30A and South Walton events by month

Updated October 19, 2026

30A's biggest recurring events are the 30A Songwriters Festival in January, the 30A Wine Festival at Alys Beach in February, Fourth of July parades and fireworks in Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Grayton Beach, Halloween in Seaside in October, and the Seeing Red Wine Festival in Seaside in early November. The holiday season starts with the Seaside Holiday Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Dates change every year, so confirm on each organizer's website.

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What are the biggest annual events on 30A?

The big ones fall in winter, July and fall. Exact dates change yearly, so check the organizer's site before booking around one.

Month	Event	Where
January	30A Songwriters Festival	Venues along 30A
February	30A Wine Festival; SEASIDE SCHOOL Half Marathon + 5K	Alys Beach; Seaside
February (varies)	Mardi Gras parade	Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin (off 30A)
April	Sandestin Wine Festival; South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival	Elsewhere in South Walton
May (even years)	Digital Graffiti	Alys Beach
July 4	Parades, concerts and fireworks	Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach
October	Halloweener Derby; Halloween in Seaside; Rosemary Beach Halloween bash	Seaside; Rosemary Beach
November	Seeing Red Wine Festival; Seaside Holiday Parade and Turn on the Town	Seaside
December	Holiday lights and markets	Town centers along 30A

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January and February: music, wine and racing

30A Songwriters Festival (January). Organizers describe 160-plus songwriters and 300-plus performances at 30 venues over one long weekend. The 2027 festival is January 15 to 18, with one of its two main stages in Seaside. Proceeds benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.

30A Wine Festival (February). Held in Alys Beach over five days, with a wine dinner, Bourbon, Beer & Butts, a Grand Tasting and Rosé & Croquet. The 2027 festival is February 17 to 21.

SEASIDE SCHOOL Half Marathon + 5K (February). Seaside's race weekend. In 2027, race day is February 14, with race weekend events February 11 to 14.

Mardi Gras. The closest big parade is at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, west of 30A. Its date follows the Mardi Gras calendar; in 2026 the parade was February 15.

Spring and summer: art and the Fourth of July

Digital Graffiti (May). Projection art on Alys Beach's white walls along a path of nearly a mile. It is now held every two years: no 2027 festival, next one May 2028. Saturday is the family night; Friday is 21 and up.

Fourth of July. Several 30A towns hold their own celebrations:

Seaside: a morning block party in Central Square, a children's patriotic bike parade, an evening pops concert and fireworks.
Rosemary Beach: a bike decorating contest and parade in the morning, a concert on the Western Green and fireworks. In 2026 it was held on July 2, so don't assume July 4.
Grayton Beach: an informal 8:30 a.m. parade near the Red Bar with no registration (per 30A.com's 2025 guide).

October and November: Halloween and Seeing Red

Halloween. Seaside's Halloweener Derby, a dachshund race with a dog costume contest, is held in late October, and Halloween in Seaside on October 31 brings decorated stores and trick-or-treating around town. Rosemary Beach's Trick or Treat Halloween Bash was October 24 in 2026.

Seeing Red Wine Festival (early November). A four-day festival in Seaside with a vintners' dinner, reserve tastings and a Grand Tasting in Central Square. It ran November 5 to 8 in 2026, its 34th year. Tickets are required.

How does the holiday season work on 30A?

It starts the Saturday after Thanksgiving with Seaside's Holiday Parade and Turn on the Town. The parade runs along 30A from Seagrove to Seaside, and the evening ends with Santa and the tree lighting at the amphitheater. In 2026 that is November 28. Through December, Walton County Tourism points to the holiday lights in Rosemary Beach's Barrett Square, at the Alys Beach amphitheater, around Seaside's amphitheater, in WaterColor's Cerulean Park and at 30Avenue in Inlet Beach. Seaside also holds a holiday market in early December.

Storm note: after Hurricane Isaias in October 2026, some fall events may be canceled or moved. Check the organizer's page.

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FAQ

What is the best month for events on 30A?

January and November have the biggest ticketed festivals: the 30A Songwriters Festival and Seeing Red. July 4 has the most free events, with parades and fireworks in several towns.

Is there a Mardi Gras parade on 30A?

Not a major one. The best-known Mardi Gras parade nearby is at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin; in 2026 it rolled on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.

Is Digital Graffiti happening in 2027?

No. Organizers moved it to every other year, and the next festival is in May 2028.

Are 30A events free?

Parades, Seaside's Fourth of July block party and fireworks, and the holiday parade are free. The Songwriters Festival, wine festivals and Digital Graffiti need tickets.