The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach has announced Winter WonderIsland, a holiday-themed event set to run from November 28, 2025, through January 5, 2026. The event will feature coastal winter activities and entertainment for families and visitors along the Emerald Coast.
During Winter WonderIsland, the resort will offer Coastal Winter Chalets for private rental. Each chalet accommodates up to eight guests and includes amenities such as a tabletop fire pit, s’mores kits, hot cocoa kits, and dedicated cocktail service. Chalet reservations also include one hour of access to the on-site curling rink.
April Sarver, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach, said: “The holidays are a special time along the Emerald Coast, and we wanted to create something that truly captures the coastal magic. Winter WonderIsland brings together everything we love about the season – community, connection and celebration – all with the beauty of the Gulf as the backdrop.”
Guests can participate in activities such as curling by the shoreline and sample themed cocktails including the Island Exclusive Old Fashioned, Bah Humbug, Spiced Holly, and Mistletoe Margarita. The event will also feature food trucks, live entertainment, holiday displays for photo opportunities, and a red mailbox in the lobby for letters to Santa.
Throughout December, weekly rotating activities are planned for all ages. These include holiday movie nights, gingerbread house decorating sessions, hot chocolate Fridays, Breakfast with Santa on December 13th, Cookies & Crafts with The Grump on December 20–21st, a Christmas dinner buffet on December 25th, and a Noon Kids’ Eve Ball Drop on December 31st. Adults can attend a midnight champagne toast in Coastal Kitchen on New Year’s Eve.
A key highlight is The Island’s fifth annual Beachy Little Christmas: A Sandcastle Spectacular scheduled for Saturday, December 13th from noon to 4 p.m. This public event features live music, local vendors, crafts activities for children and families, a meet-and-greet with Misty the Mermaid—a recurring character at the resort—and sandcastle building competitions.
Winter WonderIsland aims to combine traditional holiday celebrations with elements unique to its Gulf-front location.
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach was established in 1966 on Okaloosa Island. It offers private beach access along the Gulf of Mexico with various amenities including three pools—one featuring a swim-up bar called The Grotto—multiple dining options onsite and more than 24,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Guests can experience live music events as well as family-friendly activities like beachside yoga throughout their stay. For more information or reservations visit www.theislandfl.com or contact their toll-free number.
