Christmas & New Year’s on 30A: 2025 Holiday Guide
If you’re spending the holidays on 30A in 2025, consider this your shortcut. From tree lightings and historic luminary walks to festive markets and New Year’s Eve fireworks, here’s what’s actually worth putting on the calendar — with every date, time, and venue-safe link. All events below are for the 2025 holiday season. Always double-check times before you go — weather loves to improvise around here.
Tree Lightings, Parades & Classic Holiday Moments
SEASIDE® Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Where: Seagrove to Seaside, ending in the Seaside Amphitheater
Details: https://seasidefl.com/events
The parade rolls down 30A from Seagrove into town, followed by Santa’s arrival, tree lighting, and photos in the Christmas Village.
Old Florida Holiday & Winter Market at WaterColor
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Where: WaterColor Town Center & Cerulean Park
Details: https://www.watercolorresort.com/experience/special-events/holiday-events
Carriage rides, vendors, Santa photos, twinkle lights — one of the most charming walkable holiday nights on 30A.
Grayton Beach Christmas Parade
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Where: Defuniak Street, Grayton Beach
Details: Official event link coming soon — check back for updates.
Small-town, quirky, and extremely Grayton: local floats, live music, and Santa cruising through the village.
S’mores & Santa in Rosemary Beach
Dates: Saturdays, December 6, 13 & 20, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Where: South Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach
Details: https://rosemarybeach.com/events
Make-your-own s’mores and complimentary Santa photos in the heart of Rosemary Beach.
Lights, History & Nighttime Walk-Throughs
Christmas Reflections in DeFuniak Springs
Dates: Nightly, November 28 — December 31, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m.
Where: Chipley Park & Lake DeFuniak
Details: https://www.defuniaksprings.net/1097/Christmas-Reflections
Over 10 million lights reflecting across a perfectly still lake. Carriage rides on select nights.
Eden Gardens Christmas Candlelight Open House & Luminaries
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Where: Eden Gardens State Park, Point Washington
Details: https://www.floridastateparks.org/events
A glowing, peaceful evening with luminary paths, a decorated historic mansion, live music, and cocoa under the oaks.
Coastal White Christmas at Grand Boulevard
Dates: December 18 — 23, 2025
Where: Grand Park, Grand Boulevard
Details: https://grandboulevard.com/events
Twinkle-light canopies, faux snow flurries, Santa visits, and festive entertainment throughout the week.
Holiday Markets, Local Shopping & Niche Events
Holiday’s Market in Rosemary Beach
Dates: December 18, 22 & 29, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.
Where: North Barrett Square
Details: https://rosemarybeach.com/events
A holiday edition of the Rosemary Beach Farmers Market with gifts, gourmet foods, and coastal décor.
Merry Main Street & Mistletoe Market – DeFuniak Springs
Dates: Fridays & Saturdays, November 29 — December 20, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. (varies)
Where: Baldwin Avenue, Historic Downtown DeFuniak Springs
Details: https://mainstreetdfs.org/merry-main-street
Food trucks, vendors, themed nights, live music, and a weekly holiday market — an easy evening trip from 30A.
30A Holiday Market at Peddlers Pavilion
New Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 (rescheduled)
Time: 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Where: Peddlers Pavilion, Seacrest Beach
Details: Official event link coming soon — check back for updates.
Vendors, gifts, baked goods, and Santa photos. A one-day holiday shopping pop-up in the center of Seacrest.
The Big Chill 30A Holiday Party & Market
Date: Friday, December 19, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Big Chill 30A, Watersound
Details: https://thebigchill.com/events
Live music, Santa photos, local vendors, and plenty of food options.
Children’s Business Holiday Market at The Big Chill
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Big Chill 30A, Watersound
Details: https://thebigchill.com/events
Kids run the show — mini makers, homemade gifts, and very adorable entrepreneurship.
Santa Paws at AJ’s Grayton Beach
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Where: AJ’s Grayton Beach
Details: https://ajsgrayton.com/events
Bring the pups for Santa photos, brunch, live music, and pet rescue partners onsite.
Mid-December Family Favorites
Winter Wonderland at WaterColor
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Where: WaterColor Town Center
Details: Official event link coming soon — check back for updates.
Holiday characters, family activities, festive décor, and walkable fun around WaterColor.
Alys Beach Classics: White Christmas
Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Central Park, Alys Beach
Details: https://www.alysbeach.com/events
An outdoor screening of White Christmas in the most aesthetically perfect park on 30A.
Santa Brunch at Old Florida Fish House
Dates: December 13 & 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Where: Old Florida Fish House, Seagrove
Details: https://oldfloridafishhouse.com/events
A festive brunch with Santa, live music, and waterfront views. Reservations recommended.
Santa’s Holiday Haven: Photos with Santa in SEASIDE®
Dates: November 29 — December 21, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Where: SEASIDE® Christmas Village
Details: https://seasidefl.com/events
Complimentary Santa photos surrounded by lights, music, and the Christmas Village atmosphere.
Polar Express: Christmas Celebration with Harlan’s Place Foundation
Dates: December 11th, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stock & Brew
Details: Facebook Event Link
Free to attend, featuring photos with Santa, Christmas coloring, hot chocolate, cookies, and a showing of the Polar Express.
The Week Between Christmas & New Year’s
Between December 26 and 31, expect one of the busiest weeks of the year on 30A. Everything is open, lively, and fully lit — the energy is high, restaurants are packed, and the entire stretch feels festive from morning to night.
Great options for that week:
• Christmas Reflections (runs nightly through Dec 31)
• Alys Beach White Christmas (Dec 28)
• Grand Boulevard holiday lights (through end of December)
New Year’s Eve 2025 on 30A & Nearby
Noon Year’s Eve Party – Alys Beach
Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Alys Beach Amphitheater
Details: https://www.alysbeach.com/events
Polished, charming, and perfectly Alys — a midday countdown complete with bubbles (kid-safe), crafts, live entertainment, and plenty of white-linen ambiance. It’s an ideal choice for little ones who want the excitement of “New Year’s Eve” without pushing their bedtime into next year.
Baytowne Wharf New Year’s Eve Countdown
Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Details: https://www.baytownewharf.com
Baytowne’s NYE celebration delivers a full evening of family activity: face painting, kids’ play zones, live music, and not one but two fireworks shows — an early one at 8 p.m. for families and the midnight finale for those who stay late. Lots to do, easy parking, and tons of room to spread out.
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop – Pier Park (Panama City Beach)
Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. – midnight
Where: Pier Park & Aaron Bessant Park
Details: https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/events
This is the “big city” version of a kid-friendly NYE — live performances, activities across the entire complex, the famous 8 p.m. kids’ beach ball drop, and the huge illuminated midnight drop with fireworks overhead. It’s high-energy, colorful, and perfect if you want a full-scale celebration just 25–30 minutes from 30A.
NYE Dinners & Parties for Adults
Pescado – Rosemary Beach
Rooftop soiree + evening seatings
https://rooftop30a.com
Cuvee 30A – Inlet Beach
Dinner service + wine program
https://cuvee30a.com
Havana Beach Bar & Grill – The Pearl Hotel
Prix fixe dinner with live entertainment
https://www.havanabeachbar.com
Ovide – Hotel Effie
Champagne-forward dinner
https://www.hoteleffie.com/dining/ovide
Edward’s – Rosemary Beach
Courtyard dinner with live music
https://edwards30a.com
La Crema – Rosemary Beach
Tapas + chocolate + champagne
https://lacrematapas.com
Surfing Deer – Seagrove
Five-course prix fixe
https://surfingdeer.com
Ara Rooftop – Hotel Effie
Rooftop NYE party
https://www.hoteleffie.com
Roux 30A – Grayton Beach
Chef-driven multi-course tasting
https://roux30a.com
New Year’s Day 2026: Polar Bear Plunge
South Walton Fire District Polar Bear Plunge
Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
Time: Sign-up 11:00 a.m.; contest 12:00 p.m.; plunge 1:00 p.m.
Where: Shunk Gulley & Ed Walline Beach Access
Details: https://www.shunkgulley.com
A chilly Gulf plunge (costumes encouraged) supporting SWFD community programs.
Quick Tips Before You Go
• NYE reservations sell out quickly
• Parking is tight — consider rideshare
• December weather swings drastically here — layers are your friend
Final Thoughts
The holidays on 30A hit different — twinkle lights on palm trees, sunrise walks that feel like therapy, and a calendar full of just-festive-enough events without losing the coastal calm that makes this place magic. Whether you're here for the big moments (hello, New Year’s fireworks) or the cozy ones (quiet cocoa at Christmas Reflections), I hope this guide helps you make the most of the season.
If you ever find yourself spending more holidays here than at “home,” don’t panic — it’s a very common side effect of falling in love with 30A.
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