How to Spend a Winter Vacation in South Walton

As the holiday season heats up and things start to get crazy everywhere else, the beach stays laid back.

That's why winter is the perfect time to start a new tradition in South Walton. While everyone else is worrying about all the details, you can kick back and enjoy yourself on the sugar-white sand!

Plan a holiday in a new setting, with family or friends.

During a season that loves its traditions, there's always room for brand new ones. Bring your family to the beach for Thanksgiving or Christmas once, and we're sure you'll start planning to return for years to come. Similarly, a Friendsgiving in South Walton is sure to set itself apart from any other event you plan with your nearest and dearest.

In addition to being relaxed and unplugged for the holidays, you can also count on some truly sensational meals. The Thanksgiving spreads at Stinky's Fish Camp and Great Southern Café have become legendary, both for the food and the atmosphere. With the freshest Gulf seafood and local produce, you're in for a Turkey Day unlike any you've ever experienced.

If a Christmas celebration is what you're looking for, restaurants like Havana Beach Bar & Grill in Rosemary Beach go all out, offering a traditional festive dinner and kids' events like cookie decorating with Santa. And just steps away in South Barrett Square, the 25-foot Christmas tree is a majestic spectacle your family will anticipate each year.

An annual holiday tradition in DeFuniak Springs is Mistletoe Market. Each Saturday in December, a wide variety of vendors gathers on Baldwin Avenue between 7^th and 8^th Streets – offering hand-crafted gifts, unique finds and tasty treats. Pick up a few special presents, or simply enjoy a little people watching and browsing.

True to its name, Christmas Reflections turns Lake DeFuniak at Chipley Park into a shimmering mirror of holiday illumination that complements the charming Victorian homes surrounding it. More than 10 million lights are part of the breathtaking display – truly a must-see. There are also thousands of decorations adding to the scene of this ongoing event. And Santa has a fun workshop to keep kids of all ages entertained.  

Sneak off on a romantic getaway.

The beach is also the perfect escape for you and that special someone. Relaxing and unwinding is easy here, and you can be as engaged and activity-oriented as you choose.

Whether you stay in a cozy beach cottage or an all-inclusive resort, you can pick the accommodations that form home base for the trip of your dreams.

Pamper each other with a spa day. Choose from manicures, pedicures, facials, scrubs or a couple's massage at a luxurious spa in one of our 16 beach neighborhoods. Engage in retail therapy and shop for gifts in local boutiques or at one of the country's largest designer outlet centers.

Gallery hop and take in the world-class local art, or simply enjoy the spectacularly pristine natural setting. The historic downtown of DeFuniak Springs is filled with local shops and restaurants. Stroll along these quaint streets, popping in and out of a few boutiques before treating yourself to an incredible meal.

If you haven’t already, you’ll soon discover why the warm winter in South Walton is the ideal time to plant the seeds of a new holiday tradition that you and your loved ones can celebrate for years to come.