday, November 26. It's a nonprofit race that raises money for local charities, and it has become a holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike.
Register ahead: there is no race-day packet pickup. Grab your packet at The Big Chill on Wednesday, November 25, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Afterward, the celebration moves to Barrett Square for awards and a post-race breakfast.
Heads up, drivers: 30A will be closed to traffic from 7 to 10:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning near Rosemary Beach. Plan around it if you're heading east for brunch.
Prefer pajamas and a porch? Edward's in Rosemary Beach offers a full Thanksgiving dinner to go. Order by 3 p.m. Sunday, November 22, and pick up Wednesday, November 25, between 2 and 5 p.m. Call 850-231-0550.
However you celebrate, 30A makes it easy to slow down and soak up the people around your table. Happy Thanksgiving from the beach!
Office 2048 West County Hwy 30A #107 Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459
Office 2048 West County Hwy 30A #107 Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459