Coastal White Christmas Comes to Grand Boulevard

Grand Boulevard at Sandestin has an exciting schedule of events for this holiday season. Included this year are Grand Boulevard’s signature holiday celebrations, the new Holiday Lights Kick-off Celebration and Parade, and numerous festive family-friendly activities.

The schedule will include the return of the popular Festival of Trees - a charitable tree decorating contest, complementary photos with Santa, free rides on elegant horse drawn carriages and choral performances by the Emerald Coast Theatre Company.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH | 4:30 PM - CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY LIGHTS KICK-OFF
The Grand Boulevard Town Center will be awash in tens of thousands of brilliant white lights, bringing a festive spirit to the Boulevard. Coastal White Christmas officially begins with the unveiling of the holiday lights and a celebratory short parade down the Boulevard featuring Butler Elementary School Chorus; Emerald Coast Middle School Cheerleaders, Cub Scouts Pack 562, Destin High School Marching Band, Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Dog-Harmony and Santa’s arrival! Enjoy faux snow while taking complementary photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment, refreshments and strolling throughout the Boulevard, taking in the breathtaking lights and beautifully decorated trees, while getting a start on holiday shopping.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25TH - FESTIVAL OF TREES BENEFITING 12 LOCAL CHARITIES
On Nov. 22 from 4 PM – 6 PM., twelve non-profit organizations will decorate a tree and compete to win cash prizes totaling $8,500, including Best of Show and People’s Choice. The People’s Choice winner will be voted on and announced along with Best of Show, Second and Third Place winners. The trees will remain on display in Grand Park through Christmas for all to enjoy!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND | 3 PM – 6 PM - HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & WALK-ABOUT
Take advantage of holiday specials and promotions from Grand Boulevard retailers and restaurants before and during the Festival of Trees kick-off. Stop by Grand Park to pick up your map for this event. Then visit participating retailers and restaurants to register for a chance to win one of three fabulous “A Taste of Grand Boulevard” prize baskets that include gifts from participating businesses.

DECEMBER 2ND – 17TH | FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS | 5 PM – 8 PM DECEMBER 19TH – 23RD | ALL WEEK | 5 PM – 8 PM HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES, CAROLERS & PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides around the Town Center while taking in the Coastal White Christmas lights and the Festival of Trees display. To add to the festivities, get a complementary professional photo with Santa while listening to the seasonal sounds of the Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s Dickensian Carolers singing popular holiday carols.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 - A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Public Performances: Saturdays at 9:30AM & Sunday, December 4 at 2:30PM
Presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company and part of their Jr. Company Educational Program promoting Theatre for Young Audiences. Discover the true meaning of Christmas with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts Gang in this classic adaptation of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Presented by ECTC’s talented Junior Company teen players. For ticket information: Emerald Coast Theatre Company.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18  - THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL
Thursday - Saturday at 7:30PM, Sundays at 2:30PM, Wednesday, December 14 at 2:30PM
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world–so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem and soon everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s now up to the Bradleys to help the community see the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic. For ticket information: Emerald Coast Theatre Company.

These festive events are part of the Coastal Culture Calendar of Events made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts and Entertainment Program and have quickly become a tradition among South Walton residents and visitors.
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