No matter the time of year, there are renowned festivals held on 30A that highlight the interests and passions of our residents. These one-of-a-kind weekend outings give you the perfect excuse to book your next trip to the Emerald Coast, enjoying our breathtaking shores while also taking part in these popular events. The interests that have given birth to these festivals have shaped 30A over the years, with many of the themes like live music, wine, and seafood becoming synonymous with our communities. Next month sees the return of the Destin Seafood Festival, which in its 41st iteration has become an Emerald Coast tradition that draws over 70,000 people. Besides the great food for which it is aptly named, the festival also features the fireworks, arts, crafts, the Destin Fish Rodeo, and more! If you love fish, oysters, and all other things seafood then read on to learn more about this FREE tradition and start planning your October vacation with Exclusive 30A.
The Festival
Taking place in Destin, particularly on Harbor Boulevard and the Harbor Board Walk, the festival incorporates many local businesses as well as six outdoor stages setup throughout the area. Events are scheduled throughout the day on Friday (4pm-10pm), Saturday (10am-10pm), and Sunday (11am-4pm), giving you great flexibility to attend as much or as little of the festival as you want during your trip. Organizers have done a great job to give you a variety of parking options that vary depending on proximity, making your visit much less stressful.
As previously mentioned, admission to this event is free, which makes it a great activity for families looking to spend an affordable weekend in a fun atmosphere. On top of the excellent food and other activities planned, there are 3 separate Kids Zones throughout the festival that your children are sure to love. Each of the zones include activities for all ages such as pony rides, a petting zoo, hamster balls, a rock-climbing wall, zip lines, plenty of games, and more! We are sure that your entire family will find something they enjoy at this crowd-pleasing event.
Food
The major attraction of the festival, restaurants from around the area that are known for their unbelievably fresh seafood and outstanding culinary style will be providing samples to visitors. While 30A’s lengthy list of incredible seafood restaurants is already a year-round draw for many visitors, the Destin Seafood Festival provides the rare occasion where they all can be found in one place. This allows for sampling and selecting of your favorites, which is typically an impossible task during just one trip. Some of the most well known vendors this year include AJ’s, the Boathouse Oyster Bar, Brotula’s, Dewey Destin, Tailfin’s Seafood House & Oyster Bar, and more! The plates that each of these restaurants highlight will vary, but expect to taste Gulf Coast classics such as oysters, shrimp, crab, and an unprecedented variety of Gulf fish.
Music
Nothing goes better with a food festival than live music. The local property owners, businesses, and volunteers that organize the Destin Seafood Festival prove this by organizing over 40 artists to play at this year’s iteration. Selecting acts from a wide variety of genres, their goal is to provide something for people of all ages and tastes on their six live music stages. Notable acts during the weekend include AJ Ghent, Duende, Jason Findley, Blackberry Breeze, Sway Jah Vu, and many more! If that’s not enough to satisfy your musical appetite, many local restaurants and bars will also be hosting shows of their own during the weekend that you can check out. Start picking your favorites and prepare your stage-hopping itinerary for this unforgettable weekend.
Another unique highlight during this weekend of seafood is the 71st edition of the Destin Fishing Rodeo, which is a fishing tournament that pays tribute to the industry that built this community into what it is today. There are a variety of options for anglers wishing to enter this tournament, including the registration of a boat, kayak, or paddleboard, fishing from a pier or coastline, or joining one of the available charter boats. Virtually every gamefish is recognized for awards in this competition, with prizes like fine rods and reels, fishing trips, weekend stays, and cash up for grabs. Even if you’re not participating, the rodeo still offers a glimpse into the community’s rich fishing tradition and an exciting atmosphere to behold as the boats return to AJ’s docks with the incredible catches that are freshly prepared into your meals that very day.
Start planning your trip to taste some of the most exceptional seafood the Gulf has to offer at this always-memorable autumn event. We represent the most desirable vacation rentals in the area, making your stay in Destin or any of 30A’s other phenomenal communities truly exclusive. Call (844) STAY-30A or (844) 782-9302, email us at [email protected] or contact us through our website. Plus, remember to follow us on Twitter, Instagram or “Like” the Exclusive 30A Facebook page for more information about the exciting things happening on 30A. We’d love to hear from you!
