30A Holiday Season 2026: Tree Lightings, Markets, Santa and New Year's Eve

Updated November 2, 2026

From the weekend before Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, the 30A towns put on a full holiday season: tree lightings, a parade, holiday markets, free photos with Santa and fireworks over the Gulf. Here is the 2026 lineup, checked against each organizer's own page. Times are Central, and organizers note that details can change.

Tree lightings on 30A

• Alys in Winter Wonderland, Fri Nov 27, 4–6:30 PM: a free event at the Alys Beach Amphitheatre with a holiday concert at 4, letters to Santa and face painting, ending with the tree lighting with Santa at 6:30. Activity lines close at 5:45.
• Seaside Turn on the Town, Sat Nov 28, 3–8 PM: the Holiday Parade along 30A, a performance by Emerald Coast Theatre Company at Krier Plaza, then the lighting of the town in the Amphitheater.
• WaterColor tree lighting, Sat Nov 28: part of the Old Florida Holiday Winter Market (3–9 PM) in Town Center and Cerulean Park.
• Rosemary Beach: Rosemary Beach's official calendar hasn't posted its 2026 tree lighting yet. Check rosemarybeach.com/events closer to the date.

Holiday markets and shopping

• Old Florida Holiday Winter Market, Sat Nov 28, 3–9 PM, WaterColor: horse-drawn carriage rides, local artists and vendors, and pictures with Santa.
• Rosemary Beach Holiday Tour of Homes, Sat Dec 5: check in at North Barrett Square, then take a self-guided walk through decorated homes. Tickets are sold through Rosemary Beach.
• Seaside Holiday Market, Sun Dec 6, 10 AM–4 PM: local artisans and makers in the heart of Seaside. Seaside's holiday article describes it as Dec 5–6, while its event page lists Dec 6 only, so confirm Saturday before you go.
• Miracle at The Daytrader: Seaside says Northwest Florida's only Miracle holiday pop-up bar returns this season.

Santa on 30A

• Breakfast with Santa, Fri Nov 27, 8 AM–noon: Fish Out of Water at WaterColor Inn, first come, first served.
• Photos with Santa in Seaside, Dec 12–23, 4–6 PM nightly: free photos in the Christmas Village.
• Santa also appears at Alys in Winter Wonderland (Nov 27), Turn on the Town (Nov 28) and the WaterColor market (Nov 28).

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining

• Cuvée 30A, Thu Dec 24, 4–8:30 PM: Christmas Eve dinner at 30Avenue; reservations through the restaurant.
• Fish Out of Water, Fri Dec 25, 5–9 PM: Christmas Day features plus the à la carte and kids' menus at WaterColor Inn. No reservations.

New Year's Eve on 30A

Seaside New Year's Eve, Thu Dec 31, 4–9 PM: family activities, arts and crafts and face painting in Central Square, live music from 5:30 PM, and fireworks at 9 PM. Seaside suggests bringing a blanket or lawn chair to the Amphitheater or the beach.

We've left out a few holiday events listed on third-party sites that we couldn't confirm on the organizers' own pages yet. We'll add them once they're posted.

Holiday weather

December on 30A is cool and comfortable for walking around town. NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for the nearest airport station average about 66°F for a December high and 44°F for a low. Bring a jacket for evening events on the water.

A cozy base for the holidays

Golden Hour Dunes is a top-floor, one-bedroom condo in the Inlet Dunes community on the east end of 30A. It sleeps six (a king bedroom, a hallway bunk nook and a queen sleeper sofa), has a full kitchen, an in-unit washer and dryer and a private balcony, and shares a community pool. The sand is about a two-minute walk away, and Rosemary Beach is about five minutes by car. It is a third-floor walk-up, and it books through our local manager, Ocean Reef Resorts.

Want even more ideas for the season? See our 30A Thanksgiving week guide and 30A in winter.

More about the condo: our 30A vacation rental and the Golden Hour Dunes home page. Other guides: 30A Thanksgiving Guide, 30A in Winter, Inlet Beach vs Rosemary.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Seaside Holiday Parade in 2026?

Saturday, November 28, 2026, as part of Turn on the Town (3–8 PM). The parade runs along 30A, followed by the lighting of the town in the Seaside Amphitheater.

When is the Alys Beach tree lighting?

Friday, November 27, 2026, at Alys in Winter Wonderland. The free event runs 4–6:30 PM, and the tree lighting with Santa is at 6:30 PM.

Where can kids see Santa on 30A?

Free photos with Santa in Seaside's Christmas Village run Dec 12–23, 4–6 PM. Santa also appears at Alys in Winter Wonderland (Nov 27), Turn on the Town and the WaterColor winter market (both Nov 28), and Breakfast with Santa at Fish Out of Water (Nov 27).

Are there fireworks on 30A for New Year's Eve?

Yes. Seaside's New Year's Eve runs 4–9 PM on Dec 31, 2026, with live music from 5:30 and fireworks at 9 PM.

When is the Rosemary Beach tree lighting?

Rosemary Beach hasn't posted its 2026 date on its official calendar yet. Check rosemarybeach.com/events.