Events

SoWal goes all out to celebrate the Fourth! It's the busiest and brightest weekend of the year, and this year carries extra meaning as our beach towns celebrate America's 250th birthday. 

If you walk down the pastel-colored, picture-perfect streets of Seaside, Florida, for the first time, you might get a strange sense of deja vu. That is because nearly three decades ago, our quiet 80-acre coastal town transformed into "Seahaven Island"—the fictional, hyper-idyllic town built inside a giant Hollywood dome for Peter Weir’s 1998 satirical creation, The Truman Show.  

The 24th annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic takes place June 17 - 21, 2026.

Timed to coincide with the peak of the Gulf Coast’s blue marlin season, and located at the South’s number-one ranked resort destination, the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort sets the new precedent for world-class sportfishing tournaments.

The South Walton Fire District Junior Lifeguard Program returns this summer with more than 200 participants preparing to dive into a season of beach safety education, lifesaving skills, and hands-on surf rescue training along the Emerald Coast.

The program kicks off Tuesday, June 2, and once again features both Foundations and Advanced curriculum tracks, allowing first-time and returning Junior Lifeguards to learn at a pace tailored to their experience level.

The Paper Bear, a feature-length film and conservation initiative by The Paper Bear nonprofit, will air in as part of Central Square Cinema Series on June 7, July 12 & 24.

Grab your blankets & chairs and head to the Seaside Lyceum Lawn for a family movie under the stars. The movie begins at 8:00 PM, weather permitting. 

Planning and Construction has taken years, but now we have an official opening date of June 15th for The Grayton Beach Community Center, a new building, tram stop, and boardwalks in "downtown" Grayton Beach just west of the Red Bar.

Read more about the Grayton Beach Community Center on the SoWal Forum Post & Discussion.

It's nearing the time of year when being entertained indoors with air conditioning is a desirable activity. After you've soaked up some sun, after a hard day's work or play, we've got you covered. This July you can catch the latest production from Grit & Grace, our beloved community theater with roots in local history and events from Walton County's colorful past.  

Camp Helen State Park invites you to go beyond your park visit, joining a Park Ranger for a nature hike held each first Thursday of the month at 10AM on Camp Helen's user-friendly trail system. Learn about the park's flora and fauna and the larger ecosystem of the Florida Panhandle. The hike lasts about an hour and is great for all experience levels and requires moderate endurance.

Just to the east of SoWal in Panama City Beach, Dolly Parton has brought a large dose of swashbuckling excitement, and you are invited to trade your beach towel for a pirate hat.

If you are looking for an action-packed escape that takes family entertainment to a whole new level, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Panama City Beach is delivering a legendary coastal spectacle that you truly have to see to believe.

Summer is teeing up for a great day of sport and philanthropy as Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) launches its first-ever Charity Golf Tournament.