Spring on the Emerald Coast is a special chapter — when sunshine feels perfect, crowds are still manageable, and there’s no shortage of memorable experiences on land and sea. From savory festivals and art celebrations to unique theater and gala nights, spring 2026 brings a lineup worth marking on your calendar.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend getaway, a pet-friendly break, or just looking for local favorites worth highlighting on your blog or newsletter, this guide captures the best one-time and seasonal events across Seaside, Sandestin, Grand Boulevard, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, WaterColor, Seascape Resort, and Rosemary Beach.
Curious about the weekly events? Check out Recurring Events Along the Emerald Coast | 2026 Guide for a breakdown of what you can expect on a weekly basis!
La Vie En Rouge Gala
March 6, 2026 — 6:00–8:00 PM
Location: Emerald Coast Theatre Company at Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach
Step into a night of Parisian glamour with ECTC’s annual signature fundraiser. Inspired by Moulin Rouge, this gala features surprise performances, bottomless craft cocktails, gourmet bites, and live entertainment — all supporting local theater arts.
🔗 https://grandboulevard.com/event/la-vie-en-rouge-gala/
8th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival
March 15, 2026 — 12:00–3:00 PM
Location: 4104 Legendary Drive, Destin Commons, Destin
Cheddar lovers, assemble! This tasty festival celebrates everyone’s favorite comfort dish with unlimited samples from local restaurants, family-friendly fun, live music, and proceeds that benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast.
🔗 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/8th-annual-mac-and-cheese-festival
St. Paddy’s Day Delight
March 17, 2026
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish-themed afternoon at Baytowne Wharf featuring live music, festive entertainment, and traditional Irish flair. Expect high-energy performances, dancing, and plenty of green to go around in this family-friendly coastal celebration.
🔗 https://www.baytownewharf.com/what_to_do.php?month=3
Bubbly Baytowne
March 19, April 23 & May 21, 2026
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
Bubbly Baytowne is a champagne-forward shopping stroll through the charming streets of Baytowne Wharf. Guests enjoy complimentary bubbly samples while browsing local boutiques, making this a relaxed and social spring event perfect for a girls’ night or date evening.
🔗 https://www.baytownewharf.com/what_to_do.php
Easter Explosion
April 4, 2026
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
A springtime favorite for families, Easter Explosion features kid-friendly activities, entertainment, and seasonal fun throughout Baytowne Wharf. It’s a lively way to celebrate Easter weekend with games, activities, and festive surprises for all ages.
🔗 https://www.sandestin.com/things-to-do/events
Sandestin Wine Festival
April 16–19, 2026
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
Four days of wine tastings, chef experiences, and entertainment throughout the Baytowne Wharf area. A long-weekend favorite for food and wine lovers alike.
🔗 https://www.sandestinwinefestival.com/
CARE on the Coast Turtle Fest
April 18, 2026
Location: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Celebrate coastal conservation with a family-friendly event focused on sea turtle education, activities, and community engagement.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
April 23–26, 2026
Location: Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
This multi-day culinary festival showcases winemakers and chefs with curated tastings and premium food pairings.
Seabreeze Jazz Festival
April 23–26, 2026
Location: Panama City Beach (a short drive from WaterColor & Rosemary Beach)
International jazz artists headline this multi-day festival — a perfect pairing of live music and coastal vibes.
🔗 https://seabreezejazzfestival.com/
Emerald Coast Theatre Company — Mystic Pizza
April 30–May 17, 2026
Location: ECTC Theatre at Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach
A fun, energetic musical based on the 1988 rom-com, Mystic Pizza features hits from the ’80s and ’90s and brings lively entertainment to the stage over multiple weeks.
🔗 https://grandboulevard.com/event/emerald-coast-theatre-company-mystic-pizza/
ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
May 2–3, 2026
Location: Grand Boulevard Town Center, Miramar Beach
One of the largest fine arts festivals on the Emerald Coast, ArtsQuest brings together 100+ juried artists in mediums like painting, glasswork, ceramics, sculpture, and jewelry — plus demos, live entertainment, and kid-friendly activities.
🔗 https://grandboulevard.com/event/artsquest-fine-arts-festival/
Digital Graffiti
May 15–16, 2026
Location: Alys Beach
Digital Graffiti is a one-of-a-kind projection art festival that transforms the iconic white architecture of Alys Beach into an immersive outdoor gallery. Digital artists from around the world illuminate buildings, pathways, and courtyards with large-scale installations during this two-night ticketed event, with additional daytime programming throughout the weekend.
🔗 https://digitalgraffiti.com/
Taco & Tequila Fest
May 16, 2026
Location: Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
Dive into tacos, tequila, craft vendors, and live music in this fun spring event that blends casual festivity with coastal vibes.
🔗https://www.efestevents.com/?page_id=221413
Spring on the Emerald Coast isn’t just about warmer weather — it’s about celebrating the things that make this stretch of Northwest Florida a year-round favorite: amazing food, creative experiences, live entertainment, and heartfelt community-focused events. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or planning your travel content calendar, these events deliver memorable moments from Seaside to Sandestin and beyond.
Have a favorite spring event I forgot to include? Drop it in the comments — I update this guide regularly as new details and dates are announced.