What day is Christmas in 2026?

Christmas Day 2026 is Friday, Dec. 25. New Year's Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31.

What is there to do on New Year's Eve in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast?

New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop (Thu., Dec. 31, Panama City Beach); Seaside® New Year’s Eve Celebration (Thu., Dec. 31, 4 p.m., Santa Rosa Beach).

Destin Christmas 2026: Lights, Parades & Holiday Events on the Emerald Coast

Q: Where can I see Christmas lights in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast?

Holiday Pops – A Candlelight Christmas (Fri., Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Niceville); 40th Annual Boat Parade of Lights (Sat., Dec. 12, 5 p.m., Panama City).

Q: When are the Christmas parades in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast?

Hometown Holiday Parade (Fri., Nov. 20, 5 p.m., Miramar Beach); Seaside® Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town (Sat., Nov. 28, 3 p.m., Santa Rosa Beach); 40th Annual Boat Parade of Lights (Sat., Dec. 12, 5 p.m., Panama City).

Holiday events by date

Emerald Coast Christmas at The Dock Fri., Nov. 20 · The Dock PCB · Panama City Beach · Bay County · Organizer
Hometown Holiday Parade Fri., Nov. 20, 5 p.m. · Grand Boulevard Town Center · Miramar Beach · Walton County · Organizer
The Nutcracker Ballet Act II Sun., Nov. 22, 5 p.m. · Seaside Amphitheater · Santa Rosa Beach · Walton County · Organizer

Holiday gift picks

Books worth wrapping this year

For Dad and every New Yorker at heart.
The Night We Came Back
A father, a son and the Knicks' 2026 championship run. Five Finals games, five lessons for life.
Get the hardcover
Paperback · Kindle · About the book
For her: an improbable encounter. An inevitable love.
Desire and the Thaw
An unplanned stop in Iceland, a man who sees who she could be, and a love that burns slowly.
Get it on Kindle
Paperback · About the book
Local author
For the young fantasy fan.
Beneath the Song
A dark epic fantasy written by a Freeport dad and his 6-year-old son. Book One of the Chronicles of the Forgotten Truth.
Preorder on Kindle
Read our story · Free Chapter One

Two of these books are by a member of our team. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Beach Home for the Holidays Fri., Nov. 27 · Aaron Bessant Park · Panama City Beach · Bay County · Organizer
Central Square Cinema – Holiday Movie Night Fri., Nov. 27, 7 p.m. · Seaside Amphitheater · Santa Rosa Beach · Walton County · Organizer
Seaside® Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town Sat., Nov. 28, 3 p.m. · Scenic Highway 30A · Santa Rosa Beach · Walton County · Organizer
Holiday Entertainment on The Boulevard Tue., Dec. 1, 6 p.m. · Grand Boulevard Town Center · Miramar Beach · Walton County · Organizer
Holiday Sip & Shop Fri., Dec. 4, 4 p.m. · Grand Boulevard Town Center · Miramar Beach · Walton County · Organizer
Holiday Pops – A Candlelight Christmas Fri., Dec. 4, 7 p.m. · Mattie Kelly Arts Center · Niceville · Okaloosa County · Organizer
Holiday Market on the Blvd Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m. · Grand Boulevard Town Center · Miramar Beach · Walton County · Organizer
Seaside® Holiday Market Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m. · Seaside’s Central Square · Seaside · Walton County · Organizer
Steven Curtis Chapman: The Music of Christmas Tour – Panama City, FL Sat., Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. · Hiland Park Baptist Church · Panama City · Bay County · Organizer
Seaside® Holiday Market Sun., Dec. 6, 10 a.m. · Seaside’s Central Square · Seaside · Walton County · Organizer
Celtic Angels Christmas Thu., Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. · Mattie Kelly Arts Center · Niceville · Okaloosa County · Organizer
40th Annual Boat Parade of Lights Sat., Dec. 12, 5 p.m. · Panama City Marina · Panama City · Bay County · Organizer
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop Thu., Dec. 31 · Pier Park · Panama City Beach · Bay County · Organizer
Seaside® New Year’s Eve Celebration Thu., Dec. 31, 4 p.m. · Seaside Amphitheater · Santa Rosa Beach · Walton County · Organizer

Dates and times come from each organizer. Weather can move outdoor events, so check the organizer's page before you go. All upcoming events.

Christmas lights

Holiday Pops – A Candlelight Christmas Fri., Dec. 4, 7 p.m. · Niceville
40th Annual Boat Parade of Lights Sat., Dec. 12, 5 p.m. · Panama City

All christmas lights in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast ›

Christmas parades

Hometown Holiday Parade Fri., Nov. 20, 5 p.m. · Miramar Beach
Seaside® Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town Sat., Nov. 28, 3 p.m. · Santa Rosa Beach
40th Annual Boat Parade of Lights Sat., Dec. 12, 5 p.m. · Panama City

All christmas parades in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast ›

Christmas shows and concerts

The Nutcracker Ballet Act II Sun., Nov. 22, 5 p.m. · Santa Rosa Beach
Holiday Pops – A Candlelight Christmas Fri., Dec. 4, 7 p.m. · Niceville
Steven Curtis Chapman: The Music of Christmas Tour – Panama City, FL Sat., Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. · Panama City
Celtic Angels Christmas Thu., Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. · Niceville

All christmas shows and concerts in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast ›

Holiday markets

Holiday Market on the Blvd Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m. · Miramar Beach
Seaside® Holiday Market Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m. · Seaside
Seaside® Holiday Market Sun., Dec. 6, 10 a.m. · Seaside

All holiday markets in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast ›

New Year's Eve

New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop Thu., Dec. 31 · Panama City Beach
Seaside® New Year’s Eve Celebration Thu., Dec. 31, 4 p.m. · Santa Rosa Beach

All new year's eve in Destin, Panama City Beach & the Emerald Coast ›

Weather

Towns and organizers announce road closures for parades and tree lightings; check the event link before you drive.

Know of a holiday event we are missing? Use "Report an error" or our contact page and we will add it.

Destin & Emerald Coast Christmas 2026: lights, parades and holiday events