Florida’s Forgotten Coast, the easternmost portion of the Panhandle, is known for its unspoiled beauty, laid-back charm, and vibrant local culture. From seafood festivals and art shows to fishing tournaments and festive holiday parades, each month brings unique celebrations that reflect the spirit of this coastal community. We have curated the Top Annual Events on the Forgotten Coast for your monthly guide to fun.
January Events on Forgotten Coast
The Apalachicola Oyster Cook-Off is a beloved annual festival held each January in Apalachicola celebrating the oyster heritage and supporting the local volunteer fire department. The event is held at Riverfront Park, and features live music, a 5K fun run, children’s activities, a variety of local seafood, including oysters, shrimp, and smoked mullet, and an oyster cook-off competition. The event offers free admission and welcomes leashed pets.
February on the Forgotten Coast
If you're visiting the Forgotten Coast in February, don't miss the Mexico Beach Gumbo Cook-Off, a festive, family-friendly event. Held at The Mexico Beach Boat Ramp Park, this annual celebration features live music, Mardi Gras flair, and a delicious gumbo and Brunswick stew competition where you can sample mouthwatering entries from local chefs. For more details be sure to check out, All You Need To Know About The Mexico Beach Gumbo Cook-Off.
Every February, Apalachicola, Florida, hosts the Mardi Gras Barkus Parade & Street Festival. The event is a two-day celebration where dogs and their humans dress up in creative costumes and march through Riverfront Park.Organized by the Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers, the event features live music, food vendors, pet adoptions, and themed contests, with proceeds supporting local animal rescues.
March
The St. George Island Chili Cookoff is a must-experience event. Held annually around the first weekend of March, this lively, three-day festival combines beachside fun with serious chili competition, to support the island’s Volunteer Fire Department. Visitors can enjoy live music, a spirited 5K run, a golf tournament, local food and craft vendors, and, of course, endless samples of award-winning chili. With beautiful Gulf views and a festive atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to enjoy local flavor, meet friendly locals, and spice up your coastal getaway.
The Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Art Festival is a vibrant, ten-day prestigious art event featuring America's Great Paint‑Out, that reflects the region’s timeless beauty and culture. The event is held across coastal towns from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola. It features live demonstrations, quickdraw competitions, a charming Plein Air Church service, workshops, student mentoring, and an exhibition. Whether you're painting, collecting, or simply admiring, this immersive experience is a perfect blend of art, nature, and Old Florida charm.
April
April on Florida’s Forgotten Coast is a month packed with unique events that showcase the region’s charm and community spirit region’s charm and community spirit. The Annual St. George Island Brewfest takes place at Lighthouse Park. This seaside celebration features a wide selection of craft beers, live music, and food vendors, all benefiting the Franklin County Humane Society.
The Carrabelle Riverfront Festival offers a family-friendly experience along Marine Street. Enjoy live music, arts and crafts vendors, food booths, and activities like mini-train rides, a bouncy house, and a car show featuring classic and custom vehicles. The event is free, pet-friendly, and open to the public.
The Apalachicola Boat, Car & Golf Cart Show takes place at Riverfront Park. This unique event invites enthusiasts to display their boats, cars, motorcycles, RVs, and golf carts. Vehicle entry is $15, and admission to the show is free.
May on the Forgotten Coast
Each spring, Port St. Joe comes alive for the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival, a free, family-friendly celebration held at George Core Park overlooking St. Joseph Bay. You will enjoy live music, vendors, educational booths, interactive sea‐creature displays, a whimsical Sea Creature Parade, and kid-friendly conservation activities. The event is hosted by the Florida Coastal Conservancy and the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center, raising awareness and funds for turtle protection.
June
The GollyWhopper Classic is held every year in June in Mexico Beach. This one-day fishing tournament promises thrilling competition, fantastic fishing, and the chance to win cash prizes for anglers of all skill levels. The fishing tournament focuses on red snapper, king mackerel, and grouper. This event supports the Mexico Beach Fire Department.
July
You can enjoy a star-spangled Independence Day on the Forgotten Coast full of festivities and fireworks. Apalachicola offers an all‑day waterfront celebration at Riverfront Park featuring a parade, ice cream social, local food vendors, live music, and fireworks. Everyone loves the beachside fireworks at Mexico Beach, known as the Best Blast on the Beach Fireworks Show. There is also a festive golf‑cart parade on St. George Island.
August
Labor Day weekend kicks off in Port St Joe with the Annual Scallop Music and Arts Festival. George Core Park hosts this lively celebration of scallop season with fresh seafood, live music, arts and crafts, and family fun. Visitors can enjoy scallops cooked in every way imaginable, browse local vendors, and even join the Golden Scallop treasure hunt in St. Joseph Bay. With affordable tickets and beautiful bayfront views, it’s a fun and flavorful way to experience the Gulf Coast.
September events
The first Saturday in September opens License Free Salt Water Fishing Day. It’s the perfect opportunity for families, and novice anglers to cast a line in the gulf without a saltwater fishing license. Florida’s bag limits and size regulations still apply, so you’ll need to follow the usual rules, but the waiver makes it easy to enjoy a day on the water hassle-free. The rules are posted, so never fear, they won’t let you break any laws.
October
In Apalachicola, the annual Florida Seafood Festival takes place under the live oaks of Battery Park, offering fresh local seafood, oyster-sucking contests, blue‑crab races, a 5K run, parade, and live music.
Port St. Joe lights up in early October with The Forgotten Music Festival, a two‑day celebration at George Core Park featuring blues, Americana, and southern rock performances by talented artists.
Mid‑October brings the intimate Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival, where Nashville hitmakers share their stories and songs at venues across Port St. Joe.
Finally, Ghosts on the Coast turns Reid Avenue into a family‑friendly Halloween block party on October 31, complete with trick‑or‑treating, a costume contest, including pets, and spooky entertainment.
November
In November be sure to check out Carrabelle’s enchanting Crooked River Lantern Festival which lights up the night around the historic lighthouse with glowing lanterns, live music, dance performances, crafts, and tower climbs.
Apalachicola celebrates veterans at the Forgotten Coast Freedom Festival at the regional airport, featuring military aircraft, rides in a vintage UH‑1H helicopter, a car show, food vendors, kids’ activities, live music, and a flyover.
December
December is full of magic on The Forgotten Coast with December on festive cheer and a delightful lineup of holiday events. Mexico Beach and St. George Island light up with charming Christmas tree ceremonies, complete with golf-cart parades and visits from Santa.
Apalachicola embraces the season with Scrooge on Commerce street tour and an enchanting downtown celebration, where Santa arrives by shrimp boat. Carrabelle’s popular Holiday on the Harbor festival features a lighted boat parade, kids’ activities, crafts, food, live music, and fireworks. Port St. Joe hosts a festive Christmas on the Coast parade.
Ring in the New Year on Florida’s Forgotten Coast with a blend of seaside charm and hometown celebration. The highlight is Port St. Joe’s annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration, presented by the Gulf County Tourist Development Council and the City of Port St. Joe, lighting up the night sky over St. Joseph Bay.
If you're up for a midnight second celebration, Mexico Beach lies just across the border into Central Time, letting you toast again to the new year in a unique coastal spin with fireworks on the beach.
Book Your Stay on The Forgotten Coast any time of the year
The Forgotten Coast offers a glimpse of coastal Florida through its unforgettable annual events. Each celebration brings the community to life in its own unique way. Make the most of your trip by booking your stay with Panhandle Getaways, offering a wide selection of comfortable, coastal vacation rentals just steps from the action.