Hello Halloween month! Yes, we are already drinking our pumpkin spice drinks, lighting our pumpkin spice candles, and decorating our homes with pumpkin everything. But did you know there are also a bunch of other family-friendly local activities happening this month?
Here are our favorite Destin 30A October events being offered for families in our area!
Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch – Fort Walton Beach
October 1-31
From their website: “Kick off autumn with the family at the annual pumpkin patch at Camp Helen State Park. Pumpkins will be sold daily through the end of the month or until they are sold out.” Plus, on Saturdays, there may be additional family-friendly activities like music, crafts, games, food and history & nature tours.
$4 per vehicle entry fee. Pumpkins range in price from $5-50.
The Village of BOOtowne Wharf – The Village of Baytowne Wharf
October 1-31
Visit the Haunted Courtyard or the Baytowne Adventure Zone’s Graveyard for a freaky good time.
Face Paint and Crafts with Uniquely Clever – The Big Chill
October 4
5-7pm
$7 glitter tattoos, $7 craft, $9 face paint, $14 combo
Frankenstein : A 3D Podcast – Seaside
October 5
7:30-8:30pm
From the website: Mary Shelley’s 1818 literary masterpiece, “Frankenstein,” undergoes an entirely new comedic interpretation as a live 21st-century podcast in this “hilarious and brilliant” new play from award-winning international playwrights and Escape 2 Create Alums, Nicholas Collett and Gavin Robertson, along with the talents of The REP’s very own Brook Stetler.
For over a century, the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his famous monster has inspired countless books, films, television programs, and even Broadway musicals! But never before has this story been told by just three actors playing all the characters while making their own sound effects in front of a live studio audience in a theatrical podcast event in 3D!
Tickets: $40 & $32 for REP Members
Movies On The Beach – Fort Walton Beach
October 5
Here’s a family-friendly way to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day this October. From their website: “Head down to Al’s Beach Club on the Boardwalk and join us in front of our giant inflatable movie screen right on the beach! Gather the whole gang, grab one of our delicious milkshakes and make magical memories with your loved ones under the star-lit sky, there’s no better way to celebrate springtime than at our spectacular Movies on the Beach seaside screening spot! In celebration of the upcoming National Holiday- INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY – Tonights Feature: “Pocahontas.”
Free.
DJ Dance Party – The Big Chill
October 6
6-9:30pm
15th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival
October 6-7
Friday 6-8pm, Saturday 2-5pm
Tickets required. American speciality brews from around the nation will be available to sample. Over 200 domestic and international craft beers as ell as live music.
Get tickets here: https://www.bigtickets.com/e/baytowne/baytownebeerfest23/
Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest – Panama City Beach
October 6-8
From their website: “Calling all ye mateys, fair maidens and swashbucklers of all ages to Panama City Beach for the annual Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest. This year’s free celebration sets sail October 6-8. Enjoy action-packed weekend of fireworks, live mermaid shows, a fire circus, parades, a treasure drop, and Cirque Adventure capping off our evenings each night. Travel back in time with our Renaissance addition, where gentry and squires alike can experience an enchanted marketplace complete with sword and whip demonstrations, pirates pub, live entertainment & more!”
Free.
SCOOBY DOO! Spooky Movie Night – Destin
October 6
From the Destin library website: “You are invited to the Destin Library after hours for a special movie night featuring SCOOBY DOO! CAMP SCARE (PG). Popcorn and Pizza will be provided during the film along with some spooky treats.”
Free and open to the public.
Sarah Lee Guthrie LIVE @TheRep Concert – Seaside
October 8
7:30-8:30pm
From the website: Sarah Lee Guthrie’s lineage is undeniable. But if you close your eyes and forget that her last name is synonymous with the river legacy of a widening current of American folk music, you’d still be drawn to the clarity and soul behind her voice. There is a gentle urgency to her interpretations of the songs she sings and the classic music of her heritage. It flows from the continuity of her family, her vital artistic life today, and the river of songs that have guided her to where she now stands. The Seaside Merchants generously sponsor the LIVE@TheREP Concert Series.
Tickets: $40 and $32 for REP Members
Family Movie Night featuring ‘Hotel Transylvania’ – The Big Chill
October 11
6-8pm
free
Your Bard – Seaside
October 12
7:30-8:30pm
From the website: Professor Nother is giving a talk about Shakespeare’s authorship in the function room at the Shakespeare pub – but he doesn’t believe the man from Stratford wrote those plays. That’s Will’s cue to kick the door off the hinges and defend his reputation. Come and meet the man himself and take the lid off a legend in your local. He’ll tell you all about his family, what it’s like on tour, and the glory days at the Globe. Queen Elizabeth I, Christopher Marlowe, and Ned Alleyn – you’ll meet them too. Intermingled with a few of his greatest hits – and maybe a sonnet or a song. There’s no fourth wall here – we’re all in this together!! Ladies and gentlemen raise your glasses – Your Bard!
Tickets: $40 and $32 for REP Members
Halloween Hike – Destin
October 18
From the Destin Library website: “Bring your pre-schooler to trick-or-treat through stations full of goodies galore. The event will take place on the Destin Library front lawn.” If you can’t make this event or have an older child, there’s also a costume story time event on October 24 for all ages!
Free.
Karaoke Night – The Big Chill
October 18
5:30-8:30pm
Free.
Bubbly Baytowne – Baytowne Wharf
October 19
5pm
An evening ful of free champagne and shopping. Check in by the fountain and get your free Baytowne Wharf glass and map of merchants to visit.
Free and for 21 and up only
City Open House – Destin
October 25
The city of Destin is hosting their annual open house event again this October. While they haven’t released all the details yet about it, this could be an interesting one of the many Destin 30A October events that also offers the chance for a local mini civics lesson for your kiddos as well. The theme this year is “music to our ears” and the event takes place at the Destin Community Center.
Check with the city for more details.
Family Game Night: Trivia – The Big Chill
October 25
6–8pm
Must have an electronic device to play.
Barktoberfest – Destin
October 26
This could be a fun one of the Destin30A October events to take the kiddos to for dog-watching. From the website: “Join our spooky costume doggie social, benefiting Dog-Harmony, for music, beer and light bites. The best dog costumes will be announced at 6:15PM. Please, no prong, shock, or choke collars.”
Free.
Planetarium Special Feature: Spooky Secrets Of The Stars – Fort Walton Beach
October 26
From the Emerald Coast Science Center website: “Come dressed in Halloween costumes, get your Trick-or-Treat candy, and prepare to be scared! We’re ready to celebrate Halloween under the night sky in our inflatable planetarium. Join us for a fun and scary night of monster stories, inspired by our planets, moons, and stars. There will be stories of familiar monsters (werewolves, vampires, and minotaurs), unfamiliar monsters (Karakondzula, Chimera, and Coatlicue), and the heroes who battled them. In a battle between good and evil, who will win?”
Non-museum members: $12 adults/seniors/kids. Children 2 and under are free. Free for museum members. Space is limited so advance ticket purchasing is recommended. Please arrive at least 10 minutes in advance. Preshow starts half an hour before show time. The 5 & 6pm shows are appropriate for ages 5-6 and up. The 7pm show is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Halloween Party at the Big Chill – Watersound
October 27
From their website: “Join us on Friday October 27th from 5-9:30pm for our annual Halloween celebration! Trick or treating through The Big Chill & The Shops next door from 5-6pm followed by a DJ Dance Party on stage! 5-6pm Trick or Treat. 5-7pm Pumpkin Crafts. 6-9:30pm DJ Dance Party w/ DJ Dan Davis.”
Free.
Splash Or Treat At GulfScarium – Fort Walton Beach
October 28-29
From the aquarium’s website: “Join us for Halloween festivities at GulfScarium! …The day will be full of scheduled trick-or-treating, scavenger hunts, and more! This event will follow regular park hours, 9am-4:30pm. More details to come.”
Free admission on these two days for all children ages 12 and under to attend this event. Limit 2 children per adult.
13th Annual Halloweerner Derby
October 28
10am-2pm
From the website:
The 2023 Halloweener Derby Will Take Place On Saturday, October 28th on the Lyceum Lawn! Costume contest follows championship race.
Click here to preregister your dachshund for this year’s race and your dog for the all-breeds costume contest! Please note all dogs will need to be checked in at the registration tent prior to competing in the derby or costume contest.
Boo By The Beach – Panama City Beach
October 31
From the Pier Park website: “Trick-or-Treating is better by the beach! On Halloween, from 4-7pm, boos and ghouls can go store-to-store collecting treats in an open air, family-friendly environment.” Also, Pier Park is collecting gently used child and adult costumes from October 2-27. Then on October 23-27, guests can browse the resulting costume bank for a complimentary costume (while supplies last).
Halloween on the BOOlevard – Destin
October 31
From the website: “Families are invited to trick-or-treat throughout the Town Center on Halloween where stores and restaurants will pass out candy and other treats to children. Dress up in your favorite costume and fill your bag in a safe pedestrian-friendly place.”
Free.
Trick or Treat – Seaside
October 31
From the Seaside website: “Join us in Seaside on Halloween from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an evening filled with Ghoulish Music, Scary Delicious Treats, and more! See you there!”
Free.
Trick or Treat Street – Baytowne Wharf
October 31
From the Sandestin website: “Calling all ghouls, ghosts, and goblins to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for a spooktacular extravaganza! This Halloween, trick or treat through the Village streets and visit merchants for your favorite treat. Steve Hall will play frightenly good tunes on the main stage, plus enjoy crafts and balloon animals. Be sure to stop by Coconut Kidz to enter the costume contest and compete to win the grand prize! End the night with a spooky fireworks display at 8 pm.”
Free.
Do you know of any family-friendly Destin30A October events that you think should be on this list? Please let us know in the comments!
