A Walton County Christmas — Events around the area
The Nutcracker
The Ballet Conservatory and Destin School of Music and Dance will present its annual presentation of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Featuring more than 80 local dancers, this production will be held at the South Walton High School Auditorium, 645 Greenway Trail.
Seating is reserved. For more details, visit floridaballetconservatory.com or call 850-837-1133.
Santa at Silver Sands
Santa Claus flies into Silver Sands at noon Dec. 5 via Sacred Heart Hospital’s AirHeart helicopter. All children under eight years old are invited to dress up in festive holiday costumes and join in the Santa Parade. Following the parade will be snacks, a special appearance by “Prince” and “Princess” Bears of Sacred Heart, photo opportunities with Santa and a costume contest featuring great prizes. All proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.
Santa will also be at Charity Gift Wrap from 1 to 4 pm. Dec. 12 and 19. Shoppers can have their photos taken with Santa and give him their wish list this holiday season for a donation of $5 that will benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast.
Open house at Walton County Heritage Museum
The Walton County Heritage Museum will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 at 1140 Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs.
Several other complimentary ticketed events are being held in DeFuniak Springs this same day.
Numerous short films are available for viewing that will enhance the Victorian home tours as well as shopping and dining. Unique historic books, films, commemorative stones and gifts are available.
Brenda Rees, WCHM board chairman said, “This is a great time of year to visit Walton County. The beaches in South Walton are beautiful and the historic venues of Walton County are exceptional. Autumn and winter are perfect times to invite friends and relatives to visit. Bring a friend and join us.”
The Walton County Heritage Museum is part of the Walton County Heritage Association and depends upon the support of its members and the business community to accomplish its goals. Annual dues are $15 for individuals and $25 for couples. Mail checks to PO Box 1681, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.
The Museum’s regular hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and admission is free. Donations are appreciated. For more information, call 850-951-2127
The Tour of Homes and the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Tree Festival will be held the same day. The annual light tour on the historic circle is that evening.
Alys in Winter Wonderland
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be Alys Beach's honored guests for an afternoon of cookie decorating, fresh hot cocoa and holiday cheer from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Fourth Annual Alys in Winter Wonderland party at Fonville Press.
Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift or non-perishable item to be donated to Caring and Sharing of Walton County.
The party is free and open to the public. Call 866-481-8387 or e-mail events@alysbeach.com.
Christmas on the Coast at Grand Boulevard
Christmas on the Coast is celebrated every weekend through Christmas as the Town Center is transformed for the holiday season.
Each Friday and Saturday night, strolling carolers and twinkling lights will greet visitors, providing a beautiful and inspirational setting for enjoying the Town Center, shopping and dining.
The Pro Arte Chorale of Northwest Florida performs traditional holiday music from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday night throughout Grand Boulevard’s Town Center.
Blast From The Past and The Scrooge will perform Nov. 27 and Dec. 5 and The Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra takes the stage Dec. 12 and 19.
Mattie Kelly Arts Center holiday concerts
The holiday season kicks off with a series of free and ticketed events at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College. Events requiring tickets may be purchased from the Mattie Kelly Box Office in-person or by phone at 850-729-6000.
•Dec. 5: Junior Orchestra Winter Concert, 11 a.m., Tyler Recital Hall, Free. Group of musicians in grades 4 to 8 from Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa County schools will perform classical and holiday favorites.
•Dec. 11: Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra “Holiday Pops”, 7:30 p.m., Mainstage, $22.50 adults and $16 youth 18 and under and active-duty military.
•Dec. 12: Northwest Florida Youth Chorus “Christmas on the Bayou”, 11 a.m., Tyler Recital Hall, Free. Young vocalists in grades 4-8 who will perform holiday favorites.
SWFD Elf Ride
The South Walton Fire District will host the Second Annual Elf Ride Down 30-A Dec. 6.
Children and parents will meet at the Seaside Post Office and bicycle or walk to the South Walton Fire District Station 2/WaterColor.
Bring a wrapped toy to benefit the Angel Tree, and label boy or girl, age and toy description.
Along with tours of Station 2 and fire trucks, there will be hot chocolate and holiday treats for all.
Wear your Santa or elf hat and get festive — use your imagination and decorate your bicycles. Call 850-267-1298.
‘O Holy Night’
This year's Christmas presentation by the Ecumenical Choir of Walton County, “O Holy Night,” will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 480 N. Hwy 393, 1/2 mile north of U.S. 98.
As always, there is no charge to attend, but a free will offering is collected to supplement the Choir's community outreach to local charities and individuals in need.
Also a canned food item may be donated at the door for needy families during the holidays. Over the years the Choir has supported Caring and Sharing, Children's Volunteer Health Network and the Path of Grace Women's Recovery Home, to name a few of the ways they have impacted and continue to impact the community.
There are refreshments and fellowship at each performance.
The Choir also welcomes new members who would like to share their musical gifts with the community. Call Adele Armitage at 850-267-3332 for more information.
Christmas Tree Lighting
The City of Panama City Beach will hold its 30th annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Frank Brown Park at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Music and refreshments provided by local school, church, and civic groups. Free photos with Santa available for download at www.playballinparadise.com. Call 233-5045.
Tree farm
Severts Tree Farm has moved its Christmas Tree location to Pier Park between Red Robin and The Dollar Tree. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 7 days a week until Christmas Eve. This year, $2 from every Christmas Tree sold will be donated to Misty Williams and her fight with rectal cancer. For information, call 850-685-3567.
Sounds of the Season — ‘A Baby Changes Everything’
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will present their annual Christmas concert, Sounds of the Season — “A Baby Changes Everything,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Village Baptist Church in Destin. A 150-member community choir from Destin United Methodist, Destin Assembly, Destin First Baptist, Shoreline and Village Baptist will perform sacred and Christmas classics. Also performing will be a community children's choir.
Admission is a donation of a new, unwrapped child’s toy.
A love offering at intermission will benefit the Tom Rappazini Scholarship Fund in support of art and education programs for children. Call 650-2226 or visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.
Christmas for the Birds
Children of all ages can make edible ornaments for the birds to eat and decorate the outdoor Christmas tree at Coastal Branch Library during the annual Christmas for the Birds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 12. Santa will arrive on the fire engine at noon with goodies for the children. There will also be a story time and refreshments.
Breakfast with Santa
The 12th annual Breakfast with Santa takes place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at Van R. Butler Elementary in Santa Rosa Beach. Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door.
Yule of Yesteryear
Enjoy old fashioned Christmas festivities at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida and Perrine Park during Yule of Yesterday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12. The event is free and open to the public.
Walton Guard will reenact Christmas of 1861 dressed in Civil War costumes.
There will be ornament-making for children, demonstrations of local crafts, a bake sale and old-fashioned games and toys available for purchase in the museum’s Gift Shop & Book Store.
The Victorian Tea will be held at 2 p.m. Cost is $10; $5 for HMNF members. Reservations and payment must be received in advance. For reservations call 850 678-2615.
Teen Center Cookie Bake
The DeFuniak Springs Teen Center will host the Second Annual Teen Angel Christmas Cookie Bake Dec. 18. The homemade cookies will be baked and decorated by Teen Center members and sold for $5 a dozen. All proceeds go back to the Teen Center for use in program development and activities for the teens.
Pre-order at 978-2615. Cookies will be available for pickup from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at 435 State Hwy. 83 north.
The cookies will be baked and decorated by the teens under the supervision of Kiwanians and the ladies of First Apostolic Church.
Countdown Seaside
The Merchants of Seaside are “putting on the Ritz” for Countdown Seaside, a New Year’s Eve celebration with a family-friendly party featuring live entertainment, kid’s art projects and a fireworks display at midnight over the Gulf of Mexico.
Events begin with Delta Highway in the Amphitheater at 7 p.m., followed by Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience at 9:30 p.m.
Abrakadoodle will offer free art projects, including making noisemakers and party hats, for the children from 7 to 10 p.m. Face-painters will be on hand for the young and young-at-heart in the festive spirit.
