The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach has announced the launch of Winter WonderIsland, a holiday-themed event set to run from November 28, 2025, through January 5, 2026. The seasonal experience aims to offer guests a coastal take on winter festivities along the Gulf.
Winter WonderIsland will feature Coastal Winter Chalets available for private rental. Each chalet accommodates up to eight guests and comes with amenities such as a tabletop fire pit, s’mores kits, hot cocoa kits, and cocktail service. Rentals also include an hour of access to a 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.”
In addition to chalets and curling, guests can try themed cocktails like the Island Exclusive Old Fashioned or Mistletoe Margarita. Food trucks will be on site alongside live entertainment and photo opportunities amid decorated displays. Families can participate in activities such as dropping letters to Santa in a red mailbox located in the resort’s lobby.
Weekly events during December will include movie nights, gingerbread house decorating sessions, and hot chocolate Fridays. Notable scheduled events are Breakfast with Santa on December 13; Cookies & Crafts with The Grump on December 20–21; a Christmas dinner buffet on December 25; and a Noon Kids’ Eve Ball Drop on December 31 followed by an adult champagne toast at midnight.
A main feature is The Island’s fifth annual Beachy Little Christmas: A Sandcastle Spectacular taking place December 13 from noon to 4 p.m. This public event offers live music, local vendors, crafts activities, appearances by Misty the Mermaid, and sandcastle building contests on the beach.
The Island Resort was established in 1966 as one of Okaloosa Island’s first resorts. It spans ten acres along 600 feet of private beachfront on the Gulf of Mexico. Facilities include three pools—one featuring a swim-up bar called The Grotto—over five dining options onsite, meeting spaces totaling over 24,000 square feet with views of both Gulf and Bay waters, and activities ranging from yoga to live music for guests seeking recreation without leaving resort grounds.
Reservations for accommodations or event participation can be made through www.theislandfl.com or by calling toll-free at 800-874-8962.
