Christmas comes to the coast

Holiday happenings in and around Okaloosa and Walton counties include:

Tree lighting

The 24th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, hosted by the City of Destin, will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Destin Community Center. This outdoor event is for the entire family and features a visit from Santa Claus. Entertainment and refreshments will be served after the lighting. Donations of toys and canned food will be collected for families in need. Call 654-5184.

Sounds of the Season

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will present their annual Christmas concert, Sounds of the Season, at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Village Baptist Church. A 150-member community choir representing five local Destin churches will collaborate on sacred and Christmas classics. Destin United Methodist, Destin Assembly of God, Grace Lutheran, Shoreline and Village Baptist will perform on stage with special musical soloists, quartets and ensembles.

Admission is a donation of child’s toy to be distributed among the participating church’s outreach ministry to families in need. A love offering at intermission will benefit the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Amphitheater & Village Green project towards a matching grant fund. Call 650-2226.

Holiday Classics

Watch classic Christmas movies at 6 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 and 24 on the HarborWalk stage while drinking hot chocolate. 

Cooking demonstration

Learn tips for holiday entertaining when Fresh Market in Destin hosts a cooking demonstration from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3.

The Wonder of Christmas

The Christian Symphonic Band and Strings presents its holiday program, The Wonder of Christmas, at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Navarre United Methodist Church, 9474 Navarre Parkway and 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, U.S. 98 and Wright Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. The concerts are free with a love offering taken.

Movie night

A free movie, “Fred Claus,” can be seen at 5 p.m. Dec. 4 at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and coolers. (No pets or glass containers.)

Christmas for the Birds

The friends of the Coastal Branch Library will hold their annual “Christmas for the Birds” from 12 to 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Children of all ages can make edible ornaments for the birds to eat and decorate the outdoor Christmas tree for the birds. Santa will arrive on the fire engine around 1 p.m. with goodies for all the children. There will also be a storytime and refreshments.

Santa at HarborWalk Village

Children can visit with Jolly Ole Saint Nick from 12 to 4 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18; from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12; and from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Photos will be taken by HD Action Photography. 

Charity Gift Wrap

Sinfonia Gulf Coast has been chosen for the fifth year as the recipient of Silver Sands’ Annual Charity Gift Wrap Dec. 4-24. Volunteers will wrap presents for donations ranging from $2 to $15 from 12 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Dec. 4-10 and 12 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10-23; 12 to 6 p.m. Sundays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Tour of Homes

Partners In Progress of DeFuniak Springs has announced their 20th annual Tour of Homes will be held Dec. 4 with guided tours at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and then self-guided tours from 12 to 4 p.m. These homes will be decked out in all their Christmas finery and feature a variety in style and architecture. Tickets are $16.85 each (plus tax) and can be purchased at the Welcome Center on Circle Drive, next to the Walton County Heritage Museum.

Partners In Progress is also offering their Lil' Trolley Candlelight Tour to enjoy Christmas Reflections, the dazzling light show on the shores of Lake DeFuniak. At scheduled stops on the tour, visitors will be able to visit a selection of Victorian homes in full holiday splendor. The Lil' Trolley Candlelight Tours begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for these tours are available at the First United Methodist Church parking lot and are $18.75 (plus tax).

Festival of Trees

Get the holiday season kicked into high gear by attending the Festival of Trees from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 and 1 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood. Nearly two dozen trees, wreaths and decorations will be on display throughout the weekend, and all have been donated by various businesses, clubs and organizations from around the county.

A Grand Boulevard Holiday

For information on events at Grand Boulevard, call 654-5929 or visit www.grandboulevard.com.

•Santa photos: Have free photos made with Santa Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Learning Express Toys and from 3 to 4 p.m. at Pretty Please Children’s Boutique.

•Pet photos with Santa: Have your pet’s picture taken with Santa from 12 to 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at The Orvis Company. Cost is $5, with all proceeds going to Alaqua Animal Refuge.

•12 Days of Christmas Trees: A Christmas tree decorating contest among local non-profit organizations Dec. 10-21 with tree decorating winners announced at 2 p.m. Dec. 18. View and vote for trees on display.

Breakfast with Santa

Van R. Butler Elementary School will hold its 13th Annual Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4. Santa arrives at 9 a.m. Event features breakfast, pictures with Santa, crafts for the kids, bid on gingerbread houses and a silent auction of themed gift baskets.

Charity Gift Wrap

Sinfonia Gulf Coast has been chosen for the fifth year as the recipient of Silver Sands’ Annual Charity Gift Wrap Dec. 4-24. Volunteers will wrap presents for donations ranging from $2 to $15 from 12 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Dec. 4-10 and 12 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10-23; 12 to 6 p.m. Sundays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve.

Christmas in the Village Craft Show

The Destin Community Center will host its Annual Christmas Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Crafts will include jewelry, silk florals, food products and handmade items as well as boutique gifts. A concession area will be open. Admission is free. Call 654-5184.

Camp Walton Schoolhouse Holiday Open House

The Holiday Christmas Open House at the Camp Walton Schoolhouse and the Garnier Post Office will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Enjoy live musical entertainment, children’s games and crafts, home baked goodies, local history and a visit from Santa. Antique cars will be on display throughout the day. Santa will arrive at the schoolhouse on an antique fire truck at 4:30 p.m. and he will light the tree at 6 p.m.

Christmas Cantata

Point Washington United Methodist Church will have a Christmas Cantata at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 in the Family Life Center. All are invited. A nursery will be available.

Breakfast with Santa

Lil’ rockers are invited to Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 5, 11 and 12 at Hard Rock Café in Destin Commons. Guests will be treated to reserved seating and a buffet style breakfast as Mr. and Mrs. Claus visit tables to hear Christmas wishes. Each child will also have the chance to have his/her picture taken with Santa and will receive a party bag filled with rockin’ holiday goodies. Cost is $9.95 and includes tax and gratuity. Children ages 2 and under are free with paid adult. Reservations are required at 654-3310.

Christmas Tour of Homes

The Freeport Town Planters Society will host its Sixth Annual Christmas Tour of Homes from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. Houses include The Blount house in Freeport behind The Old Post Office across from Kelly’s; Russ Barley and Tim Ard home in Waterview Cove off of Bay Loop Road west of Freeport; Leta-Fern and Michael Bickers home on Whitfield Road off of Hwy. 20 in Portland; and Jacque and Harroll Castle horse ranch on Hwy. 20 in Portland.

Tickets are $5 presale and $7 at the event. Proceeds will help fund the various civic projects of the Planters, especially the beautification of Freeport. Tickets may be purchased at Emerald Coast Flowers, the Ard Gallery and The Prissy Hen all in Freeport, or from any TPS member. Call 307-5445 or 835-5611.

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra presents A “Baroque Christmas” concert featuring the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus and orchestra performing an array of some of the finest seasonal music of the 18th century at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the main theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at NWF State College. Tickets, $22.50/adults and $16 youth age 18 and younger or active duty military, are on sale at www.mattiekellyartscenter.org, by phone at 729-6000, or in person from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office. Tickets are also available at the door starting at 6 p.m. the night of the concert for the same price as advance tickets. 

Camouflage and Christmas Lights for the Fisher House

Wear your most festive camouflage attire and join Howl at the Moon in support of the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast at 7 p.m. Dec. 10. A $10 donation includes Howl at the Moon dueling piano show, two drink tickets and a raffle with prizes including a three night/four day stay at a Trinidad Vacation Home in Destin for six. You must be present to win. Donations from all ticket sales prior to Dec. 10 go directly to the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. To purchase tickets, call 883-8072 or e-mail Julie@ fisherhouseemeraldcoast.org.

Christmas Parade

The City of Destin’s 25th Annual Christmas Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 11. The floats will start at Downtown Destin Shopping Center and travel down U.S. 98 to Stahlman Avenue. For those who wish to put a float in the parade, applications are free and available at the Destin Community Center. Applications must be turned in by Dec. 3. This year’s theme is “Christmas Movies.” Call 654-5184.

Peter White Christmas

Peter White will take to the stage with his friends Rick Braun and Mindi Abair at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 on the Mainstage at Mattie Kelly Arts Center.  Tickets are $75/Special Seating and $25/Reserved Seating.  Call 729-6000.

Holiday open house

Alaqua Animal Refuge, will host its third annual holiday open house from 12 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. The family friendly event will feature live entertainment by the band Blackwater, holiday treats and beverages, photos with Santa, a petting zoo and children’sgames, while showcasing the unique refuge in Freeport.

Guests will have the chance to meet Champ, a miniature horse that was rescued in September and quickly became an international Internet sensation through his courageous tale of survival.

Also, a holiday shopping fair with groups of local youth, civic and service organizations and interested shelter supporters, along with artists and retailers, will sell products and services to raise funds for Alaqua.

A suggested donation of $5 for guests 13 and older will be collected at the entrance, and each donor will receive five $1 tickets redeemable at the holiday shopping fair. Call 880-6399.

Yule of Yesteryear

The City of Valparaiso and the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will host Yule of Yesteryear, a free family fun holiday celebration, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. The Spirit of Christmas will fill the air with music from the Niceville Dulcimers and special musical performances by Pro Arte Chorall group and Niceville High School’s Opus One.  Enjoy storytelling from the Valparaiso Library, ornament making and a special visit from Santa Clause. Witness traditional craft demonstrations and shop for unique gifts and affordable stocking stuffers in the Heritage Museum Gift Shop & Bookstore. Hot chocolate and Kettle Korn will be available outside and mulled cider and sweets inside at the Holiday Bake Sale. 

Holiday Delights

A musical and culinary treat, Holiday Delights at 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at Tyler Recital Hall at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center presents the NWF State College Madrigals, a select 27-voice mixed ensemble of scholarship vocalists, and Belle Voci, a select 13-voice student women’s ensemble, to perform holiday selections ranging from Renaissance to vocal jazz and gospel. Following the performance, an array of gourmet cookies and coffee will delight the palate. Tickets are available for $15 from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office, by phone at 729-6000, in person at the door starting at 2 p.m. the day of the event. Proceeds benefit the choral program at NWF State College.

Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade

The Destin History and Fishing Museum will host the 24th Annual Holiday on the Harbor Destin Boat Parade Dec. 12. Festivities will be held that afternoon all along the harbor and the Lighted Boat Parade and judging will start at 6 p.m. upstairs at Harry T’s Restaurant. Boats will start lining up in the harbor between 5 and 5:30 p.m. The parade can be viewed from docks and restaurants west of Grand Harbor Condominiums on Destin harbor.

All commercial, charter, and private boats are invited to help light up the harbor with the true Destin spirit.  Pick up an entry form in person at the Museum, Destin Community Center, City Hall, Destin Chamber of Commerce, or many harbor businesses.  Request a fax or e-mail copy by calling 850-837-6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@embarqmail.com. There is a $25 entry fee per boat.

There will be seven categories: Private 30 ft. and under, private 31 ft. and over, charter/commercial boat 30 ft. and under, charter/commercial boat 31 ft. and over, tour boat/motorized, sailboat 30 ft. and under, sailboat 31 ft. and over. Prizes will be awarded in each category.

Holiday activities at HarborWalk Village include live music, children’s arts and crafts and hot chocolate with Santa Claus from 3 to 6 p.m.

A Season of Song

The Niceville High School Choral Music Department will present their annual holiday concert, “A Season of Song”, at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College. Tickets may be purchased in the Chorus Office at Niceville High School, Bayou Books in the Oak Creek Shopping Center in Niceville and in Destin at Silver Sands Factory Stores at the Shoppers Services kiosk. Tickets may be paid for with cash or a check made payable to Niceville High School Chorus.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told

Seaside Repertory Theatre will wrap up its 10th anniversary season with the madcap holiday romp, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-30 at Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre.

Tickets are $25 and are available online at seasiderep.org, by phone at 231-0733 or may be purchased in person at Amavida Coffee in Seaside or Rosemary Beach. Discounted tickets are available for Rep Members, students, military with ID, and for groups of six or more. For this performance only, opening weekend tickets are just $20 at the door. 

Christmas Music Spectacular

An evening of music begins at 5 p.m. Dec. 17 at HarborWalk Village and includes Ron Adams as Elvis and duets with entertainers sharing Christmas memories in music. Charles Dickens characters and Scrooge will make appearances. Santa portraits and Christmas crafts for children to take home for gifts will make this a night to remember.

Kids’ Night Out with Santa

A Christmas Kids’ Night Out will be offered from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Destin Community Center. This is the opportunity for parents to go out shopping, while their children ages 5-12 spend a supervised evening with friends, games, pizza, a movie and a visit from Santa Claus. The cost is $20/child for Destin residents and $30/non-Destin residents. Registration is required in advance.  Call 654-5184.

Holiday baking class

Chef Jim Shirah will hold a holiday baking class for ages 8 to 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 21 and/or 22 at the Destin Community Center. Each student will learn how to bake several holiday cookies, treats and more. Register at 654-5184.

Countdown Seaside

A New Year’s Eve Celebration, a family-friendly party featuring live entertainment, kid’s art projects, street performers and a fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico, begins at 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve and lasts until 12 a.m. New Year’s Day.

The celebration kicks off in the Amphitheater with a performance by Dawes at 7 p.m., followed by Truth & Salvage Co. at 9:30 p.m. Abrakadoodle will offer unique art projects from 7 to 11 p.m. These projects will be free and include making celebratory party hats, snow globes and even a time capsule where families will be able to place New Year’s wishes and resolutions.

New Years Eve Celebration 2011

Dine, drink and dance in the New Year at the Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. Don’t miss the Third Annual Destin Harbor Ball drop and choreographed fireworks show. Live music features bands including local favorites, The Forrest Williams Band and Dread Clampitt.

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