THE ISLAND RESORT AT FORT WALTON BEACH ANNOUNCES WINTER WONDERISLAND: A SEASON-LONG COASTAL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach is bringing holiday magic to the Emerald Coast with Winter WonderIsland, a festive coastal experience running from Nov. 28, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026. The resort will transform into a seaside winter escape featuring cozy chalets, a curling rink, themed cocktails and family-friendly entertainment set against the backdrop of the Gulf.
Throughout the season, guests can create new holiday memories and unwind in Coastal Winter Chalets. Available for private rental, each chalet includes seating for up to eight guests, a tabletop fire pit and s’mores, hot cocoa kits and dedicated cocktail service. Every reservation also comes with one hour of curling rink access, creating the perfect setting for festive gatherings with friends or family.
“The holidays are a special time along the Emerald Coast, and we wanted to create something that truly captures the coastal magic,” said Ken Trumbell, General Manager, The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach. “Winter WonderIsland brings together everything we love about the season – community, connection and celebration – all with the beauty of the Gulf as the backdrop.”
The curling rink brings playful competition to the shoreline, while signature cocktails like the Island Exclusive Old Fashioned, Bah Humbug, Spiced Holly and Mistletoe Margarita capture the spirit of the season. Visitors can also enjoy bites from local food trucks, listen to live entertainment and take advantage of endless photo opportunities amid the resort’s twinkling holiday displays. Families are invited to drop letters to Santa in the magical red mailbox located in the lobby.
Each week in December will feature rotating activities for all ages, including holiday movie nights, gingerbread house decorating and hot chocolate Fridays. Signature events include Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13, Cookies & Crafts with The Grump on Dec. 20–21, a Christmas dinner buffet on Dec. 25, and a Noon Kids’ Eve Ball Drop on Dec. 31, leading up to a midnight champagne toast in Coastal Kitchen for adults.
The highlight of the season is The Island’s fifth annual Beachy Little Christmas: A Sandcastle Spectacular, taking place Saturday, Dec. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. Open to the public, the event features live music, local vendors, crafts, a meet-and-greet with Misty the Mermaid and Christmas-themed sandcastle building along the beach.
With twinkling lights, coastal flavors and the sound of waves as its soundtrack, Winter WonderIsland blends holiday spirit with Gulf-front serenity, offering locals and visitors alike a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate the season by the sea.
About The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
Established in 1966 as one of the first resorts on Okaloosa Island, The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach offers 600 feet of private sugar sand beach along the Gulf of Mexico. This 10-acre, 333-room paradise features three pools, the only swim-up bar on the Emerald Coast, The Grotto, over five onsite dining options, and the opportunity to meet the real-life resident mermaid, Misty the Mermaid, whose presence captivates guests of all ages. The Island also offers a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including the pristine Island Green overlooking the Gulf, the glass-enclosed Tavern on the pool deck, expansive ballrooms with Gulf and Bay views for a total of over 24,000 sq. ft. of event space. Guests can park their car and never have to leave the resort to experience unmatched relaxation and adventure with amenities like live music, kid’s activities, beachside yoga, and vibrant local culture. For reservations, please visit www.theislandfl.com, call toll-free 800-874-8962, or contact a travel agent. Follow The Island on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.