Events in Okaloosa County today

The fifth edition of the Harbor Ride will set off from the Marler St parking lot. Plan to arrive early so there is time to get ready before launch.

Now in its seventh edition, the Bluewater Ride will set off from the parking area by Blissful Beauty Bar. Plan to arrive a little early so there is time to get ready before the start. Registration opens in mid August.

Celebrate after the Witch Ride | Niceville with a relaxed brunch offering food and beverages, entertainment, raffles, competitions, and more. A friendly wrap-up to the event for attendees to enjoy.

A post-ride Gathering Brunch at The Edge Seafood features food and drinks, entertainment, raffles, competitions, and more following Witch Ride | Destin.

An advanced blacksmithing session focused on forge welding, sometimes called the black art of the craft. Learn consistent techniques for joining iron and steel while creating three chain links with scarf welds, and build a solid understanding of coal fire management. The finished links can make a great prop for a Halloween costume. Prior study is advised, with an Introduction to Blacksmithing recommended beforehand.

A rotating lineup of hands-on classes is offered on Fridays and Saturdays, with blacksmithing available most weeks. Each month includes at least one beginner introduction and an open forge session. Every quarter, the schedule expands to include artistic welding, wood turning, leatherwork, wood carving, drop spindle spinning to make yarn, stained glass, and enamel. New classes are added regularly.

Celebrate the end of pumpkin season at The Thicket with Halloween fun, sweet treats, and fall charm. Costumes are encouraged for all ages, and Kaainoa’s Hawaiian Grill will offer food. The celebration also hints at more to come at The Thicket.

Fall Fest 2026 takes place at Lil’ Commando Park on Hurlburt Field in Fort Walton Beach. Presented by Hurlburt Field and Eglin Federal Credit Union, this free community celebration features Halloween fun for all ages with Trunk or Treat, voting for the best decorated vehicle, and plenty of sweets. Participants can enter a decorated vehicle at no cost, with limited spaces available. The Haunted Trail welcomes brave guests or volunteers who want to perform as part of the spooky cast. Enjoy carnival games, food booths, contests with prizes, and more. Volunteers are needed for the Haunted Trail and other roles. Costumes are encouraged, and the festival continues a major fall tradition at Hurlburt Field. A rain out alternative is planned.

Families can enjoy the seventh annual trick or treat night at Camp Timpoochee in Niceville, featuring safe cabin-to-cabin candy stops, costumes, and family-friendly fun. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Organizers ask attendees to mark Going to help estimate turnout and make sure the candy supply lasts. The event will include announcements of 2027 summer camp dates and a drawing for a free registration for a week of day camp. Raffle entries are a suggested donation of $5 for one or $20 for five. The Timpoochee table will share details on year-round programs, upcoming summer dates, and scholarship information. The OneBlood Big Red Bus will be onsite for those who wish to donate blood, a process that can take as little as 8 to 10 minutes. Donors receive a $20 eGift card and a OneBlood Halloween T-shirt, and adults can donate while kids try the monster maze. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. Please leave pets at home. Activities take place entirely outdoors on uneven ground and paths. Local groups and businesses handing out treats include BayArea Awards & Engraving, Inc., Emerald Coast Science Center, Hurricane Lanes, Niceville Masonic Lodge, North Bay Fire Department, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, PNB Community Bank, and Smileology. Sponsorship opportunities are available to host a decorated cabin or tent and share candy with the community, and all sponsors are entered into a decorations contest with a prize for the winner. All proceeds support programmatic and facility development at 4-H Camp Timpoochee.

Riverside Elementary students and their families can enjoy an evening of music, dancing, and a costume competition. School-appropriate costumes are welcome, but props are not allowed. Admission is free, and donations for the playground fundraiser will be accepted. Pizza combos, snacks, drinks, candy, tattoos, and other extras will be available for purchase. Please bring cash or check for purchases and the tattoo station. Parents must stay with their students throughout the dance.

Settle into a soothing Yoga Nidra session guided by Neil at Yoga By You. Through gentle breath awareness, systematic body sensing, and intentional relaxation, participants are invited to drift toward the quiet threshold between wakefulness and sleep. The focus is deep rest and inner exploration, with Neil offering clear guidance so you can simply relax and listen. This experience is open to all levels, including those new to yoga. Arrive comfortable and ready to unwind.

Celebrate Halloween with a festive pub crawl through Fort Walton Beach that features six stops, live music, and a spirited atmosphere. Start at any participating venue and make sure to finish at The Block to complete the route. To be eligible for all prizes, participants must visit all six locations, which include Salty Duck, Jake & Henry's, Fokker's, Coasters, Downtown Music Hall, and The Block. There is no fee to take part, and attendees must be 21 or older. Each venue will offer a variety of food and drink specials to keep the fun going.

A lively mix of karaoke and dancing welcomes friends and family. Guests can step up to the mic for the first time, try a new song or explore a different genre, or simply enjoy people watching. A DJ guides the evening and keeps the music flowing. Open to the public on Friday nights, and tips for the DJ are appreciated.

Enjoy a free-to-play trivia night in Niceville’s Bluewater Bay, now a second home for a popular local quiz. Test your knowledge alongside fellow trivia fans and sip on brews while you play.

Connect with your inner goddess in a welcoming heels dance drop-in for adults at Studio6twenty5 in Destin. Class starts with a jazz-inspired warm up and focused technique drills, then moves into across-the-floor progressions and choreography. The training blends jazz, ballet, and contemporary influences for a heels style with a feminine, expressive feel that supports confident, powerful movement. Newcomers and seasoned dancers are both supported, with an emphasis on showing up for yourself, embracing strength, and polishing artistry. Athletic wear is recommended. Footwear may include jazz shoes, ballet shoes, socks, stilettos, or ballroom shoes.

1LIFE Run Club hosts a welcoming 3-mile fun run at Crab Trap Destin - James Lee Park Beach Access in Destin. Choose your own pace, whether running, jogging, or walking. First-timers are encouraged, there is no sign-up required, and bringing a great attitude is all that is needed. The focus is on moving your body, meeting friendly people, and starting the weekend on a positive note. The run takes place in any weather.

Local blacksmiths and anyone interested in the craft gather at TraditionsWorkshop for a community meet-up centered on learning and collaboration. After setup, a demonstration will showcase a technique learned at a recent conference. The gathering winds down when weather, daylight, or energy levels signal it is time to wrap up. Participants will also help load the trailer in preparation for a forging competition at Timber Creek. For safety, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and natural fiber clothing for pants and a shirt or jacket, and avoid synthetic fabrics. Lunch is provided, and material donations are appreciated, including coal.

Ease into the weekend with brunch at AJ's Oyster Shanty. Enjoy a range of brunch dishes alongside bottomless mimosas for an easygoing, celebratory vibe. Perfect for special occasions or a relaxed meetup with friends and family, this brunch is all about savoring the weekend together.

Centered on culture, community, and impact, the Emerald Coast Hispanic Heritage Festival celebrates the traditions and contributions of Hispanic cultures through music, dance, food, art, and meaningful connections. This family-friendly experience invites residents and visitors to enjoy an immersive day featuring live performances, regional cuisine, artisan vendors, interactive exhibits, and engaging activities for all ages. Every element is crafted to highlight the diversity that enriches the community while creating opportunities to learn, connect, and be inspired. The festival also offers ways for businesses, organizations, artisans, food vendors, nonprofits, performers, and community partners to take part by showcasing products or services, sharing their missions, or supporting cultural programming through sponsorship. These partnerships help preserve traditions, uplift local artists and entrepreneurs, broaden educational opportunities, and keep the event welcoming and accessible for everyone. Guests can look forward to vibrant entertainment, authentic flavors, cultural exploration, shopping, family fun, and lasting memories. Whether honoring personal roots or discovering something new, there is something for everyone, with a focus on shared humanity, creativity, and a positive impact that extends beyond the festival.

Downtown Crestview comes alive for the Main Street Crestview Association Annual Fall Festival, featuring family friendly activities, seasonal shopping, and Halloween fun alongside a variety of vendors and food trucks. Children can enjoy a complimentary kids zone, and everyone is welcome to visit the community trunk or treat. It is an easygoing place to shop, eat, and play before heading out for evening trick or treating, and it remains a favorite autumn tradition for the downtown area.

https://emeraldcoastchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/signups/3876879

Packed with ghoulish goody bags and candy, this spooky gathering features eerie touches at every turn. Expect evil spiders, wandering ghosts, and menacing zombies for a fun dose of fright alongside the sweets.

Martin Lane brings a Nashville-flavored performance to LuLu’s Destin on the Choctawhatchee Bay, featuring layered harmonies and an expansive set of classic rock staples and 90s country favorites. From the polished vocals of Fleetwood Mac to the high-energy hits made famous by Shania Twain, the show aims to keep the party going as guests take in the waterfront views and enjoy the food.

Bike Night rolls into Downtown Music Hall in Fort Walton Beach with Josh Davis delivering his brand of outlaw country. A two-time Josie Music Awards Artist of the Year and a combat-disabled veteran, Davis kicks off a two-night Fort Walton Beach double header with an opening show tailored for riders and country fans. Attendees can bring their bikes, meet up with friends, grab a drink and settle in for four hours of live music. This is night one, with round two arriving later that night.

Samuel’s Roadhouse presents a Halloween-themed dinner theater featuring Murder at the Monster Bash, a comedic mystery by Paula Hilton. The story centers on Ivana Crump, who throws a costume fundraiser for HOWSA, then rethinks everything after discovering what lies beneath the restaurant. Before the night is over, the coffin on display might be more than a simple decoration. The experience includes a three course dinner with a choice of steak, jumbo fried shrimp, or oven roasted chicken, served with a house salad with ranch, a baked potato, and a mystery dessert. Admission is $50 and includes the meal, the show, tax, and tip. VIP packages are available.

Celebrate Halloween while supporting Kada’s Promise, a local nonprofit that provides children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma with comfort items and other essentials. Admission is free, with a $25 donation to Kada’s Promise offered as an alternative to wearing a costume. The evening features DJ V Train from AJ’s, lite bites, the Tipsy Mule Bar, Heaven Sent Permanent Jewelry, Goddess Heels, and a silent auction benefiting the nonprofit.

Settle in for a Sunday breakfast with cooked to order plates for $12 and weekly specials. Enjoy good food and easy conversation while volunteers show off their balancing skills with plates and coffee cups. Bloody Marys and mimosas are also available. Those who want to volunteer can check in with the cashier.

A weekly free bookstore from Gulf Coast Media where every book is free. Attendees can bring gently used books to exchange or simply choose a few new reads to take home. It is open to everyone and offers a chance to clear shelves, discover new stories, and connect with fellow readers in the community. In addition to books, there are $1 DVDs and CDs, plus video games, VHS, and gifts. Please limit selections to 10 books or fewer per household per visit.

An informal gathering hosted by the Playground Amateur Radio Club brings together club members and interested participants to test equipment, tune setups, develop skills, and learn about amateur radio. The session features hands-on projects, instruction, and RF experiments. Participants also use this time to pursue worldwide DX and receive training in operating procedures across multiple modes, from analog and digital to computer assisted contesting. Attendees can explore the RF topics that interest them most.

Enjoy 10 games of bingo with cash prizes. All 10 games cost $20, and you can bring a dauber or purchase one for $2. Food and drinks are available for purchase, along with free drawings and a 50-50 cash prize. The event is open to the public, and participants must be 18 or older.

Put your trivia knowledge to the test with a free-to-play night of friendly competition. Bring your team, enjoy drinks and food, and come ready with your best answers.

Enjoy a Monday trivia challenge at Taskforce Pizza Crestview, with food and brews available. Active-duty military members and veterans can receive free slices during the first hour.

A play-based group therapy session for children ages 9 to 15 months, with one parent or guardian. The hour-long session focuses on speech, language, and feeding. The cost is $40 per child, and insurance is not accepted.

A play-based group therapy offering for children ages 1.5 to 2.5, with activities focused on speech sounds, language, and feeding and oral motor skills. Sessions target age-appropriate sounds through play, along with following directions, play skills, turn-taking, identifying common items, songs and rhymes, and body parts. Feeding and oral motor activities are also age appropriate. The special rate is $40 per child.

A play-based speech and language therapy group for children ages 2.5 to 3.5. Activities target age-appropriate speech sound development, following directions, turn-taking, naming and identifying nouns, adjectives, and verbs, songs and rhymes, and early literacy skills. Feeding and oral motor support may also be addressed if needed. The listed special rate is $40 per child.

A play-based speech and language group therapy experience for children ages 4 to 5, featuring pre-kindergarten activities. Speech practice focuses on age-appropriate phonemes, while language activities include following directions, taking turns, learning nouns, verbs, adjectives, and categories, phonemic awareness, early literacy, counting, and more. A special rate of $40 per child is available from October through December.

Legendary Marine in Destin presents a recurring seminar series designed for anglers who want to sharpen skills and return with more than stories. Each session offers guidance from seasoned pros, conversation with fellow anglers, and practical tips to elevate time on the water. Topics include red and black snapper, tarpon, offshore trolling and fishing FADs for mahi, wahoo, and tuna, amberjack and grouper, blackfin tuna, an open mic centered on the Destin Fishing Rodeo, and winter inshore strategies.

Put your trivia knowledge to the test at Rick’s Crab Trap, a local Fort Walton Beach staple for more than 25 years. Trivia is free to play, and the restaurant offers seafood and cold drinks.

A community food pantry offering groceries to those in need and a welcoming opportunity for others to lend a helping hand.

Emerald Coast Storytellers’ After-Hours Writing Night offers a welcoming space for writers at every stage to meet, talk about their craft, workshop ideas, and work on something in progress or begin a new piece. The gathering includes a brief welcome, dedicated writing time with optional prompts, and time to share, connect, and encourage one another. The theme explores what may be extraordinary in the familiar things already around us. A full kitchen is available, and attendees may bring dinner or snacks.

Enjoy a free-to-play music bingo night for all ages, with a chance to win free pizza. Wings are 25% off throughout the night. Seating is limited.

Enjoy a guided, all-levels yoga class inside Gulfarium’s Living Sea Aquarium, surrounded by marine life and the aquarium’s soft glow. Led by a professional instructor from Prana Yoga, the class offers an hour of movement, stretching, and relaxation in a peaceful indoor setting. Participants must be at least 12 years old, bring their own yoga mat and a refillable water bottle, and wear comfortable athletic clothing. General admission to Gulfarium is not required.