📅 When
December 11, 2026 – December 12, 2026
18:00 – 21:00
📍 Where
1958 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
About this event
Every December, the Fort Walton Beach Police Department transforms the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center on Lewis Turner Boulevard into a free holiday wonderland for the community. The Emerald Coast Winter Wonderland features a walk-through Christmas village made of beautifully decorated pallet houses, games for kids, a Toys for Tots donation drive, local food trucks, artisan vendors, raffle prizes, and a chance for families to connect with local law enforcement in a warm, festive setting.
The event runs for two evenings in mid-December, typically from 6 PM to 9 PM, and is completely free for all ages. In recent years it has grown into one of Fort Walton Beach's most beloved community holiday traditions, drawing hundreds of families who come for the Christmas village atmosphere and stay for the food trucks and vendor booths.
The event's Toys for Tots component adds a meaningful dimension to the evening — bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate and help ensure local children wake up to gifts on Christmas morning. It's a rare combination of pure holiday fun and community giving that feels genuinely special to the whole Emerald Coast.
Exact 2026 dates will be announced by the Fort Walton Beach Police Department closer to December. Based on prior years, expect the event to fall on a Friday and Saturday in mid-December, 6–9 PM, at the Rigdon Center fairgrounds at 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd.
Best for: Families, children, Fort Walton Beach locals, community-minded visitors
What to expect: A free two-evening holiday festival hosted by the FWB Police Department featuring a walk-through Christmas village of decorated pallet houses, kids' games, food trucks, local artisan vendors, raffle prizes, and a Toys for Tots toy drive. Meet local officers in a warm community setting.
Planning tip: Bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Arrive by 6:30 PM to walk through all the Christmas village houses before the crowds peak. Free admission for all.
Cost: Free admission. Bring a toy donation for Toys for Tots.
