Some of our favorite gifts every year don’t come from a store at all. Not even Amazon. They come from a table under a tent, made by someone who lives a few miles away and is happy to tell you how they made it. It’s one of the things we love most about holiday market season on the Emerald Coast: from the harbor in Destin to the town squares along 30A, local makers, bakers, and artists set up their booths, and gift shopping becomes something you get to enjoy, with live music, a festive coffee, and maybe a visit with Santa along the way.
Shopping these holiday markets in Destin is one of the easiest ways to support the people who make this place feel like home. Many of the vendors below are small-batch makers, home bakers, and artists without a storefront, so a market is often the only chance to meet them and find their work in person. You’ll come home with gifts that feel personal and hard to find anywhere else, plus a few new favorite makers to follow long after the holidays.
Bring a tote, tuck a little cash in your pocket for the vendors who prefer it, and plan on leaving with at least one thing for yourself. We’ll keep this guide updated as new dates are announced, so save it and check back before you head out.
Alys Beach Crafted Holiday Makers Market
November 13 – 15
Best for: Handmade and maker gifts from regional artisans, and worth the drive down 30A
Alys Beach Crafted is a weekend built around the people who make things, from craft beer and cocktails to songwriters and artists. While most events are ticketed, the Holiday Makers Market is free and open to the public. Regional artisans set up in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre to share their work, their inspiration, and the stories behind each piece, so you leave knowing exactly who made the gift you’re bringing home.
Live music sets the tone while you browse, and the Town Center Merchants will have treats and refreshments for purchase. Keep an eye out for Santa, who stops in at select times.
The details:
Friday, November 13 | 2pm – 4:30pm
Saturday, November 14 | 10am – 2pm
Sunday, November 15 | 10am – 2pm
City of Destin Holiday Craft Show
November 13 and 14
Best for: Kicking off holiday shopping with a hometown tradition
Now in its 20th year, the City of Destin’s Holiday Craft Show is one of the first markets on the calendar and one of the most local. The Destin Community Center fills with handcrafted jewelry, wreaths, books, and more, and the concessions make it easy to take your time.
The details:
Destin Community Center
Friday, November 13 | 10am – 4pm
Saturday, November 14 | 9am – 3pm
The Village Christmas Market
Saturday, November 14
9am – 2pm
Best for: Families and getting a head start on your gift list
If you want to enjoy some family fun while browsing for unique gifts, stop by The Village Christmas Market, located right across the street from Henderson Beach Resort. Now in its second year, it brings more than 70 local vendors to Village Church, and the mix runs from soy candles and hand-carved wood pieces to holiday cookies decorated almost too nicely to eat.
It’s a market made with families in mind. Kids have their own activities (like inflatables, face paint and crafts), there are food and sweet treats to keep everyone going, and a Game Day Tent means nobody has to choose between gift shopping and kickoff. The gift wrapping is free, too, so a few presents can come home ready for the tree.
Destin Commons Market
Saturdays, November 21 and December 5
2pm – 6pm
Best for: Combining market shopping with a full day of holiday errands
When the list is long and the weekend is short, the Destin Commons Market lets one trip do double duty. On two Saturdays this season, local vendors set up with baked goods, wellness items, clothing, art, jewelry, handmade goods, and more.
Still have some people left on your list? While you’re there, you can shop from other small businesses and national brands that have a permanent home at Destin Commons.
Be sure to check out the holiday decor and photo ops! From the 50-foot Christmas tree and giant gingerbread men to the holiday arch and topiary reindeer sitting on the benches resting up to take Santa back to the North Pole, it’s a festive outing for the whole family.
Old Florida Holiday Winter Market at WaterColor
Saturday, November 28
3pm – 9pm
WaterColor Town Center and Cerulean Park
Best for: An evening market with a magical Christmas experience for kids
WaterColor’s Old Florida Holiday Winter Market is one of the most beloved traditions on 30A, and it returns to Town Center and Cerulean Park the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Local artists and vendors set up throughout the park, horse-drawn carriages make their loops, and Santa is on hand for pictures.
Plan to stay into the evening for the lighting of the WaterColor Christmas tree, falling snow, and a bonfire with s’mores.
Downtown Fort Walton Beach Holiday Market
Saturday, November 28
11am – 6pm
Best for: A full day of shopping that ends with a tree lighting
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Fort Walton Beach Landing turns into a holiday market with more than 100 local vendors selling handmade goods, locally sourced products, and one-of-a-kind gifts. It’s one of the biggest markets of the season, and with live music playing all day and food trucks on hand, it’s easy to settle in and make a day of it.
Kids can decorate cookies and stop by Santa’s Workshop, and Santa and Mrs. Claus are making a visit. The Landing has new lighting and a new tree this year, and as evening falls, the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus leads the carols into the countdown for the tree lighting at 5:30pm. More details here!
30A Holiday Market
Wednesday, December 2
10am – 5pm
Peddlers Pavilion on 30A
Best for: A curated lineup of local artists during the week
The 30A Holiday Market at Peddlers Pavilion has one of the strongest lineups of local artists we see all season, and because it lands on a Wednesday, it feels like a midweek escape from the weekend crowds. Drop your kids off at school and make a day of it!
It’s the kind of market where you’ll want to stop and talk with the makers, and you can meet a few of them ahead of time in last year’s feature.
East Pass Coffee Co. Holiday Market
Saturday, December 5
9am – 1pm
Best for: Handmade gifts from local artists, with a latte in hand
Combine your Saturday coffee run with some holiday shopping! East Pass Coffee Co. isn’t just a coffee shop in Destin. It’s a gathering space for our community and is all about supporting other local businesses and makers. Order a latte, take a slow lap, and enjoy breakfast or lunch.
Here are a few makers and experiences you can look forward to:
- Live painted ornaments by Marilu Morgan
- Build your own charm necklace with Sea Gems by Karrah
- Chat about all things books and pick up a new holiday read from Tides & Tales
- Have Love, Girl Tyler write a custom poem for you or a loved one
- Pick up handmade items from Sun Up Ceramics
Holiday Market in Seaside, Florida
December 5 and 6
10am – 4pm
Best for: A festive weekend stroll on 30A
I always make a point of visiting this coastal community during the off season, and the holiday market is the perfect excuse! Stroll through Central Square while it’s all decked out for Christmas, and shop from local artisans, unique makers, and festive creators.
It’s a great family experience as kids can run around on the amphitheater lawn, or add some gifts to their wish list at Duckies. You can also enjoy a holiday show from 11am – 11:30am.
Santa Paws: Bark Street Market
Sunday, December 6
11am – 5pm
Best for: Shopping for the four-legged members of the family
Whether your pup spent the year on the nice list or racked up a few marks on the naughty one (we won’t ask about the shoes), Santa Paws is their day to shine. HarborWalk Village is hosting a holiday market for dogs and their people, so leash up your best friend and head to the harbor for an afternoon of shopping with them in tow.
It’s a sweet chance to pick up something special for the dog who has everything, take a picture with Santa, find a stocking stuffer, and let your pup soak up all the attention of a busy, dog-friendly afternoon by the water.
Mistletoe Market at HarborWalk Village
December 12 and 13
Noon – 8pm
Best for: A happening day on the harbor with shopping, music, and the boat parade
For one weekend in December, HarborWalk Village becomes a waterfront holiday market, with local vendors, live music, and visits with Santa, all with Destin Harbor as the backdrop.
If you can, go on Sunday and stay into the evening. That’s when the Destin Lighted Boat Parade and fireworks fill the harbor right in front of the market, which means you can finish your shopping with one of the best seats in town.
Holly Jolly Holiday Market on the Harbor
Sunday, December 13
Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park
Best for: Pairing with the Mistletoe Market for a full day on the harbor
The City of Destin is giving us one more reason to spend boat parade Sunday by the water. The Holly Jolly Holiday Market on the Harbor sets up at Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park, making it an easy addition to an afternoon at the Mistletoe Market before the parade begins. The city is still sharing details, and we’ll add more here as they’re announced.
Whichever markets make it onto your calendar this season, we hope you come home with a bag full of gifts made by people who live here, and maybe a new favorite maker to follow. If you find a vendor you love, tag them and tag us at @destinsnapshots so we can share them, too.
Hosting a holiday market we should know about? Send the details to hi@destinsnapshots.com and we’ll consider it for our next update.
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