Local Events

The Apalachicola River has been called “the Lifeblood of the Bay.” Freshwater from the river mixes with salty gulf creating Apalachicola Bay, one of the most pristine and productive estuaries in the country. The river has always played an important role in Apalachicola’s history and it is vital to our lives today. It is also a significant resource for the state of Florida, and its freshwater flow is critical to the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico.
Participants will learn about the ecology, culture, and history of the Apalachicola River and floodplain, as well as come to appreciate the impact interstate relationships play in the control of the river. After the in-class portion, participants will embark on a journey up the river aboard the ANERR research vessel Henry Lee to get an up-close look at some of the floodplain ecosystems and distributaries of the river.
Tickets for the class are free but must be claimed in advance from our eventbrite page.
Any questio (View Full Event Description Here: https://www.floridasforgottencoast.com/event/apalachicola-river-floodplain-class-3/2019-11-22/)

The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Presents the Apalachicola Christmas Celebration. The historic town of Apalachicola lights up the Day after Thanksgiving from 4- 8pm.
The streets will be lined with luminaries and filled with holiday spirit. Merchants will be open late and the sounds of carolers will echo through the streets filling the evening with the Holiday spirit.
Santa will arrive Via shrimp boat at 4:00 p.m. at Riverfront park on Water Street. He will be at the park to hear all the children’s Christmas wishes. The Orman & The Raney Houses will be decorated and open for tours. The Staff of The Chamber of Commerce will be giving out Hotdogs for all the children who come to visit Santa. New this year we will have A tide & seek Oyster Shell painting booth. So, the young and young at heart can paint some holiday shells to hide around the county.
The Santa Says… Read Booth, sponsored by the Dinner Divas and Bring Me A Book Franklin, will provide an age approp (View Full Event Description Here: https://www.floridasforgottencoast.com/event/downtown-christmas-celebration/)

All Franklin County communities will be official Neighborhood Champions for the Small Business Saturday campaign on Saturday, November 30. Small Business Saturday encourages people to patronize small businesses during the holiday season and throughout the year. Now more than ever, Franklin County is asking our residents and visitors to SHOP LOCAL, SHOP SMALL this holiday season!
The Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce is making Small Business Saturday an event of shopping, restaurants and fun in Carrabelle. Last year over 15 locations participated and we expect even more this year. Guests will be given a “Passport” sheet that lists all the official stops and are encouraged to visit as many as time allows. Visiting these locations will provide guests with a chance to win some fabulous door prizes all while simply exploring this wonderful area.  For more information on this event in the Carrabelle area, be sure to check the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page!
Apalachi (View Full Event Description Here: https://www.floridasforgottencoast.com/event/small-business-saturday/)

It’s a Christmas Homecoming for Mexico Beach! You and your family are invited to participate in our annual lighting of the Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 1st, starting at 6:00pm. This year’s event will be taking place on the Mexico Beach Shopping Center lawn in front of Mango Marley’s Restaurant (3016 Highway 98). Come ring in the holiday season with caroling, golf cart parade, lighting of the Christmas tree and a special visit from Santa himself! Enjoy complimentary refreshments while your child visits with Santa. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can take your child’s picture with Santa!
If you are interested in entering the golf cart parade, please contact Traci Gaddis at 850-648-5475 for details. The Mexico Beach Fire Department will be collecting new, unwrapped, toys to be distributed to children in our community. Contributions for this are greatly welcomed.

This event is a part of the Holidays on the Half Shell calendar. If you would like full information, please go to Visitgulf.com/Holidays.

Join us at the Corine Costin Gibson Memorial Library in Port St. Joe to listen to some fantastic sports speakers. The topics will include the history of sports in Port St. Joe with Kesley Colbert. Also, professional baseball player, Roman Quinn, will answer some questions about the importance of taking a break and enjoying time with family. If you have a question you would like to ask email us at [email protected]

Celebrate the season at St. George Island’s Lighthouse Park on Thursday, December 5 and enjoy the festive display of holiday lights on the Cape St. George Lighthouse, Visitor Center, and along Franklin Boulevard. There will be a Jingle Jog fun run, carolers, Santa and a tree lighting around sunset.

Join Eastpoint for the annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 6. Parade line up begins at 4 p.m. behind Seller’s Plaza. The parade runs down Highway 98, takes a right at Fisherman’s Choice and ends at the Eastpoint Pavilion where Santa will have yummy treats on hand and his helpers will give out toys to all the good little boys and girls.

The Port St. Joe Garden Club will host its annual Christmas in the Garden celebration on Saturday, December 7th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the garden center located at 216 Eighth Street in Port St. Joe. Admission is free and refreshments will be available all day. Handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list, festive home decor items, and delicious baked goods will be on sale to make your holiday preparations fun and easy. In the festooned gazebo, local photographer Reggie Smith will take photos of families and pets for a nominal fee ... no appointments will be necessary. As a bonus, three presentations are slated: Jessica Swindall, director of the Florida Coastal Conservancy will focus on Gulf County's sea turtles, Linda White, 2008 National Audubon Educator of the Year, will share her knowledge about Florida's eagles, and members Jeanne Schlicting and Linda Hamilton will demonstrate how herbs can enhance your holiday cooking. For further details and updates, visit the Port St. Joe Garden Club Facebook page.
Susan Wozniak
PSJ Garden Club Publicity Chairperson
630-269-6726
[email protected]

December 7th from 10am – 4 pm the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce presents the Holiday Fresh Market. Why fight the crowds and traffic at the malls? 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. Buy hand crafted Apalachicola specialties such as baked goods, artwork, wood carving, pottery and hand knitted goods. Your gift shopping has never been easier! Located in front of the Dixie Theatre on Avenue E and Market Street.

Climb to the top of the lighthouse to see spectacular views of the sunset and full moon, and light refreshments are served. Contact Gift Shop for reservations.
The December full moon is called the Cold Moon for obvious reasons: winter is about to arrive and temperatures are dropping.  It’s getting cold!   Full Moon names are attributable to Native American tribes, most notably the Algonquin, who named the moons to mark the changing seasons.

This event is a part of the Holidays on the Half Shell calendar. If you would like full information, please go to Visitgulf.com/Holidays.

Join us at the Salinas Park Bayside for an evening of watching the sun go down over St. Joseph Bay.
Salinas Park will have a brand new nature observatory that will be open during the event for the best vantages of the sun going down.

Baytowne Vacation Rentals will be hosting this event with refreshments and a bonfire!

We hope you will join us for what has become a favorite Christmas event not only for the Carrabelle community, but for much of the Forgotten Coast. Enjoy some music while doing some holiday shopping with our downtown merchants and festival vendors. Munch on some treats and visit your favorite local restaurant or have dinner with one of our vendors. Lots of fun things for the children to see and do, including a visit with Santa! At dark-30, watch the Boat Parade of Lights along the Carrabelle River from your favorite viewing spot with a Fireworks Show Finale.