October is often cited as the best month in Destin by both locals and visitors thanks to the perfect combination of cooler temperatures, lower crowds, amazing sunsets and an abundance of fall events and festivals.
In fact, I ranked it #1 in my article “The Best Times to Visit Destin, Florida” for all these reasons and more.
In this post I give you plenty of ideas for things to do in October in Destin including two major art festivals, the biggest beer festival on the Emerald Coast, all the Halloween events, several fireworks shows, and much much more.
Below you will find details of the best events and things to do in Destin in October 2024 in order of which they occur throughout the month.
Destin Fishing Rodeo Weigh-Ins
- Date: October 1st – October 31st, 2024
- Location: On the docks behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster House
- Time: 10:00am – 7:00pm
- Cost: FREE
2024 will mark the 76th year for the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. Established in 1948, The Destin Fishing Rodeo has become known as the ultimate fishing tournament for saltwater anglers of all ages.
Destin Fishing Rodeo Weigh-Ins take place from 10am-7pm every day in October at the docks in front of AJ’s Seafood and Oyster House where over 30,000 Anglers compete for cash, prizes and bragging rights. Share in the fun and excitement as they show off catch at the daily weigh ins.
Virtually every game fish is recognized with awards during the rodeo in 29 divisions including juniors, teens, ladies and seniors.
Kayak fishing, paddle board fishing, pier fishing, bridge fishing, jetty fishing, surf fishing and shoreline fishing are all categories with a place in the rodeo.
Rocktober Nights and Fireworks at HarborWalk Village
- Date: Saturday October 5th, 12th, & 19th 2024
- Location: HarborWalk Village
- Time: 6:00pm | Fireworks at 8:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Kick off your Saturday nights on Destin Harbor with the Rocktober Nights concert series taking place every Saturday night in October. A different band will take the stage each week followed by a fireworks display over Destin Harbor.
This is the perfect way to complete your day after watching the weigh-ins at AJ’s, which is just a short walk away along the marina.
For all the Best Places to Watch the Destin Harbor Fireworks, check out this post: Where to Watch the Destin Harbor Fireworks
Wednesday Night Concert Series at Baytowne Wharf
- When: Wednesday October 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th 2024
- Location: Baytowne Wharf Events Stage
- Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Bring blankets, lawn chairs, drinks and snacks to enjoy the perfect fall temperatures with live music from a different band each week.
Wednesday night concert series is a popular event that takes place March through October featuring both local and regional talent from a variety of genres.
Live Music Schedule
October 2: Modern Eldorados
October 9: Casey Kearney
October 16: The High Aces
October 23: Below Alabama
October 30: Forrest Williams Band
Baytowne Wharf is located inside the gates of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort but it is always open to the public.
Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival
- When: Friday October 11th and Saturday October 12th, 2024
- Location: Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
- Time: Friday 6pm-8pm | Saturday 2pm-5pm
- Cost: $50-$90 depending on package option
- Website for Tickets: http://www.baytownebeerfestival.com
The Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival is the largest beer festival on the Emerald Coast and it attracts a fun crowd of locals and visitors who appreciate a good craft beer. Many people even dress up for this event in a variety of German and Oktoberfest themed costumes.
Saturday’s main event features more than 50 breweries offering close to 200 domestic and international craft beers for sampling. A keepsake Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest tasting glass is provided to ticket holders for sampling.
Brewery representatives and volunteers will be available to discuss the different types of lagers and ales available for tasting.
On Friday evening there is a more intimate beer sampling event called “Beers from Around Here” featuring local Gulf Coast beers and appetizer samples from featured Baytowne Wharf restaurants. Get your tickets in advance because it usually sells out!
Bubbly Baytowne at Baytowne Wharf
- When: Thursday, October 17th, 2024
- Location: Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
- Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
- Cost: FREE
Enjoy an evening of shopping and sipping on free sparkling wine as you stroll the picturesque streets of the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
Bubbly Baytowne takes place on select Thursday nights in the spring and fall. It’s a great event to attend in October in to enjoy those perfect fall temperatures.
Check in at the front entrance of the Village to get your free engraved tasting glass and stop in the merchants around the Village to have it filled with different wine selection offerings at each stop.
Bubbly Baytowne is such a fun way to enjoy an evening that it’s hard to believe it’s free. I wrote a more detailed post about it below if you want to see more photos and information about the various stops: Bubbly Baytowne: A Sip and Shop through the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin
Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival
- When: Saturday, October 12th, 2024
- Location: Market Shops at Sandestin
- Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
- Cost: $60
- Website for Tickets: https://themarketshops.com
This annual October festival features creative and innovative Bloody Mary’s made and served by the finest restaurants and bars on the Emerald Coast competing for the title of the best Bloody Mary.
A panel of judges will select winners for the most delicious and most creative. There will also be a people’s choice winner selected by the votes of guests in attendance. Tickets include unlimited tasting of up to 25 Bloody Mary’s served in specialty cups.
There will also be local craft brews, champagne from the Bubbly Bar as well as live music, entertainment and complimentary food provided by the Market Shop merchants. Popcorn is provided and you are also welcome to bring outside food and drinks.
The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival is across the street from the entrance to Village of Baytowne Wharf and happens to fall on the same day as the Baytowne Beer Festival in 2024. So that’s Bloody Marys from 11-2 and beer from 2-5 if you can handle both. Obviously make sure you have a designated driver!
Halloween Haunt at Destin Commons
- Location: Destin Commons Mall
- When: Friday, October 25th, 2024
- Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
- Cost: FREE
The Halloween Haunt event at Destin Commons is a night of family fun to include crafts, face painting, a costume contest with prizes, chalk displays, and safe trick-or-treating throughout the shops in the Commons.
Spooktacular Nights and Fireworks at Harborwalk Village
- When: Saturday October 26th, 2024
- Time: Various events each day
- Location: Harborwalk Village
- Cost: FREE
The Spooktacular Nights event at Harborwalk Village features kids crafts, trick or treating down the harbor, a spooky scavenger hunt, costume contest, & DJ dance party.
The costume contest will have winners in several categories of different children’s age groups, families and even a pet category. There are fireworks at 9pm over Destin Harbor on Saturday night.
For all the Best Places to Watch the Destin Harbor Fireworks, check out this post: Where to Watch the Destin Harbor Fireworks and 2024 Schedule of Shows
Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts
- When: Saturday, October 26th & Sunday October 27th, 2024
- Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village on Commons Drive in Destin
- Time: Saturday 9am-5pm | Sunday 10am-4pm
- Cost: FREE
The Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts is an annual tradition festival taking place in October in Destin. This is one of the Southeast’s premiere art festivals taking place over two days and featuring exhibits from over 100 fine artists.
The festival showcases a diverse variety of artistic styles in many different art mediums ranging from acrylics, oil, watercolor, clay, ceramic, glass, jewelry, metal, pottery, wood, ink, pastel and more.
Artists in the festival compete for cash prizes in 27 award categories, including the “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice Award” which are selected by festival fans.
The Mattie Kelly Arts Festival also features a live music lineup, hands-on arts and craft activities for children, souvenir posters and t-shirts, and a collaborative art exhibit showcasing select artwork of more than 60 community adult and student artists.
A diverse food menu is served up by local restaurants and there are food trucks and drinks available in the wine and beer garden.
Trick-or-Treat Street and Fireworks at the Village of Baytowne Wharf
- When: Thursday, October 31st, 2024
- Location: Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
- Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
- Cost: FREE
- Website: https://www.baytownewharf.com/
Baytowne Wharf’s annual Halloween event features live music and a dance party at the main stage, crafts, balloon animals, and a costume contest with a grand prize. Kids can also enjoy safely trick-or-treating throughout the Village shops.
Halloween night at Baytowne will end with a special holiday fireworks display at 8pm. The Halloween fireworks are one of my favorite shows of the year. they have Halloween music and theming and extra special fireworks bursts. For more info on the best viewing spots, check out my post here: The Best Places to Watch the Baytowne Wharf Fireworks
Tricks and Treasures with Fireworks at the Boardwalk
- When: Thursday October 31st, 2024
- Location: The Boardwalk and Fishing Pier on Okaloosa Island
- Time: 5pm-8pm | Fireworks at 8pm
- Cost: FREE
- Website: https://theboardwalkoi.com
Tricks and Treasures is the Halloween event at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island featuring a costume contest, live entertainment, carnival games, stilt-walkers, balloon artists and over 25 trick or treat stations.
Keep an eye out for the Parjai Squad Star Wars Characters as they traipse the Parking Lot Walkabout Parade! Captain Davy will also entertain everyone with pirate shenanigans, music and magic tricks! Fireworks are at 8pm set off at the end of the pier. For more information about the best viewing spots, check out my post here: The Best Places to Watch the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Pier Fireworks
McGuire’s Halloween 5k/10k Run
- When: Saturday October 26th 2024
- Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Location: Mcguire’s Irish Pub in Destin
- Cost: $40
- Website: https://mcguiresirishpub.com/special-events
The McGuire’s annual Halloween 5k and 10k events are the most entertaining running races in Destin. Every event McGuire’s puts on is a party and this is no exception.
Runners complete the course and then enjoy a huge post-race party with live entertainment, Irish food, Irish ale, and Irish Wakes–their signature orange juice and rum drink. A light pre-race breakfast of coffee, donuts, and bananas is also included.
The 10k option is for people who are more serious about the running and racing aspect since the 5k will be more people participating just for fun. Over half of the crowd is usually decked out in Halloween costumes.
Baytowne on Ice
- Location: Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
- When: Late October 2024 – Late January 2024
- Time: Days and times vary each week and month
- Cost: $14 for a 90-minute skating session
- Website: https://baytownewharf.com
The Baytowne Ice Rink is open from late October to Late January. It is set up under a large tent in the events plaza. The exact dates and times are not yet announced, but they will release a schedule for the season sometime in October.
The operating times vary each day depending on holidays and school schedules. Baytowne will release a calendar for the season on their website with the dates and times. The rink is also available for private events such as birthday parties and class trips starting at $300.
Skate rentals are available for a small fee or you are welcome to bring your own. Support bars are available for beginner children to hold while they skate around the ice.
I hope this post helps you find some great things to do in October in Destin.
Be sure to comment below if you have any questions or feedback. I love hearing from you and prefer to answer questions on here so my answers can help others as well. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list so you don’t miss any posts!
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Hi, I’m Sarah–the creator, writer and photographer behind this site. I sell prints, books, journals, and calendars all made from my Emerald Coast photography and I also manage a few vacation rentals on beautiful Holiday Isle in Destin if you want me to be your helpful, knowledgeable host when you visit.
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Ok Sarah you have sold me on October for my visit. Hopefully pushing back a month will help.
Thanks so much for posting so much information and the rankings.
Mike
October is so amazing, I’m glad!