Early New Year’s Eve fireworks for kids in Miramar Beach: Baytowne’s 8 p.m. show

The earliest New Year’s Eve fireworks confirmed so far in South Walton are at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, Miramar Beach, per the Baytowne NYE Countdown event page. The evening opens at 6 p.m. with family activities, and a second show goes off at midnight.

For parents of small children, that 8 p.m. show is the main draw: it lets kids see real fireworks over the water and still get to bed at a normal hour.

What is planned at Baytowne Wharf on New Year’s Eve?

The organizer lists the Baytowne NYE Countdown from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2026. This is the schedule posted as of Nov. 2, 2026:

The event page lists face painting and kids’ activities for the family evening. Live music starts at 7 p.m. After 10 p.m., the village is 21 and over unless a guest is with a guardian.

The page does not list ticket prices or parking details yet. Our New Year’s Eve guide will add them when the organizer posts them.

Is there an early show on 30A?

Seaside held its New Year’s Eve Celebration in Central Square on Dec. 31, 2025, from 4 to 9 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m., per Seaside’s 2025 event page. The afternoon included crafts, face painting and balloons.

Seaside has not posted a 2026 date as of Nov. 2, 2026. If it follows the same format, it would be the second early option for families on 30A. We will add it to the guide only when Seaside publishes the new date.

How do the two early options compare?

What else is planned for families on the Emerald Coast?

In Panama City Beach, the 2026 top events card from Visit Panama City Beach lists a New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park on Dec. 31, 2026. The card does not give a time and does not mention fireworks, so families planning around bedtime should wait for the official schedule before they make the drive.

Our New Year’s Eve guide marks every show that has a family or early time, and it updates as organizers post details.

What does the 21+ rule at Baytowne mean for families?

Families can stay for the whole evening. The organizer’s rule is that guests under 21 need to be with a guardian after 10 p.m. Teens who want to stay for the midnight show can, as long as a parent or guardian is with them.

Can I bring my own fireworks to the beach instead?

No. Walton County bans fireworks on every beach, dune and county beach access, with civil fines of up to $500, under its Waterways and Beach Activities Ordinance. Florida law allows consumer fireworks on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 under Fla. Stat. 791.08, but only where local rules allow them, which in South Walton means private property away from the sand.

How can I make an early show easier on small kids?

• Pick a viewing spot before dark, so you are not walking with tired kids at showtime.
• Bring ear protection for babies and toddlers.
• Plan the walk back to the car: Baytowne has not posted parking details yet.
• Leave pets at home with ID tags on; fireworks scare many dogs and cats.

Who to contact

• Baytowne NYE Countdown: Sandestin event page
• Seaside events: Seaside New Year’s Eve page
• Beach rules: Walton County ordinance (PDF)

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