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Holiday Lights : Holiday Spirit In South Walton
November 1, 2017 - Laura Bernstien
Photo Credit – www.30a.com
The holidays are very important for me and I soak them in each year. Locals enjoy the holidays here on the Emerald Coast of Florida but visitors are increasingly making it their go-to destination. The neighborhoods and towns in South Walton glow with the bright holiday lights, and the beach communities never hold back to dazzle the spectators and visitors during each holiday season. If you are thinking about traveling to enjoy the holidays this year, here’s some places to get in the spirit:
Rosemary Beach
It is charming in South Walton’s Rosemary Beach community 365 days a year but it is extra special around the holidays. The Christmas lights around there are adorned all over the oaks along Barrett Square. This gives the town a warm, magical glow. At the peak of Rosemary Beach community’s Christmas decorations lies a magnificent 25-foot Norwegian Spruce that is set against the scenery of the Town Hall. I have found this to be one of my favorite spots to hang out with friends during the holidays.
Rosemary Beach
PO Box 611040
Rosemary Beach, FL 32461
(866) 348-8952
Baytowne Wharf
During the holidays, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a marvel during the holidays but it is their entertainment hub Baytowne Wharf Village that puts on a show, and I mean this literally. Throughout December, you can enjoy a delightful show over the waters set to beloved holiday sounds and tunes. The entertainment event goes on each Friday night and Saturday night, and it leads up to the finale on Christmas. The shows provide family-friendly engagement and Sandestin’s greater resort provides all of the golfing, moonlit walks on the beach, and nature walks that you could want.
Baytown Wharf
at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
(800) 622-1038
9300 US Highway 98 W
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Alys Beach
Alys Beach has a 30-feet Christmas tree in its amphitheater, serving as the centerpiece of the holiday decorations the town has to display. You won’t want to miss the beautiful sight of beautiful garlands that hang across their stretch of Scenic Highway 30a. I usually use this as a perfect area for a photo opp to get that before-sundown picture. Wreaths can also be found hanging throughout properties, and well-decorated trees can be located all around the Alys Beach Fonville Press and Sales Center. Decorations and lighting in the beach provide me with a good environment to take memorable photos with friends and family. Alys Beach is one of my favorite beach towns on South Walton’s 30a so Alys Beach will always be a recommendation.
Alys Beach
9581 County HWY 30A East
Alys Beach, Florida 32413
(866) 732 – 760
(850) 213 – 5500
Grand Boulevard
The Grand Boulevard Sandestin Town Center delves into the holiday spirit with decorations and lights, and the main highlight of this is a Festival of Trees at the courtyard. Up to twelve trees are beautifully decorated and will always be displayed throughout Christmas. Grand Boulevard is part of Sandestin but sits on Highway 98, just outside the side gate of Sandestin’s north side (bayside). It has great shopping, restaurants, and weekend farmer’s markets so it is a great place to visit in general. It’s also home of recently opened Emeril’s Coastal Italian which is Chef Emeril’s only Emeril’s restaurant in Northwest Florida.
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
495 Grand Boulevard, Suite 220
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
(850) 837 – 3099
Seaside
Seaside is one of the most beloved beach towns along South Walton’s 30a as well as one of the most photographed areas on the Emerald Coast of Florida. It’s so scenic that it was used as the primary filming location for The Truman Show. It’s just as wonderful during the holidays. It has a 24-foot tree that is always standing tall at the Amphitheater. The town glows with the twinkling lights, making it the perfect holiday spot for me to walk to get immersed into the fantastic holiday spirit.
Seaside
Scenic Highway 30A
Seaside, Florida, FL 32459