Looking for things to do in February in Destin and Miramar Beach? This post covers what to expect this time of year, including weather, crowds, activities, and the events happening around town.
February weather in Destin is mostly cool, with a mix of chilly days and the occasional warm, sunny surprise. Compared to January, there are more events and more to do, but February is still one of the quieter months when it comes to crowds.
It’s typically the second-coldest month of the year here, just behind January. The upside is peaceful beaches, long quiet walks along the shoreline, and a much slower pace than what you’ll see later in spring.
Most of the visitors you’ll see in February are snowbirds escaping colder northern winters. Many of them stay through the end of the month before heading home.
You may also notice a small uptick in visitors toward the end of February as a few colleges with early spring breaks begin to arrive, but the real spring break crowds don’t show up until March.
Late February is also when things start to feel like they’re waking back up. Parasailing chutes begin popping up in the sky again as watersports companies reopen after winter closures.
Winter sunsets and sunrises are one of the biggest perks of visiting Destin this time of year. It’s the only season when you can see the sun set directly over the Gulf of Mexico from the beach.
In February, the sun still sets fully over the water. By March, it begins shifting back toward land, and by April it’s mostly disappearing behind buildings instead. If sunsets are your thing, February is a great month to soak them up.
This changes as you move east toward the 30A area, where the curve of the coastline allows you to see sunsets over the water for much longer (with the tradeoff of fewer beach sunrises). I go into more detail here: Sunset in Destin, Florida: The 6 Best Places to Watch.
Sunrise and sunset times in February are much earlier than in summer. Sunrise falls roughly between 6:12 am and 6:37 am, while sunset ranges from about 5:22 pm to 5:44 pm, depending on the date. Early mornings are especially quiet, and it’s not unusual to have the beach almost entirely to yourself at sunrise.
February is also a good month to find discounted hotel rates and off-season pricing on condos. If you’re planning a stay, take a look at my vacation rentals on Holiday Isle — February is one of the most affordable times of the year to book them. Many places shift to higher spring rates on March 1, so this can be a nice window for a more affordable visit.
I ranked February near the bottom of my list in The Best Times to Visit Destin, Florida. It’s not my favorite month overall, but there are still plenty of events and bright spots as we wait for warmer weather and the arrival of spring. And honestly, there aren’t many bad months in Destin.
February Weather in Destin
Average High = 64 degrees
Average Low = 40 degrees
Average Gulf Water Temperature = 64 degrees
Average Rainfall = 5.7 inches
Winter air along the coast often feels colder than the temperature suggests. Fifty degrees in Destin can feel much chillier than fifty degrees in a drier inland climate.
Humidity and steady winds off the Gulf give the cold air a sharper edge, especially after the sun goes down. It’s one of the things visitors are most surprised by during winter here.
February Events in Destin and Miramar Beach
February may be one of our quieter months, but the event calendar still has plenty going on. Exact dates change every year, so instead of a dated list, here’s an overview of the kinds of events you can typically expect. Always check the event calendars before you go, since schedules and ticket details change from year to year.
Food Festivals
February is a big month for food festivals around here. HarborWalk Village hosts Brunch Fest, a self-guided brunch crawl where you stroll the harbor sampling brunch bites and drinks from local restaurants, breweries, and distilleries, with live music playing along the way. It typically sells out in advance, so grab tickets early if it lands during your visit.
Over at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, the Sandestin Gumbo Festival is a longtime winter tradition. Gulf Coast restaurants serve up samples in a gumbo cook-off and compete in the Best Bloody Mary at the Beach contest, with live music and activities for kids throughout the day. The village is open to everyone during the festival — you only need a tasting wristband to sample.
The Shrimp and Grits Festival is another favorite. Local chefs put their own spin on the classic dish, attendees vote for their favorites, and the day includes food tastings, drink options, and live music. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras season brings a family-friendly parade to Baytowne Wharf, with decorated floats, golf carts, costumed dogs walking with their owners, and plenty of beads and moon pies flying. Bring a bag if you want to collect throws. HarborWalk Village celebrates on the harbor too, with live music, second line-style parades moving through the village, stilt walkers, and face painting for kids. Both celebrations are free to attend.
Bubbly Baytowne
Baytowne also hosts Bubbly Baytowne on select evenings — a free, adults-only sip-and-shop where guests stroll the village sampling champagne and sparkling wine inside participating shops. I put together a full guide to it here: Bubbly Baytowne – A Sip and Shop through the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day brings plenty of romantic options, especially around the dinner table. Look for special prix fixe menus at beachfront restaurants, brunch and dinner cruises aboard the Solaris yacht out of Baytowne Marina, and one-of-a-kind experiences like the Gulfarium’s after-hours Valentine’s dinner, which includes a penguin meet-and-greet. Reservations book up well in advance for Valentine’s weekend, so plan ahead.
Coming a little later in the season instead? My March in Destin guide covers what to expect once spring break arrives. And if a quiet winter beach day is more your speed, my guide to Destin’s public beaches will help you pick the perfect spot.
Other Ideas for February in Destin
Beach Bonfires
February is ideal weather for a beach bonfire. Royal Palm Grille, a beach bar on Scenic 98 in Miramar Beach, hosts a free beach bonfire on Monday and Friday nights year-round, and all ages are welcome.
Free parking is available both on the street and in the parking garage across the street. Chairs are provided, and s’mores, drink specials, and items from the full restaurant menu are available for purchase. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
More information can be found on their website here: Royal Palm Grille Beach Bonfire
You can also host your own beach bonfire in Miramar Beach with a permit and a few supplies. I wrote a detailed guide on how to do that here: How to Have a Beach Bonfire in Destin, Miramar Beach, or 30A.
Ice Skating at Baytowne Wharf
The Baytowne Wharf ice rink is set up under a large tent in the village events plaza from late October through early February. The first week of February is usually the last chance to enjoy the only ice skating rink in the Destin area.
Operating hours vary by day and are influenced by holidays and school schedules. The most up-to-date information is available on the Baytowne Wharf Events Calendar.
Support bars are available for beginner skaters, and pricing is typically around $14 for a 90-minute skating session, with skate rental available for an additional fee.
I hope this post helps you plan a great February visit to Destin!
Do you have 2020 dates and events?
Thanks for the info
I am waiting on a final events list from Harborwalk and will have it updated for 2020 this week!
I just updated this article for February 2020!
February 5, 2023: Mardi Gras Parade in FWB! 🙂
Thank you, I need to remember to include more Fort Walton Beach events. I will add it!