From fine art festivals and glowing architecture in Alys Beach to live music, theatre, workshops, and story-filled evenings, May transforms 30A into a month-long celebration of creativity.

May along 30A already has a lot going for it. The weather is warm, the Gulf is glowing, the spring crowds have eased a bit, and summer is just starting to peek around the corner.

This year, there’s another reason to plan a beach escape: Art Month Walton County.

Presented by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County with support from Visit South Walton, Art Month returns this May with more than 40 creative experiences across visual art, theatre, music, writing, storytelling, workshops, and family-friendly events.

For Ocean Reef Resorts guests staying in Destin, Miramar Beach, Sandestin, or along Scenic 30A—from Dune Allen and Blue Mountain Beach to Grayton Beach, Seagrove, Seacrest, and Inlet Beach—Art Month is a perfect excuse to turn a beach vacation into something even more memorable.

What Is Art Month Walton County?

Art Month Walton County is a month-long celebration of creativity, culture, and community throughout South Walton. It highlights the area’s thriving arts scene through festivals, performances, exhibitions, writing events, live music, gallery nights, workshops, and outdoor experiences.

In other words, this is not just one event. It is a full calendar of reasons to get out, explore, and experience 30A from a more creative angle.

Art Month Walton County 2026: 

Quick Event Highlights

April 30 – May 1: The Little Mermaid Jr. at Seaside Lyceum Stage

April 30 – May 17: Mystic Pizza at Emerald Coast Theatre Company

May 2 – 3: ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival at Grand Boulevard

May 7 – 9: Plaid Columns Exhibition at Curate 30A in Rosemary Beach

May 7: Emerald Coast Storytellers Open Mic Night at Distillery 98

May 7, 14, 21 & 28: Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Concerts in the Village

May 8: Ruskin Park Art Walk in Seaside

May 9 – 16: Longleaf Writers Conference in Grayton Beach

May 13: Petite Picasso Gallery Night at Art Basha Gallery

May 14: Art + Architecture Walking Tour in Alys Beach

May 14: Justin Gaffrey: Neither Here Nor There in Blue Mountain Beach

May 15: Jaws in Concert with Sinfonia Gulf Coast

May 15 – 16: Digital Graffiti in Alys Beach

May 21: Thirdsday Art Walk on County Road 393

May 21: Emerald Coast Storytellers After Hours Writing at Distillery 98

May 24: Sinfonia Salutes in Alys Beach

May 27: Seaside Art Walk

May 28: Resin Art Workshop at Bayou Arts Center

Major Art Month Events Guests Will Love

With more than 40 events on the calendar, Art Month Walton County offers no shortage of ways to explore the local arts scene. Still, a handful of signature experiences rise to the top, drawing both visitors and locals year after year. These are the can’t-miss highlights that capture the energy and creativity of 30A in May.

ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival at Grand Boulevard

One of the biggest highlights of the month is the 38th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, returning to Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3.

This long-loved festival features more than 120 exhibiting artists from across the country, along with live music, artist demonstrations, student exhibitions, interactive art activities, and creative experiences for all ages.

For guests staying in Miramar Beach, Sandestin, or nearby 30A communities, this one is especially easy to enjoy. Spend the morning at the beach, head to Grand Boulevard for the festival, then stay for dinner, shopping, or a relaxed evening stroll.

While you're there, keep an eye out for the silent auction—Ocean Reef Resorts has contributed a stay at a beach-view condo, making it a great chance to bid on a future getaway before you even head home.

Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach

If there is one event that feels completely unique to 30A, it may be Digital Graffiti.

This projection art festival transforms the white walls of Alys Beach into a glowing outdoor gallery, using digital technology, film, animation, photography, and visual design. The 2026 event takes place on Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16.

Friday night sets the tone with a lively, adults-oriented experience—think a full evening out with food, drinks, and a high-energy atmosphere as the artwork comes to life after dark. It’s a bit of a scene, in a good way.

Saturday shifts into a more relaxed, family-friendly pace, making it easier to explore the installations, take your time, and enjoy the experience at a slower speed.

It is artistic, architectural, and a little surreal—in the best way. Think less “quiet gallery” and more “walking through a living canvas.” Very 30A. Very worth seeing.

Mystic Pizza at Emerald Coast Theatre Company

Theatre fans can enjoy Mystic Pizza, a musical based on the beloved 1988 romantic comedy. Performances run from Thursday, April 30, through Sunday, May 17, at Emerald Coast Theatre Company in Grand Boulevard.

As a longtime supporter of the theatre, Ocean Reef Resorts recently had the chance to preview the show—and it’s safe to say, you’re in for a treat. The cast brings great energy, and the production captures all the charm, humor, and heart that made the original story so memorable.

This is a great option for a date night, girls’ trip, or a relaxed evening away from the beach. Beach days and theatre nights are an underrated combo.

Longleaf Writers Conference in Grayton Beach

From May 9 through May 16, the Longleaf Writers Conference returns to Grayton Beach with award-winning authors, literary agents, readings, seminars, consultations, and writing-focused events.

For writers, readers, and creative thinkers, this is one of the more meaningful events of the month. And since it is based in Grayton Beach, guests can pair literary inspiration with one of 30A’s most iconic beach communities.

Jaws in Concert with Sinfonia Gulf Coast

On Friday, May 15, Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents Jaws in Concert, featuring Steven Spielberg’s classic film shown in HD while the orchestra performs John Williams’ legendary score live.

The combination of watching the film while a full orchestra performs the music in real time is genuinely captivating—every moment feels bigger, more intense, and a lot more immersive than your average movie night.

Yes, watching Jaws near the beach is a choice. A bold one. But with a live orchestra behind it, this is the kind of vacation memory people actually talk about later.

Art Walks, Gallery Nights, and Local Creativity

Art Month is not only about the headlining events. Some of the best experiences are the smaller, more local moments tucked throughout the calendar.

Guests can explore art walks at Ruskin Place in Seaside, the Artist Warehouses on County Road 393, and the Seaside Art Walk later in the month. There are also gallery events in Rosemary Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach, including special exhibitions, live painting, and creative showcases.

These events are ideal for guests who enjoy wandering, browsing, discovering local artists, and building a loose evening plan around dinner, drinks, and a little creative inspiration.

Family-Friendly Art Month Events

Families visiting in May will find plenty of ways to bring kids into the fun.

The month includes student performances like The Little Mermaid Jr. at the Seaside Lyceum Stage, hands-on art activities at ArtsQuest, youth-focused showcases, and creative workshops hosted throughout the area.

ArtsQuest’s ImagiNation area is designed especially for kids, making the festival a strong choice for families looking to add something interactive and creative to their beach trip.

Live Music Throughout May

Art Month also brings plenty of live music to the calendar.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Concerts in the Village series continues each Thursday in May, with family-friendly performances in Destin. As a longtime supporter of these concerts, Ocean Reef Resorts is often right in the middle of the action—just steps from the dance floor, where the energy really picks up as the sun goes down.

ArtsQuest also features live music throughout the festival weekend, and Alys Beach hosts Sinfonia Salutes, a free Memorial Day weekend concert on Sunday, May 24.

Bring a blanket, settle in, and enjoy a coastal evening with music in the air. It’s one of those simple, can’t-miss vacation moments.

Where to Stay for Art Month Walton County

One of the best parts of Art Month is how spread out the events are. Guests can stay near the Gulf and still be close to galleries, theatres, festival lawns, restaurants, boutiques, and beach communities throughout South Walton.

For easy access to ArtsQuest and Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Miramar Beach and Sandestin vacation rentals are especially convenient. For Digital Graffiti, vacation rentals in Seagrove Beach, Seacrest, and Inlet Beach place guests close to the east end of 30A. For Longleaf Writers Conference, Seaside Art Walk, Grayton Beach events, and gallery nights, 30A vacation rentals in Grayton Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and surrounding communities make a great home base.

With Ocean Reef Resorts, guests can choose from Gulf-front condos, private beach homes, walkable 30A retreats, resort-style communities, and spacious vacation rentals designed for families, couples, and groups.

Plan a Creative May Beach Getaway

Art Month Walton County adds another layer to what makes May such a beautiful time to visit the Emerald Coast. You can spend the morning by the Gulf, the afternoon exploring a fine arts festival, and the evening enjoying live music, theatre, storytelling, or a glowing projection art experience in Alys Beach.

It is the kind of trip that feels relaxed, inspired, and just a little more interesting than the usual beach escape.

Explore our Destin vacation rentals, Miramar Beach vacation rentals, Sandestin vacation rentals, and 30A vacation rentals to find the perfect place to stay during Art Month Walton County.