Posted on 12/9/2025By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
Christmas on 30A carries its own kind of sparkle—warm lights draped across town squares, local artisans selling handmade gifts, markets tucked into beachside communities, and seasonal events that feel both nostalgic and wonderfully coastal. From the lively energy of Seaside to the timeless charm of Rosemary Beach, the creativity of The Big Chill, the elegance of Alys Beach, and the family-friendly atmosphere of Watersound, each town brings its own magic to the season. After more than forty years of welcoming guests to these shores, Ocean Reef Resorts has watched December transform 30A into one of Florida’s most charming holiday destinations.
This year, the holiday calendar is filled with markets, makers, family events, Santa sightings, live performances, and small-town traditions that highlight the area’s creative spirit. Whether you're planning a winter getaway or already counting down the days to Christmas, here are the best 30A Christmas events and markets for 2025.
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
A hallmark of the season, this charming setup offers complimentary Santa photos surrounded by glowing lights, festive music, and one of the most iconic holiday backdrops anywhere on 30A. Families can stroll through Seaside’s Christmas Village afterward, enjoying its boutiques, sweet shops, and peaceful coastal atmosphere. It’s a simple, magical way to slow down and soak in the spirit of the season.
Polar Express Party with Harlan’s Place Foundation
Date: December 11, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stock & Brew
A sweet, family-friendly celebration with Santa, coloring stations, cookies, hot chocolate, and a showing of The Polar Express. Free to attend and perfect for younger children. Stock & Brew’s cozy setting makes it an inviting spot for families to gather, unwind, and enjoy a warm holiday moment together. It’s a feel-good community event that captures the heart of the season.
A Christmas Carol — Seaside & Emerald Coast Theatre Company
Dates: December 13–14 & 18–23, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Seaside Post Office
A lively forty-five-minute outdoor adaptation of A Christmas Carol performed by Emerald Coast Theatre Company. This fast-paced, family-friendly retelling brings Scrooge, Marley, and the Christmas ghosts to life through music, puppetry, and imaginative storytelling. As an Executive Producer Sponsor, Ocean Reef Resorts is proud to support ECTC and its mission to bring exceptional performing arts to our community. Set against the charming backdrop of Seaside’s town center, the show creates a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Free and open to the public.
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One of the best-kept local secrets this time of year? The December workshops hosted by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Tucked away in a peaceful spot just north of the coast, their Bayou Arts Center is a local favorite—a creative hideaway where visitors can learn something new, make something meaningful, and feel connected to the artistic spirit that defines this community.
Children’s Business Holiday Market (The Big Chill 30A)
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: The Big Chill 30A
A heartwarming favorite featuring young entrepreneurs selling handmade crafts, treats, and creative gifts. The Big Chill’s lively outdoor atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for families to browse, mingle, and cheer on these mini makers. It’s a delightful way to support local creativity while enjoying one of 30A’s most vibrant community hubs.
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
A festive Seagrove tradition offering brunch favorites, Santa photos, waterfront views, and live music. Families can enjoy the restaurant’s warm, coastal ambiance while taking in peaceful Eastern Lake scenery—one of the most unique natural settings along 30A. Reservations are recommended, as this beloved holiday gathering fills quickly each year.
S’mores & Santa in Rosemary Beach
Dates: Saturdays, December 13 & 20, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: South Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach
Enjoy complimentary Santa photos and make-your-own s’mores in the heart of Rosemary Beach. The town’s cobblestone streets and Dutch–West Indies architecture create a picturesque backdrop for a cozy afternoon by the fire. It’s a simple, sweet holiday experience that kids adore and parents love just as much.
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
A dog-friendly Christmas celebration that’s as fun for pets as it is for their humans. Families can enjoy live music from the Christon Birge Duo, sip festive Tito’s drink specials, and snag fun Tito’s swag for their pups. Road Dogg Rescue will be onsite sharing foster and adoption information, while Santa himself poses with your four-legged friends for holiday photos. The lively, eclectic spirit of Grayton Beach makes this event a standout—and afterward, bring the pup by our Grayton Beach office to say hello. It’s just a one-minute walk away.
Winter Wonder — Watersound
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Watersound Town Center Pavilion
Seasonal fun featuring Santa photos, carolers, cookie decorating, crafts, and holiday cheer. Set within the beautifully lit Watersound Town Center, this evening event brings families together for a warm, walkable celebration filled with music, laughter, and hands-on holiday activities. It’s an easygoing, festive night that captures the spirit of the season in one of 30A’s newest community hubs.
Holiday Market in Rosemary Beach
Dates: December 18, 22 & 29, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: North Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach
A festive holiday edition of the beloved Rosemary Beach Farmers Market, offering seasonal gifts, artisan crafts, gourmet treats, and coastal décor. Set among cobblestone streets and European-inspired architecture, this open-air market feels like a charming seaside Christmas village. It’s the perfect place to browse for last-minute gifts, sip something warm, and enjoy the elegant, walkable atmosphere that makes Rosemary Beach one of 30A’s most enchanting holiday stops.
Coastal White Christmas at Grand Boulevard
Dates: December 18 – 23, 2025
Where: Grand Park, Grand Boulevard
Snow flurries, twinkle lights, Santa visits, and nightly holiday entertainment transform Grand Boulevard into a festive open-air celebration. Families can enjoy complimentary horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, take photos with Santa beneath the towering Christmas tree, and experience nightly children’s holiday performances presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company. With shops, restaurants, and Grand Park’s beautiful décor all steps away, it’s an elegant and walkable holiday outing that shines throughout the entire week.
The Big Chill 30A Holiday Party & Market
Date: Friday, December 19, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Big Chill 30A
This festive afternoon celebration turns The Big Chill into a lively Christmas village complete with Santa photos, live music, local vendors, and cheerful pop-up shops. Families can enjoy the upbeat atmosphere under the pavilion while little ones visit Santa from 12–3 p.m., and the lawn fills with creative makers and food stalls hosted by Anchored Market Ventures. With holiday treats, great music, and plenty of space for kids to roam, it’s one of the most spirited community gatherings on 30A.
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If you’re exploring holiday fun along 30A, you’re just minutes away from even more festive magic in Destin. From twinkling harbor lights to coastal parades, waterfront dining, and family-friendly celebrations, Destin offers a vibrant lineup of Christmas events all its own. Discover everything happening this season—including activities, shopping, and where to stay—in our full Christmas in Destin guide.
Alys Beach Classics: Home Alone Outdoor Screening
Date: Monday, December 29, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Central Park, Alys Beach
Alys Beach closes out the season with a festive outdoor screening of Home Alone in its beautifully lit Central Park. Guests can enjoy a thoughtfully prepared picnic-style meal with chef-selected entrées, shared sides, and sweet treats, along with cozy blankets for an elevated movie-night experience. It’s a family-friendly evening full of laughs, holiday charm, and the unmistakable magic of Alys Beach.
Where to Stay for the Holidays on 30A
30A in December feels peaceful, cozy, and wonderfully festive—ideal for families looking to slow down and savor time together. Our 30A vacation rentals offer the perfect base for enjoying these markets and events, with options featuring private beach access, Gulf views, heated pools, and spacious gathering areas for holiday meals. Ocean Reef Resorts has served guests along 30A for more than forty years, offering a curated collection of homes and 24-hour support throughout your stay.
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.
