Take out your calendar and save the date. The city of Destin has several Christmas events you won’t want to miss.
Christmas Tree Lighting – November 30th
The City of Destin’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at the Destin Community Center on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. This is an outdoor event that the whole family can enjoy, complete with a visit from Santa Claus. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided and entertainment will be provided by the Destin Elementary School Choir.
A donation of one non-perishable food item will be collected for a family in need.
Destin Christmas Parade – December 9th
39th The annual Destin Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. The theme of this year’s parade is “Christmas Vacation.”
But now is the time to accept applications to participate in the parade, so organizers can add your organization to the lineup.
In lieu of admission fees, this year’s parade committee is asking for monetary donations or donations of new toys or products to give to underprivileged children this Christmas season.
Donations will be used to purchase gift cards for families.
Recommended gifts include baby dolls, balls, radio-controlled cars, Play-Doh, bicycles, board games, Barbie dolls, matchbox toys, and Legos. For older youth aged 11 to 17, hair dryers, makeup mirrors, mobile phone chargers, Nintendo gift cars, balls, curling irons, personal items (perfume, cologne).
Parade participants will line up at Destin Methodist Church on Beach Drive. Participants will have access to parking at Destin Elementary School, Corpus Christi Catholic Church and First Baptist Church on Beach Drive. Shuttles will be available to transport people to Destin Methodist’s staging area.
Applications to participate in the parade must be submitted to the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Avenue, by 5 p.m., Dec. 1. For more information, call 850-654-5184.