September 19

Women in Science Conference is September 19th from 5:30-7:30pm at The Place on Beal in Fort Walton Beach. It’s an evening of inspiring presentations from local female STEM professionals followed by a panel Q&A. This is an excellent evening for all ages and genders looking to explore STEM opportunities right here in Okaloosa, hosted by Emerald Coast Science Center and BAE Systems.

This year, our speakers will discuss what inspired them to pursue their careers and what makes them so rewarding, how they have overcome challenges as women in STEM, and offer advice to young women interested in STEM careers and educations. All speakers will be a part of a panel discussion toward the end of the event to take questions from the audience.

Tickets are $10 for adults, students are free. Get more details here. Students will still need to register for tickets in order for us to ensure we do not exceed the number of attendees our space can host.

September 23

September 27

Sinfonia Cabaret – An Evening with Laura Benanti, September 27th at 5:30 pm at Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood.

Don’t miss this extraordinary enchantment of Tony Award-winning Broadway star Laura Benanti in a one-night-only solo concert. Known for her brilliant performances in iconic musicals like The Sound of Music (Maria), Into the Woods (Cinderella) and Gypsy (Louise), as well as TV and film’s (The Sound of Music Live!, Life & Beth, Worth, The Gilded Age and more) her brilliant vocals and diverse repertoire will captivate you. Experience a mesmerizing musical journey as she performs your favorites from the American Songbook to Broadway’s best. The evening includes valet, a four-course dinner, wine, gratuity, and performance. 

Ticket details here.

September 28

Planetarium Special Feature: Sordid Secrets of the Stars is September 18th at 6pm and 7pm at the Emerald Coast Science Center on Memorial Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. Discover the sizzling stories behind the constellations in this planetarium event for adults (21+). The Planetarium is an inflatable dome, sponsored by FPL. Guests sit on cushions on the floor of the planetarium to view the show. Due to size, space is limited to 25 patrons at a time. Purchase tickets in advance by calling 850-664-1261, stop by the Science Center, or use our online ticketing option to purchase your tickets. $15 Nonmembers, $13 members and includes access to one showing, plus a drink ticket. Get more details here.

October 14

The Market Shops – the 8th Annual Bloody Mary Festival is Saturday, October 14 from 11am – 2pm to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Walton County.  Restaurants and bars will be competing for their take on the best Bloody Mary in South Walton with vodka provided by Distillery 98, beer by Idyll Hounds, bubbly bar, a DJ, live music, SEC football streaming, a cigar bar, food and shopping by The Market Shops merchants and more! Save the date now!

October 19 – 22

Harvest Wine & Food Festival returns WaterColor this October for four days of epicurean excellence that is sure to delight both wine and culinary enthusiasts alike. Rated as one of the premier wine and food festivals in the Southeast, Harvest provides patrons the opportunity to sip and savor some of the world’s finest wine and culinary selections.

2023 Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 19 | 6pm
1. Alpha Omega Collective with Chef Craig Richards in a private WaterColor residence presented by Setco Services
2. Domaine Della at Cuvee 30A
3. Lang & Reed at Wild Olives
4. Phifer Pavitt at Bijoux
5. Roy Estate at Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood presented by Stephen & Joan Carter
6. Saint Helena with Blackbird at Vin’tij Food + Wine presented by the Powell Family

Friday, October 20
Crimson Park, WaterColor, Fla | 4pm
Better Together Cocktail Seminar

Marina Park, WaterColor, Fla | 7pm
Harvest After Dark

Saturday, October 21
Cerulean Park, WaterColor, Fla | 1pm
Grand Tasting

Sunday, October 22
Private Home in WaterColor | 11am
Tiki Cocktail Brunch with Chef Nikhil Abuvala presented by The Henry Haus

Tickets go on sale to the public July 14. Proceeds from Harvest Wine & Food Festival benefit Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and its mission of helping children in need in Northwest Florida.

October 21

Sip & Science: Mystery at the Museum is October 21st from 6pm-9pm at the Emerald Coast Science Center on Memorial Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. Bring your friends, grab a drink, and crack the case. Get clued-in to a night of sipping and sleuthing! See if you can crack the case by solving our murder mystery at your own pace, solo or in teams. We’ll also have all our regular museum exhibits up and running including mystery-themed trivia on the sciPad. You’ll get to explore the field of forensic science, play with fun technology, and compete for some awesome prizes while you figure out whodunit.

Buy tickets online now and save with our Early Bird pricing! $20 for Science Center members and $25 for nonmembers. Tickets purchased day-of will be $25 for Science Center members and $30 for nonmembers. Ticket price includes admission, access to regular and special museum exhibits, drink tickets for adult beverages (beer and a specialty cocktail), and food. Guests age 21+ (IDs will be checked at the door). Get more info here.

October 21

October 26

Spooky Secrets of the Stars, a Planetarium Special Feature is October 26th at the Emerald Coast Science Center.

Come dressed in Halloween costumes, get your Trick-or-Treat candy, and prepare to be scared! We’re ready to celebrate Halloween under the night sky in our inflatable planetarium. Join us for a fun and scary night of monster stories, inspired by our planets, moons, and stars. There will be stories of familiar monsters (werewolves, vampires, and minotaurs), unfamiliar monsters (Karakondzula, Chimera, and Coatlicue), and the heroes who battled them. In a battle between good and evil, who will win? 

The 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. show are family-friendly stories about the creepy creatures of mythology hidden in the night sky. These showings are appropriate for ages 5-6 and up. The 7 p.m. Spooktacular Show is more appropriate for ages 8 and up as the tales told during this show are spookier. 

Nonmember $12 Child | $12 Adult | $12 Senior. Member $10 Child | $10 Adult | $10 Senior

Planetarium Special Feature shows do not qualify for free member admission; reduced pricing is available for members. Get more info at ecscience.org/events.

November 5

Sinfonia Gala Event featuring Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, November 4th in the Juniper Ballroom, Hotel Effie.

Experience the electrifying energy of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue live in concert. From the moment they take the stage, you’ll be captivated by their infectious charisma and magnetic performance. With a fusion of funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock, Grammy-nominated Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, deliver tight, explosive performances that will make you move. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable musical celebration that showcases the primal power of music to bring us all together. Proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its education and community outreach engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida. Gala includes valet, reception, dinner and live performance. Get ticket information here.

November 11

It’s Military Appreciation Day at the Emerald Coast Science Center on November 11th from 10am-3pm. All active duty members, veterans, and their families receive free admission to the museum today with valid military ID. Simply present your military ID at check in to receive museum access for your family. Get more information here.

November 18

Don’t miss Pints & Prints on November 18th from 5:45pm-8pm at Emerald Coast Science Center. Grab a pint and learn how to screen print at this event for ages 21 & up. Select from several of our designs, including holiday prints and punny science slogans. Check in begins at 5:45 p.m. so you can select your designs and grab your drinks before settling in at 6 p.m. to learn how to screen print!

Come get crafty and print some truly original holiday gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.

$45 members/$50 nonmembers. Get more details here.

December 3

Toast ‘n Jam featuring Time for Three (Tf3), December 3rd at 10am, Henderson Beach Resort’s Crystal Ballroom.

Prepare to be blown away by the electrifying sounds of Grammy Award-winning Time for Three (Tf3), the genre-defying classically trained string trio. With their impeccable skills and boundary-pushing musical tastes, Nick Kendall, Charles Yang, and Ranaan Meyer seamlessly blend classical, bluegrass, rock, jazz, and hip-hop into an unforgettable musical experience. Their dynamic performances, even at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, have earned them the title of a “classically trained garage band.”

Exceptional live music, elegant brunch fare and Bloody Mary & Mimosa bar. Get ticket information here.

December 8

Holiday Pops featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell, December 8th at 7:30pm at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.

Dubbed “the last leading man” by The New York Times, Brian Stokes Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award winner with a versatile career spanning Broadway, television, film, and concerts. Receiving critical acclaim and awards for his performances in Kiss Me, Kate, Man of La Mancha, and Ragtime, Stokes has collaborated with renowned conductors like John Williams and Gustavo Dudamel performing at Carnegie Hall and the White House. Some of you may remember him as Trevor in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Get into the spirit as this A-list star performs holiday classics, Broadway tunes and classic favorites with the Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra. Get ticket information here.

December 16