📅 When

December 5, 2026

18:30

📍 Where

Eglin Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

About this event

Fort Walton Beach lights up for the holidays with its beloved annual Christmas Parade, marching down Eglin Parkway at 6:30 p.m. to kick off the festive season in spectacular style. This evening spectacle is a favorite tradition for locals and visitors alike — the kind of warm, community-spirited celebration where families stake out sidewalk spots early and children scramble for candy tossed from colorful floats rolling past under holiday lights.

The parade features a lively procession of decorated floats, local school marching bands, cheerleading squads, dance groups, and community organizations all decked out in holiday finery. As darkness falls and the temperature dips just enough to feel like Christmas on Florida's Gulf Coast, onlookers enjoy a festive show that fills Eglin Parkway with light, music, and holiday cheer from start to finish.

Fort Walton Beach is just minutes from Destin and makes for a wonderful evening out for visitors staying anywhere on the Emerald Coast. The Christmas Parade is completely free to watch, and the downtown area offers excellent waterfront restaurants and holiday shopping nearby to turn the parade into a full festive evening on the coast.

Best for: Families with children, groups, and visitors looking for a classic evening Christmas parade just minutes from Destin

What to expect: Evening parade on Eglin Pkwy at 6:30 PM with floats, marching bands, dance groups, and community organizations

Planning tip: Arrive 30 minutes early for a good viewing spot. Pair with dinner at a nearby waterfront restaurant for a full holiday evening.

Cost: Free to watch; no tickets required

Evening holiday parade with floats, marching bands and community groups down Eglin Parkway. Free to attend.

Imported from Claude research tracker.

1. Dates: Saturday, December 5, 2026 (reconfirmed by a second source; a Dec 2 date-change notice found in FDOT records appears to be stale 2025-year content, since Dec 2, 2025 was a Tuesday while Dec 5, 2026 is a Saturday — Dec 5 is treated as the operative date)
2. Time: 6:30 PM - ~10:00 PM (road closures through ~10 PM)
3. Address: Eglin Parkway (SR 85) from 1st St to Hughes St, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547