December on 30A runs on holiday markets, Santa visits and dinner reservations. Saturday, December 5 opens the SEASIDE Holiday Market weekend and ends with the Christmas Luminaries at Eden Gardens State Park. Later in the month, Photos with Santa runs nightly in Seaside from December 12 to 20, and several restaurants have already posted Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hours. Every date below comes from a town, venue or organizer page that lists it for 2026.
December weather on 30A
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport station, the closest station with a complete record, list these December averages:
- High: 65.6°F
- Low: 47.5°F
- Precipitation: 4.72 inches for the month
These are long run averages rather than a forecast. Evening events here are outdoors, so a warm layer is worth packing.
Saturday, December 5
- SEASIDE Holiday Market, 9 AM to 4 PM in Central Square, with local artisans and makers. It continues Sunday, December 6, 10 AM to 4 PM (Seaside listing).
- Seaside Farmers Market, 9 AM until 1 PM, Amphitheater.
- Christmas Luminaries at Eden Gardens State Park, 5 to 8 PM in Point Washington. Luminaries line the paths after sunset, every room of the historic Wesley House is decorated, and the Friends of Eden serve cookies and hot drinks with live music at the Pavilion (Friends of Eden Gardens).
December 2026 events by town
Seaside
All Seaside dates are on the Seaside events calendar. Our Seaside guide covers the town itself.
- Sounds of Seaside, every Wednesday, 4 PM until 6 PM on the Amphitheater stage: Roman Street (December 2), Max McCann (December 9), Fred Domulot (December 16), Max McCann (December 23) and Flow Tribe (December 30). Bring blankets and chairs.
- Seaside Farmers Market, Saturdays December 5, 12 and 19, 9 AM until 1 PM. The market runs Saturdays only in December, rain or shine unless weather makes it unsafe.
- SEASIDE Holiday Market, December 5 (9 AM to 4 PM) and December 6 (10 AM to 4 PM) in Central Square.
- Photos with Santa, December 12 through December 20, 4 to 6 PM nightly in the Seaside Christmas Village. Photos are complimentary (details).
Rosemary Beach
- Christmas dining at Havana Beach Bar & Grill, The Pearl Hotel: a three course prix fixe menu with Christmas Eve seatings from 4 to 8 PM on December 24 and Christmas Day seatings running 11 AM through 7 PM on December 25. The regular menu is not served during those seatings, and reservations are highly recommended (Havana Beach events). The Pearl lists the reservation line as 850.588.2882.
Read more about the town in our Rosemary Beach guide.
WaterColor
Both items appear on the WaterColor Inn events page.
- Christmas Day dinner at Fish Out of Water, Friday, December 25, 5 to 9 PM, with holiday features plus the à la carte and kids menus. Reservations are not accepted.
- Bubbles Sip and Shop at the WaterColor Package Store, Sunday, December 27, 8 AM to 9 PM. Expect a complimentary bubbly tasting for adults 21 and over, house made truffles, 25% off wine and champagne bottles, and live music from Weston Hines between 3 and 6 PM.
See our WaterColor guide for the community.
Watersound
- Friday Fest, Friday, December 4, 6 PM until 9 PM, under Watersound Town Center's Pavilion. This first Friday concert series is free (Watersound listing). More in our Watersound guide.
Alys Beach
- Alys Classics, Tuesday, December 29, 6 to 9 PM at The Silva: a movie and picnic night. Alys Beach notes details and timing may change (event page). Our Alys Beach guide has more on the town.
Inlet Beach
Cuvee 30A at 30Avenue has posted two December dates:
- PlumpJack Wine Dinner, Tuesday, December 8 at 5:30 PM: five courses paired with PlumpJack wines. Reservations are required and seating is limited (event page).
- Christmas Eve dinner, Thursday, December 24, 4 to 8:30 PM. Cuvee 30A is closed on Christmas Day (Christmas page).
Santa Rosa Beach
- Christmas Luminaries at Eden Gardens State Park, Saturday, December 5, 5 to 8 PM (details above). Our Santa Rosa Beach guide covers Point Washington and the rest of the area.
Planning tips: parking, reservations and beach rules
- Seaside parking is paid by the hour. Seaside's parking page currently lists $5 per hour from 8 to 10 AM, $7 per hour from 10 AM to 7 PM and $5 per hour from 7 to 10 PM, with a help line at 850.231.2204 (Seaside parking). Rates can change, so check the page before you go.
- Book holiday tables early. Havana Beach recommends reservations for both Christmas seatings, Cuvee 30A requires them for the PlumpJack dinner, and Fish Out of Water takes no reservations on Christmas Day.
- Beach bonfires need a permit. Walton County's beach ordinance requires a South Walton Fire District permit for any beach fire. From November through February, fire pits and related gear may not go on the beach before 4 PM, and remnants must be gone by 11 PM (Walton County Ordinance 2025 22).
- Clear the sand at night. The same ordinance bars leaving personal property on the beach from one hour after sunset until one hour after sunrise without a county permit, and it prohibits overnight parking in county beach access lots.
Why buyers visit 30A in December
Many of the dates above take place in town centers, a simple way to see each neighborhood after dark. If you want to tour homes while you are here, our 30A realtor team can set showings around these dates. You can also browse homes for sale on J30A before the trip.
Or search homes for sale in Seaside, WaterColor, Rosemary Beach and Watersound, or Santa Rosa Beach homes for sale, on our site.
December on 30A: FAQ
What is happening on 30A on December 5, 2026?
The SEASIDE Holiday Market (9 AM to 4 PM), the Seaside Farmers Market (9 AM to 1 PM) and the Christmas Luminaries at Eden Gardens State Park (5 to 8 PM).
When can kids see Santa in Seaside?
Photos with Santa runs December 12 through December 20, 4 to 6 PM each day, and the photos are free.
Which 30A restaurants are open on Christmas Day 2026?
Fish Out of Water in WaterColor serves Christmas dinner from 5 to 9 PM without reservations, and Havana Beach Bar & Grill in Rosemary Beach seats guests between 11 AM and 7 PM. Cuvee 30A is closed on Christmas Day.
Can I have a bonfire on the beach in December?
Only with a South Walton Fire District permit. Between November and February, fire pits cannot go out before 4 PM and must be cleared by 11 PM.
How cold is 30A in December?
NOAA normals for the nearby Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport station show an average December high of 65.6°F and an average low of 47.5°F.
Is parking free in Seaside?
No. Seaside posts hourly rates on its parking page, currently $5 to $7 per hour depending on the time of day.
Looking at homes for sale in Santa Rosa Beach? Talk with our Santa Rosa Beach realtor team.
