Posted on 12/2/2025By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
December on 30A has a feeling all its own. The beaches are quieter, the pace softens, and the whole coast takes on a relaxed, festive glow. It’s the kind of atmosphere that invites you to slow down, savor your surroundings, and make space for a little creativity during your stay.
It’s also one of the most rewarding times to visit. After more than 40 years of welcoming guests to South Walton, Ocean Reef Resorts has seen how winter reveals a different side of 30A—calm, inspiring, and full of experiences you might overlook during the busier seasons.
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.
As a longtime supporter of the Cultural Arts Alliance—including serving as a Headline Lodging Partner for the 30A Songwriters Festival and being honored as a recent Partner of the Year—Ocean Reef Resorts is proud to help champion the creative community that makes moments like these workshops possible.
These hands-on classes are a wonderful way to elevate your holiday trip, whether you're planning a family-friendly activity, looking for a relaxing afternoon outing, or hoping to tap into your artistic side. December’s lineup has something for every age and skill level.
Here’s a look at the workshops happening this season at this local creative retreat.
Painting with Pastels
Dates: Tuesday, December 2 & Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost: $30 for CAA members, $35 for non-members
These small-group pastel sessions, hosted by artist Melody Bogle, offer a welcoming environment for anyone who wants to explore soft pastels in a hands-on, approachable way. Participants bring their own photographs—often beach memories or sunset shots—and learn foundational pastel techniques such as layering, blending, and building depth with light and color.
This class is ideal for beginners wanting guidance, as well as returning artists seeking a fresh creative spark.
Brush & Breath – Meditative Watercolors
Dates: Wednesday, December 3, 10 & 17, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Cost: $30 for CAA members, $35 for non-members
Held on three Wednesdays this month, this watercolor class hosted by artist Theresia McInnis blends art instruction with a soothing, mindful pace—perfect for resetting during a busy holiday season. Each session focuses on a monthly theme, introducing simple demos and step-by-step exercises that help beginners understand watercolor flow, layering, and composition.
More experienced painters appreciate the opportunity to refine their techniques in a calm, creative setting.
Creative Kids Night – The Polar Express
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Cost: $60
Kids get an evening packed with holiday joy, and parents get a well-earned night out—everyone wins. Young artists will create winter-themed snow globes, enjoy hot cocoa and pizza, and settle in for a cozy holiday movie night inspired by The Polar Express. Pajamas are encouraged, creativity is guaranteed, and your child brings home a handmade keepsake.
It’s a festive, memory-making evening that adds a little extra magic to your 30A holiday stay.
Related Video:
If you enjoy discovering the artistic side of 30A, you’ll love taking a closer look at one of the Cultural Arts Alliance’s many impactful public art projects: the Inlet Beach Underpass. This pedestrian tunnel, tucked beneath the intersection at 30Avenue and Highway 98, has quickly become a beloved local landmark—not only for its safer, easier beach access, but for the vibrant murals that line its 136-foot walkway.
The underpass features large-scale works from ten talented artists who each brought their own interpretation of life along the Emerald Coast. From bold, sun-splashed palettes to imaginative scenes inspired by nature, community, and the rhythm of coastal living, the murals turn a simple walk through the tunnel into an immersive art experience. It’s part of the CAA’s ongoing commitment to enhance public spaces through creativity, connection, and community storytelling.
We put together a video tour highlighting the murals and the artists behind them—it’s a colorful glimpse into the creative heartbeat of Inlet Beach and an inspiring reminder of how deeply art is woven into everyday life along 30A.
Come Play with Clay – Holiday Gnomes
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost: $65
This open-studio clay session, hosted by Sarah Bumanglag, gives each participant 2 lbs of clay and the freedom to sculpt their own holiday creation. December’s suggested project is a whimsical holiday gnome, but participants are welcome to design anything they imagine—bowls, ornaments, small sculptures, or coastal-inspired keepsakes.
The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and beginner-friendly, making it a great morning activity for families and groups staying nearby.
Ceramic Holiday Ornaments
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Times: 1:30–2:30 PM and 2:00–3:00 PM
Cost: $55
This hands-on workshop with Jessica Batson invites guests of all ages to craft three ceramic holiday ornaments from clay and personalize them using glaze or underglaze. Whether your style is coastal, classic, colorful, or minimalist, the final pieces become lasting reminders of your winter stay on 30A.
It’s a favorite among families, couples, and anyone who loves meaningful holiday traditions.
Private Art Classes at the Bayou Arts Center
If you’re planning a group getaway this holiday season, consider arranging a custom art class at the Bayou Arts Center. Private sessions are available for families, friend groups, corporate gatherings, bachelorette trips, and holiday parties. You can select your preferred medium—from painting to clay to jewelry making—and the CAA team will handle the rest.
To inquire or schedule a holiday event, email hello@culturalartsalliance.com.
To view the full schedule, check availability, or reserve your spot, simply book online through the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Their website lists current dates, class details, and registration options so you can easily add a creative workshop to your 30A vacation plans.
Experience the Creative Side of 30A
December along 30A is a time to unwind, explore, and discover something new. These workshops highlight the artistic spirit of our coastal communities and offer a meaningful way to enrich your holiday getaway.
If you're planning a winter escape, Ocean Reef Resorts offers a curated collection of 30A vacation rentals—from charming beach cottages to Gulf-view condos and spacious retreats close to the Bayou Arts Center and the season’s most festive happenings. Pair your stay with one of these creative sessions, and you’ll experience 30A the way locals do: warm, inspiring, and full of holiday charm.
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.
