The kids are going back to school and mamas are ready to get back into the school year routine. We’ve pulled together some ideas on ways you can stay connected to community, relax, have fun, and explore our incredible part of the world.
August 7-14 Events
Grand Boulevard: Lawn Games in Grand Park
Daily | 4 – 8 PM
From the website: Grand Boulevard invites you to bring the entire family out to enjoy some fun in the sun! Lawn Games will take over Grand Park from 4 – 8PM daily through Sept 3rd, including live entertainment and Tommy Bahama Bar. Grab some food and drinks from one of the many restaurants in Grand Boulevard before you settle in to a fun round of corn hole, giant lawn chess, checkers and more.
Huck & Lilly | Seaside
August 8, 2023 at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Central Square Cinema | Seaside
Friday, August 11, 2023 at 8:00pm – 9:30pm
August 4: Moana
August 11: The Bad Guys
August 18: Sonic The Hedgehog
August 25: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Wild Sea Turtle Wednesdays at The Big Chill 30A
May 31st – August 16th | 9AM – 11AM
From the website: Join South Walton Turtle Watch on Wednesday mornings for “Wild Sea Turtle Wednesday” at The Big Chill 30A from 9AM – 11AM. Learn about sea turtles, paint, adopt a hatchling and take the Jr. Ocean Ranger pledge to help keep our beaches clean, dark and flat for nesting sea turtles and baby hatchlings. The event is free and open to the public.
Moms & Mimosas Back to School Celebration at AJ’s Grayton Beach
From the website: Grab your fellow survivors and join AJ’s for their traditional Moms & Mimosas Back to School Celebration on Thursday, August 10th at 10AM! Have adult conversations while you enjoy bottomless mimosas during lunch, giveaways, DJ Charles and potentially a tv or 2 playing the “ Bad Moms “ movie.
Emerald Coast Storytellers Open Mic | Raw & Juicy
August 10 at 5pm
From the website: Join Emerald Coast Storytellers for a night of storytelling, community and connection. ECS Open Mic will take place Thursday, August 10 at Raw & Juicy. Doors open at 5PM and stories will begin at 6PM sharp. The theme for this evening will be: OVERCOMING THE ODDS and the Featured Storyteller will be Nadine Kenney Johnstone.
For those interested in taking the mic, email [email protected] to be considered for a reading spot and include your name, genre, a little bit about yourself, and what you plan to present.
Seaside Farmer’s Market
Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sounds of Seaside
Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 3:00pm – 6:00pm
August 12: The Wavy Winstons
August 19: The Wavy Winstons
August 26: The Wavy Winstons
Yoga in the Backyard of Love at Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse
August 11 from 8-9am
Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse is hosting Yoga in the Backyard of Love on Fridays at 8AM. Local yoga instructors lead this donation-based flow that is open to the public. Enjoy breakfast, tea, coffee, smoothies, and more for purchase from the cafe after class. All-levels welcome!
BYO mat and props. Mats available for borrow on request. This event is shaded by trees but outdoors, so we suggest bringing water, sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, etc as desired.
ECS After-Hours Writing Workshop | Seaside Assembly Hall
August 11 from 6-9pm
From the website: Join Emerald Coast Storytellers on on Friday, August 11th for a free Writing Workshop in the Seaside Assembly Hall. Leading the After-Hours Writing Workshop will be TWO Texas Poet Laureates: Karla K. Morton and Alan Birkelbach. The evening will begin with cocktail hour starting at 6 PM, with the event running from 7-9 PM. Wine and light bites will be available.
Come armed with your pens, journals, and laptop! Be ready to be inspired by their prize-winning writing and story of their four-year long journey across America before launching into a writing prompt.
Register in advance & learn more:
After-Hours Writing Workshop with Texas Poet Laureates: Karla K. Morton and Alan Birkelbach
Celebrated poet, speaker, author and storyteller Karla K. Morton, 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate and esteemed alumnus of Seaside’s “E2C” residency, and 2005 Texas Poet Laureate Alan Birkelbach will read a selection of poems from their awarded book The National Parks: A Century of Grace.
Tell your story. Tell lots of stories. Consider this your stage. emeraldcoaststorytellers.com
DeFuniak Springs Farmers Market
August 12 from 8am-1pm
From the website: Hosted weekly the Main Street Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 8:00AM to 1:00PM. Vendors will be setup on Baldwin Avenue between S. 7th St. and S. 8th St. Shoppers are invited to stroll the street while browsing local farmers, makers, and bakers.
You’re sure to fill those re-usable bags with something for the whole family. Shop fresh produce, homemade jellies, baked goods, preserves, oils & herbs, local honey, homemade soups & pickles. You can even take home some photography art, body scrub, custom hand-crafted jewelry and more.
FOOW Sunday Brunch & Live Music
August 18 from 8am-2pm
From the website: Sunday Brunch at FOOW – Fish Out of Water in WaterColor, FL means live music and bottomless mimosas. The Gulf front restaurant invites you to dine on brunch favorites from 8AM – 2PM paired with live music from 11AM – 2PM.
Sunday Brunch | 8AM – 2PM
August LIVE MUSIC | 11AM – 1PM
August 6: Joey Shaling
August 13: Weston Hines
August 20: Kyle Lamonica
August 27: Stevie Monce
Watersound Origins Blood Drive
August 14 from 11am-2pm
From the website: Watersound Origins will host a Blood Drive on Monday, August 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The OneBlood Big Red Bus® will be parked at the Watersound Origins Community Center. Photo ID is required.
Register in advance at: https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1321728
All donors will receive a free a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening. ID is required. In addition to a few other goodies, each donor will have access to their antibody test within 48 to 72 hours.
August 14-21 Events
Wine & Song at NEAT
August 15 from 6-9pm
From the website: Join NEAT in Alys Beach for Wine & Song every Tuesday from 6 – 8PM. Enjoy 4 wines for $30 per person or choose a bottle from the Uncorked wine list and enjoy it with your small plate and shareables from open to close. Wines will be posted every Tuesday on Facebook & Instagram.
Wild Sea Turtle Wednesdays at The Big Chill 30A
May 31st – August 16th | 9AM – 11AM
From the website: Join South Walton Turtle Watch on Wednesday mornings for “Wild Sea Turtle Wednesday” at The Big Chill 30A from 9AM – 11AM. Learn about sea turtles, paint, adopt a hatchling and take the Jr. Ocean Ranger pledge to help keep our beaches clean, dark and flat for nesting sea turtles and baby hatchlings. The event is free and open to the public.
Huck & Lilly @ Seaside Amphitheater
August 17 6pm
From the website: Huck & Lilly will perform LIVE in the Seaside Amphitheater Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00PM. Bring a chair or blanket, snacks and drinks, and enjoy the show. Free and open to all ages.
Singer/songwriters Ken Johnson and Andi Zack-Johnson as Huck and Lilly specialize in music for kids AND the grown ups who love them!
Yoga in the Backyard of Love at Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse
August 18 from 8-9am
Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse is hosting Yoga in the Backyard of Love on Fridays at 8AM. Local yoga instructors lead this donation-based flow that is open to the public. Enjoy breakfast, tea, coffee, smoothies, and more for purchase from the cafe after class. All-levels welcome!
BYO mat and props. Mats available for borrow on request. This event is shaded by trees but outdoors, so we suggest bringing water, sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, etc as desired.
Spend your morning in the Point Washington State Forest! The 5th annual Freedom Run, benefitting Operation Outdoor Freedom, will take place Saturday, August 19th. The event begins at the Eastern Lake Trail located in Santa Rosa Beach off of 395 South.
Learn more & register at:
outdoorfreedomrun.redpodium.com/operation-outdoor-freedom-runwalk
5th Annual Freedom Run
Saturday, August 19th (Rain or Shine)
11 Mile Start Time || 7:30AM
6 Mile Start Time || 7:45AM
3.5 Mile Start Time || 8AM
All proceeds benefit Operation Outdoor Freedom to help fund efforts with providing hunts, fishing trips, and special family trips to our area for Florida Wounded Veterans who have a rating of service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater from the U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs or a Purple Heart recipient.
Black Creek Music Festival
August 19 from 12-10pm
From the website: Southern Sound Music Alliance presents Black Creek Music Festival on Friday, August 18th – Sunday, August 20th at The Outpost on Black Creek in Freeport, FL. Rock out with local & regional musicians at this three-day event while enjoying food trucks, craft vendors and more! Proceeds from the festival will benefit Habitat for Humanity and Alaqua Animal Rescue.
Purchase Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-creek-music-festival-tickets
Boat slips are also available, with a select few being offered as a weekend rental with a VIP ticket. Let’s Meet at the Creek! Event is rain or shine.
Friday, August 18th, 6 – 10PM | Kickoff Party
This event is open to the public.
Artists Lineup: Tanglewood & Deltaphonic
Saturday, August 19th, NOON – 10PM | Festival Day
Ticketed event with general admission and VIP tickets available.
Artist Lineup: Mike Whitty Trio, Josh Zook Duo, Dion Jones & The Neon Tears, Big Phun, 12Eleven, Cadillac Willy, Boukou Groove, and Tim Jackson’s Storyteller’s Tour
Sunday, August 20th, 11AM – 4PM | Festival Day
Family Day – Adult tickets are only $10 and all kids are free!
Artist Lineup: Jeff Silvey Gospel Hour, Chris Alvarado, and the Southdown Souls
August 21-31 Events
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: Guided Plant Stroll
August 21 from 9-11am
From the website: Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Master Gardener Bill Kuenstler on the third Monday each month from 9:00a.m. – 11:00a.m for a Guided Plant Stroll. The stroll begins at Tram Stop #2 . This program is free with regular park admission.
Park programs are made possible by Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. For more information about the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, please visit: www.topsailparkfriends.org or email [email protected].
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, located on the west side of Scenic 30A in South Walton, offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. To learn more about the park, please visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill.
Kith + Kin Bubbles & Brews: Brunch & Music Series
August 22 from 10am-2pm
From the website: Join Kith + Kin Coffee for Bubbles & Brews a brunch and music series beginning May 30th. Presented by Southern Sound Music Alliance, the series will take place every other Tuesday at Kith + Kin, May 30th – September 19. Featuring a food truck from 10AM – 2PM and live music from 11AM – 1PM, enjoy fabulous brews, pastries, Palm Folly on tap, beer, or mimosas!
Bubble & Brews at Kith + Kin
Tuesdays, May 30th – September 19th
Food Truck: 10AM – 2PM || Live Music: 11AM – 1PM
Music Lineup
May 30th: Duck Phat
June 13th: Dion Jones
June 27: Boukou Groove duo
July 11: Jared Herzog
July 25: Josh Zook duo
August 8: Ken & Andi Johnson
August 22: Westin T. Hine
September 5: Jeff Silvey duo
September 19: Shawn Hartung & Scott Rockwood
Located on the west end of 30A near the entrance to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Kith + Kin Coffee was founded on a love of coffee, a passion for adventure, and a heart for community. kithandkin30a.com
Grand Boulevard: Lawn Games in Grand Park
August 23 from 4-8pm
Daily | 4 – 8 PM
From the website: Grand Boulevard invites you to bring the entire family out to enjoy some fun in the sun! Lawn Games will take over Grand Park from 4 – 8PM daily through Sept 3rd, including live entertainment and Tommy Bahama Bar. Grab some food and drinks from one of the many restaurants in Grand Boulevard before you settle in to a fun round of corn hole, giant lawn chess, checkers and more.
CCA Kids Fishing Tournament in Grayton Beach
August 26 from 12-4pm
From the website: The annual CCA South Walton Kids Fishing Tournament takes place on Saturday, August 26th at Grayton Beach, Florida. Sponsored by the Coastal Conversation Association Florida, the fun begins at 12:00 p.m.
Online pre-registration is REQUIRED this year. There will be no walk-ups allowed. Registration is limited to the first 200 kids, ages 2-14. Kids receive a rod&reel combo, tshirt, lunch, bait, and instruction!
CCA Florida is a statewide, non-profit marine organization working in an advocacy role to protect the state’s marine resources and interests of saltwater anglers. Follow Coastal Conservation of Florida on Facebook for updates on events.
Destin Commons Farmers Market
August 27 from 11am-4pm
From the website: Every month at The Destin Commons Market, enjoy an open-air farmers market experience where you can discover the area’s best locally made goods. Shop fresh produce, locally-grown flowers and plants, delicious baked goods and vegan treats, a vast selection of handmade artisan products and much more at Center Plaza, located in front of the AMC theatre.
More info here:
https://destincommons.com/artisan-market/
