In Rosemary Beach, the holiday season takes over one stretch of town at a time over ten days. Runners get Scenic Highway 30A on Thanksgiving morning, and the tree goes up in South Barrett Square the next evening. Santa is at Town Hall for Saturday breakfast, and a week later, decorated homes along the town's streets and boardwalks open for a tour. Each handoff has its own hours, and two weeks out, the one that most changes a resident's day is the 30A closure on Thursday morning.
Thanksgiving Morning: 30A Closes at 7:00
The 15th annual 30A 10K Thanksgiving Day Races start and finish on Scenic Highway 30A in Rosemary Beach on Thursday, Nov. 26. According to the race's posted event schedule, 30A is closed to all traffic that morning from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The race's FAQ gives 11:00 a.m. as the reopening time, so plan around the later hour. The closure runs from the start and finish line at East Water Street to the 10K turnaround at Bridge Lane, just east of The Big Chill. The 5K route also closes Watersound Parkway from Highway 30A north to the Camp Creek Inn entrance.
The start times are staggered, so the course is busy all morning:
| Time | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | 30A closes to all traffic | East Water Street to Bridge Lane |
| 7:30 a.m. | 10K starts | 30A in Rosemary Beach |
| 7:35 a.m. | 1-mile fun run starts | 30A in Rosemary Beach |
| 9:30 a.m. | 5K starts | 30A and Watersound Parkway |
| 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. | 30A reopens | East Water Street to Bridge Lane |
The 5K starts two hours after the 10K, so the closure isn't just for the early runners. Watersound Parkway is part of that later race. If you're driving to family for Thanksgiving dinner, or picking up a pie from a relative farther down the road, plan for 30A to stay unavailable until after the 5K field is done.
Parking near the start is limited. The race's FAQ page says anyone who parks on the north side of Highway 98 at 30Avenue and walks into Rosemary should use the underground walking path. For anyone already inside Rosemary Beach, the walk to the start line may be shorter than the drive.
After the races, the awards ceremony and post-race party are in North Barrett Square. 30A.com reports that the party has a local DJ, refreshments, vendor booths, and a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar for adults. Awards go to top finishers and to runners in the most festive costumes.
Two Days Before the Race
If someone in your household is running, most of the work happens before Thursday. The deadlines are firm:
- Tuesday, Nov. 24, 11:59 p.m. CST: online registration for the 10K and 5K closes. You can't register on race day.
- Tuesday, Nov. 24, 5:00 p.m.: the official shake-out run starts and ends at Idyll Hounds Brewery, 845 Serenoa Road in Santa Rosa Beach. The Idyll Runners Run Club and Fleet Feet Inlet Beach host it.
- Wednesday, Nov. 25, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: packet pickup at The Big Chill, 7000 E County Hwy 30A in Watersound. There is no pickup on race day.
The race's registration page lists the 10K and 5K at $115 each plus a $7.90 processing fee. The fun run is listed as full. The FAQ says the race doesn't offer refunds. That matters if you're signing up a houseguest whose travel plans aren't settled.
There's also a small perk for the weekend after the race. Idyll Hounds gives runners 10% off beer orders if they bring in their medal or bib that weekend.
Where the Entry Fees Go
The race fees fund local nonprofits. 30A.com reports that over its 15 years, the race has given more than $1 million to local nonprofits serving children and families in Walton County and Northwest Florida. This year's four charity partners are:
- Children's Volunteer Health Network
- Children in Crisis
- Habitat for Humanity of Walton County
- Bailey Brigade
Justin Schwab, development manager at Children in Crisis, told 30A.com that "the overwhelming participation, preparation and dedication shown through this partnership created a direct and lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children throughout Northwest Florida."
That's the reason for the closed highway. The road shuts for most of the morning, and the morning's registrations go to four organizations working in the same county.
Friday Night Moves to South Barrett Square
On Friday, the action shifts from North Barrett Square to South Barrett Square. The Tree Lighting Ceremony and Merchant Open House is Friday, Nov. 27, at 6:00 p.m., and the Rosemary Beach Merchants Association organizes it. Shops stay open into the evening after the tree lights up. That makes Friday evening a chance for early holiday shopping close to home, while Thursday's crowds stay out on 30A.
The next morning is for families with young kids. Breakfast with Santa is Saturday, Nov. 28, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Town Hall, 48 S. Barrett Square. The town's event page lists it at $20, and the Merchants Association organizes this one too. So Friday night and Saturday morning both happen around South Barrett Square, about 14 hours apart.
| Day | Event | Where | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Nov. 26 | 30A 10K, 5K and fun run, then awards party | 30A, then North Barrett Square | 30A 10K |
| Fri., Nov. 27 | Tree Lighting and Merchant Open House | South Barrett Square | Rosemary Beach Merchants Association |
| Sat., Nov. 28 | Breakfast with Santa | Town Hall, 48 S. Barrett Square | Rosemary Beach Merchants Association |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Holiday Tour of Homes | Check-in at North Barrett Square | Rosemary Beach Foundation |
Dec. 5: The Homes Open Up
A week after Breakfast with Santa, the season reaches the residential streets. The Rosemary Beach Foundation's Holiday Tour of Homes is Saturday, Dec. 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check-in is at North Barrett Square. From there, it's a self-guided walk through decorated homes, along the town's streets and boardwalks.
This is the 8th annual tour. According to the 30A.com event listing, this year's homes are new to the tour. The first 550 adult ticket holders get a commemorative 2026 Cup of Cheer cup, and local merchants are donating holiday decor and prizes for a raffle. Tickets are required for everyone 5 and older, space is limited, and advance purchase is strongly encouraged. The Eventbrite listing shows tickets starting at $28.52.
The tour also gives to charity. All proceeds go to this year's partners, Alaqua Animal Refuge and Caring & Sharing of South Walton. That makes two Walton County charity days, Thanksgiving's race and the Dec. 5 tour, with the Merchants Association's events in the squares between them.
The 30A closure is the one part of these ten days that affects people beyond the town's own blocks. It starts at 7:00 a.m. on Nov. 26 and runs between East Water Street and Bridge Lane.
If the Tour of Homes has you looking at your own living room differently, or you'd just like to know what your Rosemary Beach home might be worth before the new year, Briar Patch Realty is glad to help. Get a free home valuation from a local team that answers the phone, even during Thanksgiving week.
