The Destin Seafood Festival is Back!

Have you ever heard of the Destin Seafood Festival? It is one of the most popular events throughout the year along the entirety of the Gulf Coast. The city has postponed the festival since 2019 so this year is sure to be the most exciting year yet to make up for the lost time.

The Destin Seafood Festival is a weekend-long event where there is constant live music, kid’s games, vendors, fresh seafood, and more. You can visit each day of the festival and still discover something new every time you walk along the harbor. This year the event is being held October 7th – 9th and is located along the Destin harbor. It extends past Destin’s HarborWalk Village and continues along multiple restaurants situated on the docks.

It grows each year with new vendors, but there are also a few booths that have been here since the beginning. This event is one that locals take pride in. It celebrates the Destin community and welcomes visitors to get to know the history of the area a bit more. As a bonus, this year the festival will kick off the Destin Fishing Rodeo. The Fishing Rodeo is another fall event in Destin that is beloved throughout the city.

Where to Stay

There are tons of vacation rentals in Destin to choose from, however, if you are hoping to make the most of the festival and visit every day, there are a few things to consider. You could stay within walking distance of the venue and not have to worry about parking. Or you could stay just close enough to where you will have to drive, but be separated and enjoy more of the beach. We have listed a few options for you to consider below.

COTTAGES BY THE BAY

If you are traveling with family and need a larger space, consider booking one or more of the Cottages by the Bay. These homes are within walking distance of the Destin harbor so no need to worry about parking! Each rental is charming, comes with a fully equipped kitchen, and offers amenities including a fire pit, pool, and more.

What to Expect

Admission to the festival is free, however, expect to pay for parking. There will be parking within the HarborWalk Village but be prepared for this parking lot to be the first to fill up. This year, the festival is expected to bring in 60,000 people throughout the weekend. At the last festival in 2019, there were over 110 vendors offering food and art, in addition to local restaurants.

You can experience the festival by walking along the harbor and stopping at booths that catch your eye, or perch on the back patio of a local Destin restaurant and enjoy the sounds of live music coming from the festival. No matter how you choose to enjoy this event, it is a great activity for all ages.

Around every corner, you will find delicious fresh seafood, festival classics such as funnel cakes, local art, crafts for kids, and so much more. The Destin Seafood Festival is held during the fall season so you can savor time in the sun without the heat of the summer.

Destin Fishing Rodeo

As we mentioned earlier, the Destin Seafood Festival is held on the opening weekend of the Destin Fishing Rodeo. The rodeo extends throughout the entire month of October. This means you can enjoy it even if you aren’t visiting the Seafood Festival. It is an event that anglers from all over the Gulf Coast look forward to each year. This event features daily weigh-ins, a visit from Miss Destin, and excitement around each boat that pulls into the docks. We highly encourage visiting at least one evening of weigh-ins. It is an amazing experience watching the community come together to watch as boats unload giant fish. Your kids will love it! You might get lucky and watch as they pull in a massive shark caught hundreds of miles offshore.

Book your stay today and start packing for an exciting weekend enjoying the Destin Seafood Festival!