There is no better time for a festival in Florida than Autumn. With gorgeous weather and plenty of reasons to celebrate, this is the time you want to be outside enjoying all the season has to offer! No matter what you want to celebrate, there are plenty of festivals during this time of year in every different category. Enjoy some delicious food, listen to excellent music, and spend time with the people you love! Here are some of our favorite festivals in northwest Florida that you should definitely check out this fall!

Destin Seafood Festival

Historic Destin Harbor and Harbor Board Walk, Destin

With miles of gorgeous white sandy beaches and a dazzling bay surrounding it, Destin is an excellent destination for all kinds of delicious seafood. Enjoy three days of fresh local seafood prepared by some of the best local restaurants while you listen to local musicians serenading your meal. There are three separate kids zones perfect for entertaining kids of all ages, so bring the whole family for a day of fun!

Pirates of the High Seas Fest

Panama City Beach

The waters of Panama City Beach were once a popular spot for pirates searching for gold. The legend of a famous pirate named Dominique Youx protecting the people of Panama City Beach against the invasion of unfriendly pirates and the celebration that followed have inspired a celebration that still takes place to this day every Columbus Day weekend. This festival celebrates the pirates with pirate invasions, parades, food, music, and all kinds of fun for whole family!

Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival

Niceville

This festival has some of everything! Fun kids activities, delicious food of all kinds, nationally known country music artists, and arts and crafts shopping make this festival a great event for the whole family. This festival features all different kinds of food, but it is especially famous for its amazing seafood, so make sure you come on an empty stomach!

Suwannee Hulaween 

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak

This is one of the best Halloween parties, as well as one of the biggest music festivals in Florida. Camp out, take yoga and dance classes, play games, and drink beer while you listen to music from some of your favorite bands among some of Florida’s most beautiful nature. glowing visual art installations and performance art at Spirit Lake engage all of your senses and immerse you in a Halloween experience unlike any other!

Florida Scallop and Music Festival

George Core Park, Port St. Joe

Entertain the whole family at this festival that has something of everything. Enjoy a 5k race, a Scallop Cook-Off, top notch entertainment, a fun Kids Zone, and more than 50 vendors selling everything you could want on the shores of historic St. Joseph Bay.

Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest

The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Destin

Leave the kids behind for one of the regions best beer events. Sample tons of beers from all across the nation and discover your new favorite. Learn about what makes your favorite beers so great while you listen to music and stroll around the beautiful Sandestin Resort. Packages are available from the resort if you need a place to stay for the weekend while you attend the festival.

The Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival

Seville Square, Pensacola

This is one of the most popular art festivals in the entire nation, ranked #30 by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Amazing artists from all across the country come here to sell their work, so if you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift, this would be an excellent time to find it! While you shop you can enjoy live music and food and drinks offered from local restaurants and regional festival vendors. If you’re anywhere nearby, you’ve got to check this one out!