Your 2012 event planner

It’s never too early to start planning to have fun. Here is a rundown of the big events in Destin and Walton County in the year ahead.

JANUARY

Gumbo contest: Annual event sponsored by the Destin History & Fishing Museum.

Winter Concert Series: Sundays at HarborWalk Village in Destin

Winter visitors: Special events through end of February at local venues.

30A Song Songwriters Festival: Three nights and two days of musical performances by industry greats, rising songwriting stars and local talent Jan. 13.

Farmers Market: Saturday mornings year round at the Seaside Amphitheater.

FEBRUARY

Mardi Gras: Parades and activities at HarborWalk Village in Destin, on Okaloosa Island and also special events at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.

Gumbo festival: Sandestin Gumbo Cook-off at The Village of Baytowne Wharf has music, family entertainment and food.

Chautauqua Assembly: Recreates traditions from 1885-1920 in DeFuniak Springs.

Valentine Tour of Homes: Four to five homes open in Santa Rosa Beach.

Artwalks: Music, art and more at Ruskin Place in Seaside first Friday of every month.

Girls Getaway Weekend: Music, workshops and receptions in Rosemary Beach.

MARCH

Cobia tournaments: In March and April during cobia season, several tournaments are held at various venues.

St. Patrick’s Day: Events and parades at HarborWalk Village, Baytowne Wharf and local pubs, restaurants and the iconic McGuire’s.

Wednesday Night Concert Series: Free music at Baytowne Wharf continues through December.

Spring break: Two months of special concerts and events begins for spring breakers and families in Destin and South Walton.

APRIL

Sandestin Wine Festival: Annual 4-day event at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Destin Charity Wine Auction: Wine aficionados, gourmet chefs and celebrity vintners from around the world enjoy world-class wines.

MAY

ArtsQuest: Week long Fine Arts & Music Festival in Seaside with more than 100 artists.

Concerts in the Park: Every Thursday night in May and June at The Village Green of the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin.

Blessing of the Fleet: Clergy bless the boats in this annual eent on Ascension Day at Destin harbor. In 2012, on May 17 as part of Destin’s Week of Blessings.

Memorial Day: Activities throughout Sandestin, Destin and 30A.

JUNE

Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic: Annual fishing tournament at Sandestin. Last Year Emeril Lagasse even participated!

Digital Graffiti: World’s first projection art festival, with artists projecting their works onto the white walls at Alys Beach.

Seaside Summer Concerts: Free concerts on Wednesdays through August at the Seaside Amphitheatre.

Moonlight and Movies: Free family movies under the stars on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach.

HarborWalk Village: Throughout the summer, weekly concerts and a salute to local heroes at their Red, White and Blue celebration. Fireworks and flyovers are also commonplace.

Bowlegs: The Billy Bowlegs Festival in Fort Walton Beach is named for a pirate once notorious in these waters. A week-long party, it kicks off with the Krewe of Bowlegs Landing in a staged battle, then follows up with a variety of events and spills over the a party on the water at Crab Island.

JULY

Fourth of July: Celebrations, concerts and fireworks at the Destin harbor, at Baytowne Wharf and in South Walton. Fourth of July parade also rolls through Seaside.

Sunset Cinema: Free movies under the stars at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Concerts: Special events at various venues in Destin and South Walton.

AUGUST

Sandestin Music Festival: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort hosts free music on multiple stages throughout the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Emerald Coast Poker Run: Daylong event for boaters in Destin/Fort Walton/Pensacola. Occurs in conjunction with Emerald Coast Boat Week.

SEPTEMBER

Art Expo: Leading artists in three-day event at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin.

OCTOBER

Destin Seafood Festival: Great seafood, local entertainment, children's activities, and a variety of arts and crafts vendors at the free event on the harbor.

Rodeo: The month-long Destin Fishing Rodeo is on the docks at Destin’s harbor. Fish weigh-ins take place daily.

Festival of the Arts: Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s annual art show at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin.

Halloween: Haunted houses, ghost tours, costume contests in Destin and South Walton.

Flutterby Festival: Children’s art festival in Santa Rosa Beach celebrates the Monarch Butterfly.

Autumn Playwright Festival: Seaside Repertory Theatre presents two weeks  of stage performances and more.

NOVEMBER

Seeing Red Wine Festival: Wine, music and southern hospitality at the four-day event in Seaside.

MountainFilm on Tour: A selection of films from Colorado’s Telluride Film Festival at WaterColor in Walton County.

Festival of Trees: Decorated Christmas trees from area non-profit organizations on display through December.

Taste of The Beach: Brings six wine and culinary events to South Walton.

December

Parades and tree lightings: Every community celebrates the season with Santa, parades and trees. Destin rolls out a parade on land and sea.

Concerts: Special events with holiday music.

New Year’s Eve: Fireworks and music at Destin harbor, Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin and Seaside.