Community Events

Niceville will take on a challenging football schedule this fall as the Eagles aim for another successful season. The campaign begins with back-to-back home games against Prattville, Alabama, and West Florida before the team enters district play against Navarre. The schedule also includes marquee matchups with rival Choctawhatchee, Pace, Crestview and Fort Walton Beach, along with a late-season road contest at Dunnellon. Featuring a balanced mix of non-district tests, rivalry games and key district showdowns, the Eagles will face a demanding path as they chase another playoff appearance.

Navarre will face a demanding football schedule this season as the Raiders look to compete for a district championship and a return to the playoffs. The season opens on the road against Escambia before home games with Pine Forest and Niceville, followed by district matchups against Pace, Milton and Gulf Breeze. The Raiders will also take on traditional rivals Crestview and Tate while closing the regular season at home against Mosley. With a schedule featuring longtime rivals, key district contests and several tough opponents, Navarre will be tested each week as it pursues another successful season.

Crestview will take on a demanding football schedule this season as the Bulldogs look to compete for a playoff berth. The season begins with road games against Tate and Baker before the Bulldogs return home to face Fort Walton Beach. The schedule also features key district matchups with Milton, Pace and Navarre, along with rivalry games against Choctawhatchee and Niceville before closing the regular season at Gulf Breeze. With a blend of traditional rivals, district contests and challenging road games, Crestview will be tested throughout the season as it works toward another postseason appearance.

Destin enters the season with a competitive schedule as the Sharks continue building their football program against a mix of district rivals and non-district opponents. The season opens at home against Franklin County before games against Northview, Holmes County and Walton. District play includes matchups with Bozeman, Freeport and South Walton, while the Sharks will also face longtime Panhandle opponents such as Pensacola Catholic and Chipley. With a balanced slate of home and road contests, Destin will look to gain momentum throughout the season and position itself for a strong finish.

Choctawhatchee enters the 2026 football season with another challenging schedule after reaching the state semifinals last year. The Indians will open the regular season on the road against Mosley on Aug. 20 before hosting Auburn, Alabama, the following week. A demanding slate also includes road trips to Pace, Escambia, Milton, Fort Walton Beach and Thompson, Alabama, while home fans will see key matchups against rival Niceville, Booker T. Washington and Gulf Breeze. With a mix of traditional rivals, district games and tough out-of-state competition, Choctaw will look to build on last season's success and make another deep postseason run.

Skybar is the adults-only rooftop bar above the seafood restaurant. Open daily for lunch & dinner, with brunch on weekends, Skybar offers weekday Happy Hour specials on draft beer, house wines, craft cocktails & small plates from 2pm-5pm. Live music plays 7 nights a week plus daytime shows Thursday-Sunday.

Fort Walton Beach faces a challenging football schedule this season as the Vikings look to build momentum and compete for a postseason berth. The regular season opens with a road game at Gulf Breeze before home contests against Milton and Crestview. The Vikings will also square off with district opponents Pace, Navarre and Niceville, in addition to longtime rival Choctawhatchee, before wrapping up the regular season at Tate. With a slate featuring rivalry games, key district matchups and several tough road tests, Fort Walton Beach will be challenged throughout the season in its pursuit of a playoff spot.

The Downtown FWB Coffee Club will preview a packed October calendar at its Community Day gathering on Thursday, October 8, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Florida Place Food Trucks, 211 Florida Place, next to the Fort Walton Beach Library. Stop by for an open mic and updates on local arts, markets, concerts and seasonal events, including the Zombie Walk, Dog Daze and Halloween Midnight Market. Coffee & Connections begins at 8:30 a.m., and 100.3 K-Rock will broadcast live from 7 to 9 a.m.

The Market Shops’ annual Bloody Mary Festival is set to bring an over-the-top fall celebration of food, drinks and live entertainment to Miramar Beach, featuring unlimited samples of handcrafted Bloody Marys created by some of the Emerald Coast’s top restaurants, bars and catering companies. Attendees can also enjoy local food, craft beer, champagne, spiked seltzers and mocktails while exploring vendors, shopping, a cigar bar, an interactive photo booth and live music. The festival will also feature SEC football on a big-screen display, making it a festive tailgate-style experience for guests age 21 and older. Beyond the food and fun, the event supports local causes, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity – Walton County.

Get ready for a spooky night of fun at the Zombie Walk on October 10, 2026, at Downtown Fort Walton Beach Landing Park! Enjoy trick-or-treating from 4–6 PM, followed by a thrilling Thriller dance at 7 PM, while supporting a canned food drive. Come dressed as your favorite zombie, bring canned goods to donate, and join the undead for an evening of Halloween festivities!

Ladies Night Out — Downtown Fort Walton Beach

On Wednesday, October 14th, downtown Fort Walton Beach is turning pink for Ladies Night Out, a special evening celebrating local shopping, dining, drinks, music, and fun with friends. Local boutiques, shops, restaurants, and bars will be offering special promotions throughout the evening, with 100.3 K-Rock broadcasting live from 4–7 PM and the Ladies Night promotions kicking off at 5 PM. It’s a great opportunity to shop local, discover new places, enjoy special deals, and support the businesses that make downtown Fort Walton Beach such a vibrant destination.

Soundside

Soundside is getting in on the Ladies Night fun with $6 Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martinis and $6 Apple Cider Margaritas all night. They’ll also be hosting Open Mic Night from 7–10 PM, so grab your friends, enjoy a drink, and stick around for some great local talent.

Jake and Henry’s

Jake and Henry’s is going all-in for Ladies Night with $6 house martinis, $6 house wines, and $6 wells, plus dance music to keep the party going. Ladies are encouraged to break out their special red dress and make it a true Ladies Night at Jake and Henry’s!

Dog Daze, presented by , is a free, dog-friendly community event scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Landing Park in downtown Fort Walton Beach. Hosted by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, the annual celebration will feature dog contests, local animal rescues, vendors and other activities designed for dogs and their owners. The event is open to the community and offers a fun opportunity for local pet lovers to gather and celebrate their four-legged companions. 

PAWS invites the community to find a new best friend during the Rescue Effect adoption event on Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 752 Lovejoy Road NW in Fort Walton Beach. Adoption fees will be waived for eligible animals, with guided kennel walkthroughs beginning at 11 a.m. to help visitors meet the shelter’s dogs and learn more about their personalities. Plenty of lovable cats will also be waiting to meet their future families. The K-Rock Magic Bus will broadcast live from the event and serve food to those in attendance. Every adoption gives an animal a loving home while creating space for PAWS to rescue another pet in need. Some exclusions apply, and animals must be altered and available for full adoption on the day of the event to qualify for waived fees.

Get ready for a day of food, family, fun and great BBQ at the Smokin’ in the Square BBQ Cookoff on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Sylvester Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway. Guests can sample tons of unique recipes fresh off the grill, enjoy specialty foods and drinks, listen to live music, take part in activities for the kids, and vote for their favorite BBQ team. Admission is $10 online or $12 at the gate, with VIP tickets available for $35 online or $40 at the gate, and kids 10 and under eat free. Best of all, the event combines great food with a great cause, raising money for Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida’s Food Assistance Program and Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence.

The Emerald Coast Hispanic Heritage Festival returns to The Landing in Fort Walton Beach on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, bringing a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture, music, art, food and community to the Emerald Coast. From live performances and authentic cuisine to artisan vendors, cultural demonstrations and family-friendly activities, the free festival offers something for all ages. Attendees can experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Hispanic heritage while connecting with local businesses, artists and community members. The event runs from noon to 9 p.m. and invites everyone to come celebrate, build community and enjoy a day filled with culture and fun.

The 2nd Annual One Hopeful Place Chili Cook-Off, Halloween Skeleton Edition, will bring a spooky twist to a community favorite on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lou’s Tavern. Guests can enjoy an afternoon of hearty chili, Halloween-themed fun and community spirit while supporting One Hopeful Place, an organization dedicated to helping local families in need. The event is also looking for chili cooks to compete and share their best recipes, making it a chance for food lovers and community members alike to come together for a flavorful cause.

Northwest Florida State College’s Emerald Coast Rodeo is a community event featuring professional rodeo action and family-friendly entertainment. The event showcases competitors in traditional rodeo events while also offering activities for children and spectators, creating an exciting night of Western-themed entertainment for the entire family.

Join the community for the 2026 Emerald Coast Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, November 7, at Beasley Park in Fort Walton Beach. Hosted in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the walk brings people together to honor loved ones, support those affected by suicide, and raise awareness for suicide prevention. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by the program and walk at 10 a.m. Register today at afsp.org/emeraldcoast.

Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill will host the second annual Pirate Brew Fest on Saturday, Nov. 7, bringing a day of pirate-themed fun to Destin. The free-admission festival will feature live music, local craft breweries and distilleries, food vendors, an artist and vendor market, pirate games and contests, plus an all-ages costume contest, making it a family-friendly fall event packed with food, drinks and plenty of pirate shenanigans. 

Farm to Flame brings local food, music and community together at T’s Farm in Baker on Saturday, November 21, from 3 to 9 p.m. Enjoy farm-fresh food, browse the farm and maker market, and gather around the fire for songwriter performances from 7 to 9 p.m. The outdoor event also features a kids’ fishing tournament and optional overnight camping. Come rain or shine and support local food rescue while spending an evening in North Okaloosa County.