Posted on 4/15/2025
Easter season is a magical time for gathering with family and loved ones—and there’s no more picturesque setting than the sun-kissed beaches of Destin and the Emerald Coast. At Ocean Reef Resorts, we’ve welcomed countless guests who’ve made Easter an annual tradition, choosing our serene shores for their spring getaways and meaningful reunions. It’s easy to see why.
Easter in Destin
Imagine soft, sugar-white sands beneath your feet, warmed by gentle sunshine as it sparkles across the emerald-hued Gulf. In Destin, spring arrives in full bloom—an invigorating contrast to the lingering chill up north. Here, Mother Nature sets the stage with vibrant colors and floral beauty, creating the perfect backdrop for Easter celebrations.
Easter along the Emerald Coast is a time of renewal, reflection, and togetherness. You might begin the day with a heartwarming sunrise service on the beach—an unforgettable way to embrace the holiday’s deeper meaning. But the spirit of celebration continues with festive egg hunts, cheerful Bunny visits, and spring-inspired activities for all ages. Whether your Easter traditions lean sacred or playful, Destin and the Emerald Coast offer an exceptional setting to make new memories.
Ready to make this Easter one to remember? Explore our curated list of events and experiences below—your perfect spring holiday is waiting.
Easter Egg Hunts & Easter Bunny Appearances
The Easter Bunny magically appears every year in our little paradise, handing out eggs to wide-eyed children and posing for photo ops. This VIP celebrates the season at a number of locations up and down the Emerald Coast:
Join in the Easter fun at the Family Easter Egg Hunt at Destin’s luxury Henderson Resort in Destin. The Grand Lawn will be covered in colorful eggs, and the kids will have a blast searching for these little treasures filled with treats and prizes. This event is complimentary, and the fun begins at 9 am on April 20.
Take a stroll down HarborWalk Village in Destin this spring season, where the whole family can enjoy an Easter Extravaganza. There will be free face painting, crafts, photos with the Easter Bunny, and a golden egg hunt. Check it out between 1 pm and 4 pm on April 20.
The City of Destin’s beloved Easter Egg Hunt returns to the Morgan Sports Center on Saturday, April 19, 2025, beginning at 9:00 am. This festive, family-friendly event is open to children 12 and under, with designated egg hunting zones tailored for crawlers, toddlers, and older kids. And yes—the Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance!
Bounce on over to the Village of Baytowne Wharf on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM for an Easter Explosion of family fun! This free event features face painting, arts & crafts, and other spring-themed activities that kids will love. Be sure to get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny, who’ll be hopping by to spread some cheer!
Join the fun in Seaside, Florida, on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, for an unforgettable celebration in Central Square from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This festive, family-friendly event includes complimentary photos with the Easter Bunny, live music, face painting, and interactive activities for kids of all ages. The highlight? A massive Easter Egg Hunt featuring over 25,000 eggs, kicking off at 1:00 PM sharp! Please note: the Easter Bunny will take a quick break at 12:45 PM to start the hunt but will return shortly after to continue photos until 2:00 PM. Don’t miss this egg-stravaganza in one of 30A’s most iconic beach towns!
JCelebrate Easter in the charming town of Rosemary Beach on Sunday, April 20, 2025, with a festive morning that blends family fun with coastal charm. The annual egg hunt kicks off at 9:45 AM, so don’t forget to BYOB—Bring Your Own Basket! After the hunt, enjoy complimentary mimosas courtesy of Summer Kitchen Café and get your photo taken with the Easter Bunny at Gigi’s. With its walkable design, boutique shops, and relaxed island style, Rosemary Beach provides the perfect setting for a joyful and memory-filled Easter morning.
Join the Easter fun at The Big Chill in Watersound on Sunday, April 20, 2025, for an afternoon filled with family-friendly festivities. From 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, kids can meet the Easter Bunny and pose for photos. At 2:00 PM sharp, the Easter Egg Hunt begins and runs until 2:30 PM, so be sure to arrive on time to take part. This trick-or-treat-style egg hunt invites participants to stroll through The Big Chill and The Shops, collecting eggs from participating businesses. Each participating location will be marked with a sign, and guests are encouraged to bring their own basket or bag for collecting eggs.
Celebrate Easter with your four-legged family members at the 10th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza, hosted by Dog-Harmony on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. For a $20 donation in advance ($25 day-of), pups and their people will receive a souvenir bag to hunt for 1,000 eggs filled with dog treats. There will be separate egg hunt zones for dogs over and under 35 pounds. Guests can enjoy music from DJ Diamond Dan, appetizers from JC’s Gourmet, beer and wine, pet photos, games, and a silent auction. All proceeds support Dog-Harmony’s mission to keep dogs out of shelters through humane education and outreach.
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Top 4 Kid-Friendly Resorts in Destin
If you're planning a beach vacation with kids, it's important to find accommodations that are kid-friendly. We want to make planning your Emerald Coast vacation as easy as possible, so we've identified the top four kid-friendly resorts in Destin for you.
Easter Church Services
Easter is the celebration of redemption, renewal, and God's love for us all. For this reason, you may want to add an Easter beach service to your list of things to do while visiting the coast.
Join the Destin Methodist Church in praising the Lord at a sunrise Easter service on the beach. The service will be held at 6 am at Henderson Beach State Park.
The Hope on the Beach Church of 30A will host a Sunday beach service at 6:30 am & 8 am.
On Easter Sunday, the Chapel at Seaside will offer a couple of church services to celebrate Christ's resurrection. One of these is a 6 am sunrise service right on the sugary beach shores. What a great way to experience the joy of this special day! Two other services will be held at The Chapel later that morning.
Easter Dining
It wouldn't feel like Easter without a good feast. Fortunately, several local Destin and Emerald Coast restaurants will offer delicious Easter meals for you and your family to enjoy.
On Sunday, The Henderson Beach Resort in Destin will hold an elegant Easter brunch buffet in the grand ballroom. The buffet is specially curated. Kids will get to visit with the Easter Bunny and participate in other fun activities. The brunch runs from 9 am to 2 pm. Cost is $109 for adults and $39 for children.
Enjoy a delightful Easter Sunday brunch at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Linkside Conference Center on April 20, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Guests will savor a carefully prepared buffet featuring savory entrées, fresh salads, tempting sides, and a decadent dessert selection. Bottomless mimosas are available for adults looking to elevate the experience. Two seating times are available at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Little ones can also enjoy a festive egg hunt on the Grand Lawn during the celebration, making this a perfect Easter outing for the whole family.
Farmers' Markets
What better way to ring in the Easter season than enjoying the beautiful outdoors and the bounty of the earth? We encourage you to visit one (or several) of the amazing open-air Farmers Markets that are happening over Easter weekend. We guarantee you'll find plenty of Florida-grown produce and homemade goodies as you peruse the local stalls!
10 am-2 pm, Saturday & Sunday
9 am-1 pm, Saturday
9 am-1 pm, Saturday
9 am-1 pm, Sunday
Activities & Events
If you haven't worn out your excitement for Easter fun—and really, how could you—then there are still more activities and events for you to experience during your beach stay with us!
The 2025 Great 30A Easter Race, presented by Good News Church, takes place at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Saturday, April 19, with a 7:00 AM start time. Runners can choose from three distinct courses: the Clean Feet 5K, the Stinky Feet 10K (two laps on paved surfaces), or the Dirty Feet 10K, which combines pavement, trails, and beach terrain. All races are professionally timed and run entirely within the park. An awards ceremony will follow around 8:45 AM, with prizes for top finishers and age groups. All participants will receive a finisher’s award and a Boca Gear running hat. Sign up here.
Hop aboard the 125-foot Solaris Yacht for a one-of-a-kind Easter celebration on the water. Departing from Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, this special Easter Dinner Cruise sets sail on Sunday, April 20, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Guests will enjoy a three-course, chef-prepared Easter meal while cruising across the scenic Choctawhatchee Bay. Iced tea, coffee, and water are included, with a full bar available for cocktails, beer, and wine. For a festive surprise, guests can pre-order Easter baskets—delivered directly to your table—with treats for kids and even prosecco for adults. Advance reservations are required, and window tables are limited. Use Coupon Code EASTER10 for a 10% discount. Sign up here.
Take the family on a fun and educational adventure during the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt at Camp Helen State Park on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Upon arrival, families will receive a themed scavenger hunt card and follow a color-coded hiking trail that winds through the park, offering clues, discoveries, and plenty of Easter cheer along the way. Guests may check in at any time during the event hours. This unique celebration blends the spirit of Easter with the natural beauty of one of the area’s most scenic state parks, located at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, just west of the Phillips Inlet Bridge.
Hop into the holiday spirit at North Beach Social on Sunday, April 20, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM with a full day of festive food, family fun, and live music. Start your celebration with the Easter Sunday Ham Plate, featuring honey ham, potato salad, green beans, and cornbread—served up with a side of sunshine and bayfront views. Bring the kids for an afternoon of excitement with age-specific egg hunts beginning at 1:00 PM, and don’t miss the chance to snap a keepsake photo with the Easter Bunny at the Life of the Party photo booth. The fun continues with live music from The Wildlife Specials from 1:00–4:00 PM, followed by an evening set from Gilleran's Island from 6:00–9:00 PM.
Easter On Your Own
Of course, you don't have to seek out planned events to make the best of your Easter vacation on the coast. You and your peeps can make your own memories by simply being here at the beach! Some fun ways to make lifelong Easter memories during your stay:
- Have a picnic at the beach or state parks
- Make a home-cooked (or home-grilled) meal at your vacation rental
- Plan your own egg hunt at your beach home
- Take a stroll along the various nature trails
- Hop on a bike and explore the quaint 30A beach towns
- Spend a quiet morning fishing at the coastal dune lakes
- Book a tee time at one of the many golf courses
These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless!
Happily, Easter coincides with the peak bloom of azaleas and other spring flowers, transforming Destin and the Emerald Coast into a canvas of vibrant color. It’s an exceptionally beautiful time to visit. Whether your holiday plans include a heartwarming sunrise service on the beach, a relaxing round of golf or tennis, tropical drinks by the shore, or a festive family feast, you’ll find that Mother Nature provides the perfect backdrop for every moment.
At Ocean Reef Resorts, we cherish these seasonal celebrations and invite you to create lasting Easter memories with your loved ones in one of our luxurious Destin vacation rentals. Let this be the start of a new tradition—surrounded by the warmth, beauty, and joy of the Emerald Coast.
Explore our curated collection of Destin vacation rentals and secure your place in paradise today. From all of us at Ocean Reef, we wish you a blessed and joy-filled Easter.
