Professional Holiday Light Displays on the Emerald Coast

Christmas time is here and you know what that means - Holiday lights are going up! If you are in the Destin / Fort Walton / Defuniak area this Christmas, stop by the following displays and enjoy the colorful, animated signs of the season. This makes my second Christmas here on the Emerald Coast, so I can vouch for each of these displays being amazing to view!

Destin Commons Shopping Center has transformed into a holiday, winter oasis. Come out to see the 50' Christmas tree that is adorned with lights. It has been lit since early November and will remain in the Commons through December of course. In addition, all the stores are decorated with holiday decor for you to enjoy. On each Tuesday and Thursday of December, there will be area school students and church choirs singing spirited carols for shoppers and spectators. This will be held at Center Plaza beginning at 6pm. Destin Commons Shopping Center is located at the intersection of Emerald Coast Parkway and Legendary Drive.

Destin's annual Christmas Boat Parade will once again be held this year in the Harbor. It will be Sunday night, December 9, 2007. The show features an hour of creative light displays showcased from area private and charter boats. The boats parade down the Harbor as on lookers cheer and comment on them. The festivities begin at 5pm as carolers entertain the docks along the harbor. Then at 6pm, the parade begins. The best views are going to be from AJs (inside, outside, or on the rooftop bar), along the docks, and from the shores of Norriega Point on Holiday Isle. At 7:30pm, there will be an awards ceremony for the best decorated boats at the JET Party Barge. Destin Harbor is the body of water located off Emerald Coast Parkway to your right just as you come off the East Pass Bridge into Destin.

Fort Walton Beach will light up their holiday tree on December 1 at 5:30pm at the Fort Walton Landing. Stop by any night through December and see the tall, festive tree and walk around the waterfront park to see the other holiday decorations too. Take a seat on the park bench and just soak up the cheery spirit given off by these beautiful lights by the waterway. The Landing is located on Brooks Street in downtown Fort Walton Beach.

Lake Defuniak in Defuniak Springs is decorated with more than 4.5 million lights this year!! The shores around the Lake are decorated to the max with holiday characters, animated items, Nativity scenes, lights in the trees, etc. All the lights are reflected in the Lake - which is fitting seeing that this event is called "Christmas Reflections." This event is open until New Years Eve. Head up to Defuniak Springs on Highway 331 and you can't miss the entrance - its lit up and lined with candy canes. The gates open at sunset each night and the cost is $3 per person. This festive light display will definitely please the kids and put the joy of Christmas in your hearts.

The Silver Sands Factory Stores mall started up its Holiday Lights in Concert event on November 18th. It will run each night through December 25 from 5pm until 9pm. The holiday concert features a display of red, green, and white colorful LED lights on a 42-foot Christmas tree. The lights are synchronized to popular, favorite Christmas songs. This neat, free event takes place in the Courtyard by Saks Fifth Avenue. Silver Sands Factory Stores are just down the road from Destin Commons on Emerald Coast Parkway towards Sandestin.

Sources:

"2007 Holiday Events", www.CityofDestin.com

"Events Calendar", www.beachesofsouthwalton.com