Happy 2024! What better way to chase the post-holiday season blues away than with some more fun local events? And the month of January has its own cool roster of notable dates like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So we’ve curated this list of the most interesting and fun-sounding winter-themed local activities we could find. Check out our Destin January events round up below!
Family Bingo Nights @ The Big Chill
Every Saturday this month
My kids recently discovered the fun of playing bingo and absolutely cannot get enough! This is a perfect game to play as a family with kids of all ages. And now you can play it every Saturday in the month of January in the Big Chill’s covered and heated pavilion.
Free. 6-8pm. Must have at least one electronic device per family to play.
Discover Science Saturday – Fort Walton Beach
January 6
Last year’s January theme for this monthly event was Sir Isaac Newton whose birthday is January 7th. This year the theme is Powerful Polymers. From their website: “Learn about how polymers work while playing with kinetic sand and making your own fluffy putty. Stop by the sciPad to engineer more fun!”
Access to all activities included with general admission pricing. $12 adults, $10 seniors, $10 kids. Free admission for children 2 and under, and current Science Center members. Military discount available. This event happens the first Saturday of every month with a different theme/subject.
Winter Wonderland At The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Destin
January 6
Real snow in Florida? Yes, ma’am you read that right! From their website: “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Event Plaza is turning into a Winter Wonderland full of real snow! Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of frosty fun!” We hear there may even be an ice slide!
Free. From 9am-12pm.
Palafox Market – Pensacola
January 6 + 13
From their website: “Palafox Market South” will include a blend of familiar Palafox Market vendors, along with a new mix of local farmers, artists, and craftsmen and women, who will fill up Plaza Ferdinand on the corner of Palafox and Government Streets. Shoppers can navigate between the new market and the always-humming original located on north Palafox at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, every Saturday between 9am and 2pm. Hosted by the Downtown Improvement Board, Palafox Market opened in 2006 with about 25 farmers but has grown to weekly markets featuring painters, jewelry makers, glass blowers, bakers, floral designers, and other cottage entrepreneurs. There will be live music as well as the Winterfest mini-train for the kiddos!”
Free.
Preschool Storytime at the Destin Public Library – Destin
January 12
Celebrate the one year mark since the arrival of Children’s Librarian Sadie Lea and this storytime series at the Destin public library for preschoolers. From their website: “Children’s librarian Sadie leads preschoolers through a morning of stories, song and dance, movements, finger plays, and arts & crafts. This storytime will take place mostly on the floor. A limited number of floor cushions will be available to make caregivers comfortable, or you are welcome to bring your own from home.”
Free. For ages 3-5. From 10-11am. If you miss this one, they occur every Thursday of the month!
GEMS: Girls Empowered With Math & Science – Fort Walton Beach
January 13
From their website: “GEMS will learn the importance of an ecosystem and how to protect them during this workshop. Then they will make their own ecosystems that are able to sustain life. They will also become ecologists like Simona Kossak as they explore mammal behaviors and how they can impact a single ecosystem.”
This class requires registration of girls ages 8 to 15. You can register online or by calling the Fort Walton Beach Public Library. At the time of this writing, there were limited spots left, so don’t procrastinate in registering your aspiring female scientist!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Day & Parade – Miramar
January 15
From their event website: “A fun-filled day of food, music and a kids zone. Culminated with the annual parade around Sherman Circle in Dr. MLK Jr’s honor.”
Free. Parade starts at 10am with the celebration immediately following. Remember to bring your blanket and chairs. Register at the link above.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade – Fort Walton Beach
January 15
Okaloosa County presents a celebratory weekend of events honoring Dr. King Jr. and culminating in a community parade. From their website: “These events aim to celebrate Dr. King’s enduring legacy and foster a sense of unity within our community. We encourage everyone to participate and join us in honoring the values that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for.”
Free. The county kindly requests that everyone to park at Beulah First Baptist Church, and transportation will be provided to the starting line for the Parade.
Line Dancing – Panama City Beach
January 24
One of the many fun Destin January events includes an all ages line dancing event courtesy of the Bay County Public Library! So getcher cowboy boots on and mosey on down with your family for some line dancin’ at the library!
Free. 10am.
So many great ideas for fun and family-friendly ways to spend this first month of 2024. We hope you have fun this month at these nearby Destin January events!
