Posted on 3/8/2024
Easter season is a magical time for gatherings 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 seen countless guests make Easter an annual tradition, choosing our serene shores for their family trips and friendly reunions. And it's easy to see why.
Imagine the soft, sugar-white sands underfoot, warmed by the gentle sun, as it casts a sparkling glow across the emerald-hued waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In Destin, spring blooms in full vibrancy, a stark contrast to the lingering cold in the north. Here, Mother Nature eagerly shares her floral gifts, setting the perfect scene for your Easter celebrations.
Easter on in Destin and along the Emerald Coast is a time of renewal, celebration, and togetherness, offering a perfect blend of spiritual reflection and festive fun. Imagine welcoming the dawn with a heartwarming sunrise service on our sugar-white beaches, a truly serene way to commemorate Easter's spiritual significance. But the celebration doesn't stop there. Our coast comes alive with vibrant Easter Egg hunts, visits from the Easter Bunny, and an array of spring-inspired events and activities that promise joy for the whole family. Whether you're drawn to the sacred or the secular, Destin and the Emerald Coast offer an unforgettable backdrop for your Easter traditions.
Ready to make unforgettable Easter memories? Dive into our curated list of Easter festivities in Destin and along the Emerald Coast below. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, your perfect holiday awaits.
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 March 31.
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 March 31.
The City of Destin hosts an annual egg hunt at the Morgan Sports Center. The hunt will take place on Easter Eve, March 30, with the specific time TBD.
The Easter Bunny will also visit the charming Village of Baytowne Wharf at the world-famous Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Miramar Beach. The entire afternoon has been set aside for engaging family activities, including live music, crafts, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, and more. The event runs from 12 pm-3 pm on Saturday, March 30.
30A’s iconic Seaside beach community hosts an incredible Easter Celebration every year, and this year is no different. Over 15,000 bright eggs full of treats will cover the amphitheater lawn, making for a huge, family-friendly egg hunt! Following the hunt, there will be fun activities for guests of all ages. The celebration starts at 11 am and goes to 2 pm on Easter Sunday.
There is certainly no shortage of Easter festivities here on the Emerald Coast, and Rosemary Beach is another cute beach town that participates in springtime fun. The annual Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt kicks off at 9:45 am on Sunday, March 31. The event includes an egg hunt that starts everything off and then Easter Bunny photos right afterward. Adults receive a complimentary mimosa at Summer Kitchen Café.
Head to The Big Chill (formerly known as the Hub) in Watersound for another hopping Easter celebration. This fun event features photos with the Easter Bunny and a unique egg hunt where participants will stop by participating shops to collect eggs trick-or-treat style! The event occurs on March 31 from 1 pm to 3 pm, with the egg hunt specifically happening from 2 pm to 2:30 pm.
Easter isn’t just for your two-legged family members, but the four-legged ones as well! Dog-Harmony will host the ninth annual Doggie EGGstravaganza at Grand Boulevard, which is a canine-only Easter egg hunt. Each participant receives a bag to collect eggs, puppy treats, and people prizes that are scattered across the Grand Boulevard lawn. All dogs must be leashed. A $15 donation is encouraged for pup participants. The event will include snacks, beer, wine, prizes, and family-friendly games. This fun egg hunt will take place March 29 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
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 on March 31 at 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 10 am to 2 pm. Cost is $95 for adults and $35 for children.
Take part in a decadent Easter brunch at Pescado Seafood Grill and Rooftop Bar in 30A's Rosemary Beach. Guests over 21 will receive a welcome mimosa! This brunch buffet is on Sunday, March 31, and will last from 9 am to 2:30 pm, with the last seating at 1:15 pm. Cost is $79/adult and $35/child.
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, March 30 and 31
9 am-1 pm, March 30
9 am-1 pm, March 30
9 am-1 pm, March 31
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 Great Easter Race is a fun run that supports the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. This race includes a 5K course and two separate 10K courses. The Clean Feet 5K and 10K courses are on a completely paved surface, while the Dirty Feet 10K course takes you through sand and trails. All trails are within Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The race begins at 7 am on Saturday, March 30. Sign up here.
If you want to experience a unique Easter adventure, hop on board the SS Solaris for a gourmet meal on the water. The leisurely 2.5-hour cruise will take you on a journey across the Choctawhatchee Bay, where you will be served an incredible chef-prepared meal. The menu includes your choice of ribs, frittata, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, a quinoa bowl, and pizza for the kids. Dessert is a Carrot Cake Bread Pudding. Add a fun surprise by purchasing an Easter basket to be delivered directly to your table. Enjoy all this while basking in glorious views of the bay, where dolphins often like to play. The cruise sets sail on March 31 at 11:15 am. Use Coupon Code EASTER10 for a 10% discount. Sign up here.
Spend a relaxing hour decorating Easter-inspired sugar cookies at Poppy's Club at Henderson Beach Resort. Great activity for the whole family!
La Luna Children's Boutique at Grand Boulevard is hosting a Spring Fashion Show on Saturday, March 9, from 4 pm-5:30 pm. This fun event will showcase everything new for spring on the north lawn at Grand Boulevard. The Easter Bunny will be popping in for a visit. Plus, there will be photo ops, music, local vendors, and refreshments for guests!
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 for us, Easter aligns with the peak of the azaleas and other springtime flowers, illuminating Destin and the Emerald Coast in vibrant colors and making it an exceptionally beautiful time for a visit. Whether your Easter plans include attending a heartwarming sunrise service on the beach, enjoying a round of golf or tennis, sipping tropical drinks by the shore, or indulging in a festive feast, you'll find that Mother Nature has prepared a perfect backdrop for every moment. At Ocean Reef, we cherish these seasonal celebrations and invite you to create lasting memories with your loved ones in one of our luxurious Destin vacation rentals. Let this Easter be the start of a new tradition for your family, surrounded by the beauty and warmth of the Emerald Coast. Explore our special Easter accommodations and make your reservation today to ensure your place in paradise is secured. Wishing you a blessed Easter filled with love and joy from all of us here at Ocean Reef.
