Do you want to ditch the cold winter weather of your hometown and have Thanksgiving at the beach? There is no better place to escape reality than a holiday vacation to the Emerald Coast. With its breathtaking scenery, luxury amenities, kind people, and incredible events, this strip of Florida is where you want to be! Curious about what will entertain you while you are here? Check out these ideas on how to celebrate Thanksgiving on the beach.
Five Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving on the Florida Panhandle
#1: Visit Local Farmer’s Markets
One of our top recommendations when touring the Emerald Coast is to stop by the farmer’s markets. At each market, you will find a wide variety of stalls run by local farmers, crafters, and other lovely people. It is the perfect place to stock up on seasonal produce, rich cheeses, homemade desserts, jarred delights, hand-baked bread, as well as fun crafts, trinkets, and souvenirs. Remember, a good guest always brings the host a gift!
#2: Sight See Holiday Lights
What better way to kick off the holiday season than to check out local holiday light displays? Here on the Emerald Coast, we take our holiday lights seriously! We recommend taking a driving tour around to see all we have to offer in the way of sparkle and shine.
Our top picks are Candy Cane Lane in Destin, the Northgate Estates Luminaries in Fort Walton Beach, and Rosemary Beach in 30A. Plus, we recommend staying in tune with local news to see when and where the holiday boat parade will happen! For more places to be dazzled, check out this comprehensive list!
#3: Run in a 10K
Each year, 30A hosts a 10K Thanksgiving Day Race where the proceeds are donated to local charities to benefit this wonderful community. So far, the races have raised over $550,000! Anyone can sign up, but you must register in advance. So, if you feel like burning some calories before gorging on pumpkin pie, make sure to sign up soon.
#4: Explore the Natural Beauty
Rather than ground covered in thick snow, we have snow-white beaches that you can explore. While it might be a bit colder than the summer months, the winter is especially beautiful on the Emerald Coast. There are a variety of outdoor adventures waiting for you, from simply taking a walk on the crystal white beaches to going on a boat cruise or roasting marshmallows at a beach bonfire!
#5: Join in at Local Events
To truly experience Thanksgiving on the beach, you must do as the locals do. We recommend keeping an eye out for events by visiting the local Chamber of Commerce’s website and event calendars. Each calendar has up-to-date information on what events are happening close to you and how you can access them!
Stay at 30A Vacation Rentals
Rather than staying at a crowded hotel, you can relax in your very own vacation rental.
Whether you are visiting family or getting out of town for some peace and quiet, we have the perfect locations for solo travelers, couples, a family, or a big group. You will have access to our famous sugar-white beaches, easy convenience to local amenities, and a memorable experience that will last a lifetime.
To learn more about our available vacation rentals, click HERE! You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.