63rd Annual Florida Seafood Festival November 6-7
Florida's oldest maritime festival kicks off its 63rd year on Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, 2026, in historic Apalachicola. The festival is held at Battery Park overlooking the mouth of the Apalachicola River and attracts thousands of people eager to enjoy fresh local seafood, arts and crafts exhibits and the famous Oyster Eating and Shucking contests. This year's headline entertainer will be Kaleb Austin. Learn more here.
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Crooked River Lantern Fest Saturday November 14Lantern Fest will be celebrated on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 6-10 pm ET at Crooked River Lighthouse Park, 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle, FL. This unique, outdoor festival, best known for its awesome display of over a hundred colorful, hanging lanterns, lights up the night with magic and history at the 1895 maritime landmark. Special activities include amazing music and Bluegrass harmonies by the Bottom Dollar Boys and spectacular glow-in-the-dark performances from the Tallahassee State College Dance Company. Festival-goers can also enjoy special evening tower climbs, ancient craft demonstrations, enchanting glowing lantern displays, museum exhibits, and delicious food and desserts. Details. In advance of the festival, you can learn how to make your own lantern at two upcoming lantern-making workshops. The Asian Coalition of Tallahassee will host a 3D Star Lantern-making workshop on Saturday, November 7, from 2-6 pm at Chillas Hall, 156 Heffernan Drive, Lanark Village. A second jellyfish lantern-making workshop will be held November 13 from noon til 4 pm at the Lanark Boat Club, 2364 Hwy 98, Lanark Village. Details.
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Seafood on the Menu for Thanksgiving at Local Restaurants
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SGI Lighting of the Palms December 4
Kick off the holiday season with us at the St. George Island Lighting of the Palms event on Friday, December 4th from 4-6 pm at Lighthouse Park. There will be Christmas crafts & games, hot chocolate, cookies, books and gifts, and visits with Santa. The lighting of the palms will take place at dusk followed by the golf cart parade. This event is sponsored by the SGI Business Association. Details here.
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Lanark Village Holiday Bazaar November 28
The Lanark Village Wandering Star Quilters will host their annual holiday bazaar on November 28 from 9 am until 3 pm at the Lanark Village Boat Club. This is a great opportunity to start your holiday shopping and gift giving. Vendors will be on the front lawn, under the pavilion at the water's edge, and inside the Boat Club. A variety of crafted items will be available from laser-engraved wood products, personalized art, jewelry, cutting boards, handmade crafts and quilts. Enjoy the popular crockpot soup & sandwich lunch inside. Baked goods and quart soups will be for sale to take and enjoy later! Details.
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Eastpoint Christmas Celebration December 11
Join Eastpoint for the annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 11. Parade line up begins at 4 p.m. behind Seller’s Plaza. The parade begins at South Franklin Street and runs to First Street, then kids go to the Eastpoint Fire Station for their treats and gifts from Santa. Details.
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Carrabelle Holiday on the Harbor Festival and Boat Parade of Lights December 12
Carrabelle will host its 30th annual Holiday on the Harbor Festival and Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 12 along Carrabelle’s downtown waterfront beginning at noon and lasting until the boat parade at dark thirty. Enjoy an afternoon and evening of food and fun featuring a street festival with children’s activities. Merchants will be open late. In the evening, watch the parade of festive boats decked out in Christmas lights and decor in celebration of the holidays followed by a festive fireworks display. Details. |
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Bay Area Choral Society Performs Sunday, December 13The Bay Area Choral Society (BACS) will present “It’s Christmas!” on Sunday, December 13, at 4:00 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Apalachicola. Details.
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| Forgotten Coast Freedom Festival November 21
Get ready for an unforgettable day at the Forgotten Coast Freedom Festival Air Show on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Apalachicola Regional Airport! This family-friendly event benefits the Franklin Education Foundation and is packed with excitement for all ages.
Enjoy thrilling military flybys, aerobatic performances, and helicopter demos, plus the chance to see static aircraft displays, RC jet demos, drone shows, exotic car rides, a car and bike show, and so much more. Kids will love the Fun Zone, while live music, great food, vendors, and community booths add to the festival atmosphere. Details
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Apalachicola Downtown Christmas Celebration Nov. 27
The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Presents the Apalachicola Downtown Christmas Celebration on November 27 from 3:30- 9:30 pm. Apalachicola lights up the day after Thanksgiving and the streets will be lined with luminaries as merchants stay open late to welcome the season and early holiday shoppers. Santa arrives on a shrimp boat at 4 pm at Riverfront Park on Water Street the Chamber will hand out hot dogs for all the children who come to visit Santa. Details here.
Holiday Fresh Market December 5 in Apalach
The following weekend, on Saturday, December 5, the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce presents the Holiday Fresh Market. Come for the day or the weekend and find one-of-a-kind unusual presents. Shop in a relaxed, hassle-free environment in an outdoor setting. The fun annual event runs from 10am till 3pm and features hand-crafted Apalachicola specialties such as baked goods, artwork, wood carving, pottery and hand-knitted goods. Details.
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Empire Mica Talk November 10
The Apalachicola Historical Society will host a talk on the sinking and rescue of sailors aboard the historic vessel Empire Mica on Tuesday, November 10 at the Raney House in Apalachicola. Details. |
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SGI Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11
The St. George Lighthouse Association, in partnership with SGI Veterans Reveille Group, and the 106th American Legion in Apalachicola, invite everyone to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony in Lighthouse Park on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11 AM. Seating is limited, so please bring your own chairs. Details.
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| Lighthouse Full Moon Climb November 24
The historic Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will host a full moon climb on Tuesday, November 24. Visitors can enjoy this opportunity to view St. George Island, the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola bay under the evening sky. The Sunset and Full Moon Climb will begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until 7:30 p.m. A December climb will be held December 22. Details. The Crooked River Lighthouse will celebrate the Cold Moon at Twilight at the Tower on Saturday, December 19, from 6:00–8:00 pm ET in Carrabelle. This festive winter solstice celebration will feature live music by The Waterbirds, Christmas carols, poetry, and seasonal refreshments. Visitors can also enjoy after-hours visits to the Keeper’s House Museum, gift shop browsing, twilight tower climbs, and views of the natural surroundings of St. George Sound. Details.
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Can't wait till the weekend? The Apalachicola Downtown Market features fresh vegetables, gourmet goodies and more most Wednesdays from 9am to noon at 56 Commerce Street in Apalachicola.
Carrabelle
The Crooked River Lighthouse is hosting a Country Farmer's Market Saturday, November 7 and November 21 from 9 am-1 pm at the foot of the lighthouse at 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle Beach.
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