Kick Off the Holiday Season the 30A Way!

Thanksgiving weekend on 30A doesn’t just signal the end of pumpkin pie season; it marks the beginning of one of the most magical times of year along the Gulf. Every year, two events stand out as the unofficial start of the holidays at the beach:

• Rosemary Beach’s Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Seaside’s Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town

If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to spend Thanksgiving weekend in a beach town that looks like it was built for a Christmas movie, this is your roadmap.

🎄 Friday Night: Rosemary Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: South Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach

On Friday evening, Rosemary Beach becomes a glowing, gas-lit postcard. Families gather in South Barrett Square as the sun sets and the town prepares to “turn on the town” — their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

What to Expect

• Live holiday music – often featuring the Charles Dickens-style carolers
• Santa’s big arrival in the square
• The official lighting of the towering Christmas tree
• Carriage rides through the streets under twinkling lights.

After the countdown, you can stroll through town, pop into the shops, grab a warm drink, and take in the holiday décor woven into Rosemary’s elegant architecture. It’s intimate, walkable, and incredibly photogenic — especially for families and multigenerational trips.

🎅🏻Saturday Afternoon: Seaside Holiday Parade

Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: Parade begins at 3:00 PM
Route: From Seagrove to Seaside along 30A 

On Saturday, the energy shifts a few miles west to Seaside as the annual Seaside Holiday Parade rolls down 30A. The parade starts in Seagrove and makes its way toward Central Square, bringing music, color, and a lot of Christmas cheer with it.

Parade Highlights

• Festive floats and decorated vehicles
• Local performance groups and characters
• Families lining 30A cheering and waving as the parade moves toward the amphitheater
• Santa making his way into town as part of the procession 

By the time the parade reaches Seaside, the amphitheater lawn is buzzing with kids, parents, and grandparents, all ready for what comes next.

✨ Saturday at Sunset: Turn on the Town & Tree Lighting in Seaside

Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: Tree lighting and Turn on the Town begin around sunset (approximately 5:00 PM), immediately following the parade.
Location: Seaside Amphitheater & Central Square

Once the parade arrives in Seaside, the celebration keeps going with Turn on the Town, Seaside’s beloved holiday lighting tradition.

The Turn on the Town Experience

• Santa leads the countdown to light the tree and town
• The entire square glows to life with holiday lights
• Live performances, caroling, and children’s activities around the amphitheater
• A festive Christmas Village where families can take photos with Santa into the evening.

With the tree lit, the sky turning dusky pink over the Gulf, and the glow of lights reflecting off pastel cottages and pavilions, this is one of those “you have to be here” moments.

🌟 From Guests to Owners: Imagining Your Own Holiday Tradition on 30A

Standing in Rosemary’s South Barrett Square on Friday or in Seaside’s amphitheater on Saturday, it’s easy to feel it:

“We could build our family’s holiday traditions here.”

Now imagine this weekend a little differently — not from a rental or hotel, but from a home that’s yours.

• Waking up on Friday in your own 30A home, making coffee in a kitchen that’s become the heart of your family’s holidays.
• Kids and grandkids running down the hall, grabbing bikes and helmets, excited to ride into Rosemary Beach for the tree lighting.
• Walking back under holiday lights, knowing you’ll be back next year — to the same house — to do it all again.
• On Saturday, load everyone up for the short drive (or bike ride) to Seaside, where you watch the parade together, then spread out a blanket on the amphitheater lawn.
• As the sun sets and Seaside “turns on the town,” you look around and realize: this isn’t just a trip anymore — it’s your family’s place.

Owning a home on 30A during the holidays isn’t about having more square footage. It’s about having a place that anchors your traditions:

• The same porch for Thanksgiving photos every year
• The same street your kids grow up biking down
• The same town square where you watch Santa light the tree — again and again

For many of my clients, that “someday” dream started during this exact weekend.

🏡 How to Start Exploring a 30A Home for Your Family

If the idea of owning a home here — one that can host future Thanksgiving weekends, Christmas breaks, and spring getaways — has been quietly sitting in the back of your mind, this is a great time to take a first step.

Here’s the simplest way to begin:

1. Book a Call with Me to Clarify the Vision

Are you imagining:

• A lock-and-leave second home for your family?
• A short-term rental that also doubles as your holiday getaway?
• A long-term plan to eventually spend more of the year here?

Knowing your primary goal helps us quickly narrow down communities and property types.

2. Match the Right Community to Your Lifestyle

Seaside, Rosemary Beach, WaterColor, Alys Beach, and neighboring communities all offer different:

• Vibes (lively vs. more tucked away)
• Rental potential
• Architectural styles
• Access to events like these holiday kickoffs

I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each based on how you want to use the home — not just what’s listed on the MLS.

3. Review Current Opportunities (On and Off Market)

We’ll look at:

• Active listings that match your budget and goals
• Potential off-market or “whisper” opportunities
• Historical rental performance (if income is part of the plan)

4. Create a Clear Acquisition Strategy

From financing and ownership structure to timing and negotiation, we’ll build a plan that helps you move forward confidently — whether that’s this season or in the near future.

📲 Ready to Explore Your Own 30A Holiday Home?

If you’re picturing future Thanksgivings and Holiday Seasons where your family gathers here on 30A — biking to tree lightings, watching parades, and coming “home” to the same front door every year — I’d love to help you explore what that could look like.

Click below to schedule a call, and we’ll talk through your goals, timing, and the communities that might be the best fit for your 30A holiday home.

📆 SCHEDULE A CALL

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🦃 Check out the Complete Guide to Thanksgiving on 30A

Until next time, make it a great day on 30A!