Written by: Helen Wells
Helen writes for Benchmark Management, sharing local tips and vacation inspiration for Florida's Emerald Coast.
There's something special about doing the holidays at the beach, really. Rather than trudging through the snow, you can go to a lovely beach town, walk along the sugar-white sand, and enjoy the sunshine of the Emerald Coast before you go out to the festivities of lights, markets, and all that.
The communities along Scenic Highway 30A are in full holiday mode. There's lots of coastal holiday spirit on display with tree lightings, visits with Santa, local markets, and other holiday activities for couples, families, and groups of friends. Seaside, Rosemary Beach, WaterColor, and Alys Beach are just a few of the communities known for their holiday traditions. If you're thinking about a 30A Christmas trip or planning your 30A New Year's holiday, then there are loads of ways to make the most of the season in this guide.
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In this blog:
- Experience Christmas on 30A
- Celebrate the Season in Seaside
- Discover Holiday Traditions in Rosemary Beach
- Enjoy Alys Beach's Winter Wonderland
- Spend the Holidays in WaterColor
- Go Holiday Shopping on 30A
- Explore More 30A Holiday Events
- Ring in the New Year on 30A
- Enjoy Winter Activities on 30A
- Plan Your Holiday Getaway with Benchmark Management
- Frequently Asked Questions
Experience Christmas on 30A
Christmas on 30A is all about the classic Christmas experience blended in with the laid-back beach holiday. The towns are absolutely full of lights and decorations, and there are all sorts of markets, events, and performances throughout the season to help you get into the spirit.
Best of all, the various beach towns each have their own thing to offer in the season. You can spend the day in one community and then head off to another for the evening, making it very easy to attend a number of the 30A holiday events over the course of your holiday.
Celebrate the Season in Seaside
Seaside is a fantastic place to start your holiday celebrations. The community's annual Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town is the traditional way of launching the Christmas season with a festive parade and the lighting of the town and the Christmas tree. This year's event is set for November 28th.
The holiday festivities in Seaside have also featured visits and photos with Santa, seasonal entertainment, and, of course, holiday shopping in Central Square. There are also several events throughout December, including additional opportunities to see Santa.
Even if there's nothing on the schedule, Seaside is a great holiday stop. Just wander through town to take in the decorations, browse the shops for some gifts, have a bite to eat, and then head over to the Gulf for a sunset. If you're looking for things to do on 30A in December, an afternoon or evening in Seaside should definitely be on your list.
Discover Holiday Traditions in Rosemary Beach
On the eastern end of 30A, Rosemary Beach has its own Christmas tradition in the form of the annual Christmas tree lighting. The 2026 tree lighting is on November 27th in South Barrett Square. There are also seasonal markets, which are a great way to get a feel for the village at this time of year.
Take your time browsing the boutiques and restaurants while you're there. The walkable town center makes it so easy to combine the Christmas activities with the more mundane experiences that are part of a typical 30A holiday.
Enjoy Alys Beach's Winter Wonderland
Alys Beach is adding another festive tradition to the 30A Christmas events program with Alys in Winter Wonderland. The event has become a regular seasonal occurrence, with the past events featuring a host of holiday activities and live music. Alys Beach's particular setting also makes it a lovely place to slow down on a busy holiday. You could combine the seasonal events with some time spent getting to know the community, or continue down 30A to find another nearby beach town.
Spend the Holidays in WaterColor
WaterColor is another destination worth adding to your list. One of the season’s biggest events is the Old Florida Holiday & Winter Market. The event brings plenty of winter charm to WaterColor and makes a fun addition to your itinerary.
There's another option out there to combine your Christmas shopping with a day out on 30A. The seasonal guides have highlighted local vendors, gifts, and festive entertainment as part of the 30A holiday experience. With Seaside so close by, you can easily do a day trip to both WaterColor and Seaside.
Go Holiday Shopping on 30A
If finding the perfect gifts is on your vacation agenda, then allow yourself some time for Christmas shopping on 30A. Seasonal markets have been operating in Seaside, Rosemary Beach, and WaterColor throughout the area.
Beyond the scheduled markets, one of the easiest things to do on a winter day is to wander through the shops in the various beach communities along 30A. You might just come home with something special and get a good bit of time to wander around the variously decorated town centers. Shopping is also very easily combined with a lunch or dinner or a trip to the beach, particularly if you don't want every single day of your holiday scheduled around a particular event.
Explore More 30A Holiday Events
While the communities right along Scenic Highway 30A have loads to offer, you can extend your itinerary to include the seasonal activities available elsewhere along the Emerald Coast. For even more holiday fun, you can head beyond Scenic Highway 30A to The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Miramar Beach (which is just a bit further on). Their 12 Nights of Lights features a number of light shows throughout the holiday season.
Grand Boulevard has also had several holiday events over the years (musical entertainment, photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriages, etc.). As with any event, the dates, times, admission, and specific activities will vary from year to year, so be sure to check the current events calendar of the particular community or venue you're interested in before you go.
Ring in the New Year on 30A
Christmas isn't the end of the party. If you're on your beach break into the final days of December, you can actually kick off January with a 30A New Year's celebration.
Seaside's annual New Year's Eve celebration is one of the family-oriented options. It's got live music, loads of activities, and a fireworks display over the Gulf. Seaside currently lists the annual celebration from 4 pm to 9 pm on Dec 31st, with a note that further details will be announced. Other restaurants and venues around the area will no doubt be running their own New Year's Eve dinners and celebrations. If you've got a particular venue in mind, it's worth checking their current schedule before your visit rather than relying on what was done in previous years.
For even more options, look beyond Scenic Highway 30A to the Emerald Coast communities where there may be further New Year's Eve events. Check the current event calendars and book your dining reservations well in advance, especially if you're planning to visit a popular restaurant or attend a ticketed event.
Enjoy Winter Activities on 30A
You don't need a Christmas parade or a New Year's Eve countdown to have a fantastic winter on 30A. Some of the most memorable parts of your holiday can be the simplest. Take the time to go and check out the various beach communities, pop into the local shops, try a new restaurant, and take a stroll along the beach. A bike ride is a great way to get around and see the various places you're visiting.
And of course, there's the beach. A morning stroll or a Gulf sunset can be a real treat amid all the shopping, celebrations, and family things. A flexible itinerary is ideal during the holidays. Pick out a few of the 30A holiday events that you absolutely want to attend and then leave yourself plenty of time to wander along the coast at your own pace.
Plan Your Holiday Getaway with Benchmark Management
Featured Rental: Happy Ours Too At Camp Creek
Whether you're dreaming of Christmas on 30A, planning a holiday family vacation, or simply getting ready to celebrate the New Year down on the Gulf Coast, there's no lack of reasons to head to the beach over the holidays. You've got seasonal markets, Christmas lights, all sorts of community events, and the 30A New Year's celebration, so you can put together a holiday getaway as festive as you want or as relaxed as you want.
Make Benchmark Management your base for the season. Have a look around at our 30A vacation rentals to find the right accommodation for your family and friends, and then start planning your coastal Christmas or New Year's away with all the traditions you want to do and a bit more time by the Gulf!
Get into the holiday spirit and start planning your getaway today, with Benchmark 30A!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's Christmas on 30A like?
Christmas on 30A is all about the traditional festive atmosphere with a very relaxed coastal twist. There are decorated beach communities, tree lightings, seasonal markets, visits with Santa, loads of shopping and of course loads of time down by the Gulf.
What are some of the best 30A Christmas events?
Holiday events happen all along 30A in Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, WaterColor and the other towns. The usual fare is parades, tree lightings, seasonal markets, live entertainment and of course visits with Santa. Be sure to check the current event calendars to find out the dates and details prior to your visit.
Are there any New Year's Eve events on 30A?
Yes, Seaside has its own family focused New Year's Eve celebration and there are various restaurants and venues throughout 30A that will be hosting dinners, parties and other seasonal events. Check the current schedules and book in advance where appropriate.