OPI invites the community to celebrate the past 15 years of providing shelter to women, children and families in Okaloosa and Walton Counties

In the spirit of the holiday season, a heartfelt story has emerged that prompts us to ponder an engaging and heartwarming question: "What if Santa Met Jesus on Christmas Day?"

Café Thirty-A, located at 3899 East County Hwy 30A, will host its annual Christmas Charity Ball benefiting Caring and Sharing of South Walton on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Beau Interiors invites the community to attend their Annual Christmas Open House on Saturday, November 11th from 10am-5pm.

VIE’s editor-in-chief Lisa Marie Burwell joined long-time friends, singer-songwriter/Broadway star Morgan James and Sinfonia Gulf Coast music and artistic director Demetrius Fuller, in the stunning Alys Beach home of Bryan and Tina Corr for a meet and greet on May 28. James and Fuller took center stage for a patriotic summer kick-off concert at the Alys Beach Amphitheater.

A group of locals has come together to help Chef Brannon Janca, owner of Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The holiday fundraiser, called Janca’s Jingle Bell Jamboree, will be held at Down Island on December 17, 2022 from 6-9PM and will include live music, a wine walkabout, local area chef demos, a large silent auction, a professional photo booth, and so much more.

Ryanhood is bringing their high-energy, big-harmony, dueling acoustic guitar approach to Santa Rosa Beach for two shows, December 16 & 17, 2022.  "A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood,” is a live holiday touring show based on the duo’s award-winning album, On Christmas. An evening of songs and storytelling, heartstrings and laughter, the show features a blend of original holiday compositions, wintry covers, and reworked classics woven together with holiday stories and memories.

This Thanksgiving, locals and travelers visiting the Emerald Coast can remove the holiday stress from their plate, leaving room for extra turkey and mashed potatoes. Whether they choose to dine at the elusive Hotel Effie for brunch or enjoy an exclusive Thanksgiving Fall dinner, below are options for chef-driven holiday meals for the whole family.

Southern Sound Music Alliance is so proud to present this year’s Summer Haze Winter Fest on November 19 & 20, 2022! This event will feature some of SoWal’s favorite local & regional musicians at Distillery 98 & Idyll Hounds with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

The brainchild of Tribe Kelley founder and CEO Brittney Kelley, the residential light show in Grayton Beach, Florida, will support mental health awareness. Grayt Lights is the perfect holiday activity to gather friends and family together, so visitors and locals alike can drive through a magical holiday wonderland by the beach and support a great cause while enjoying the holiday cheer!

Panama City Beach is situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters Andrew Bay converge. With 320 days of sunshine annually and attractions such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, the region has long been favored by travelers seeking an affordable beach vacation with year-round offerings for families, couples, groups, and adventure-seekers. “We are thrilled to be hosting events at the Real.Fun.Beach once again and look forward to welcoming visitors this weekend for our annual Pirates of the High Seas Fest,” says Dan Rowe.

Look to the joy of Christmas to lift your spirits as we finish this year! Around the globe, people believe in the future of our world, and we too can have faith and hope that good things are coming. To grow your Christmas enthusiasm, we’ve rounded up a peek at these extravagant locations and events that inspire us to live in the light and celebrate the love this special occasion gives us!