Now one of the most popular pirate festivals, Billy Bowlegs Festival started in 1953 as a water skiing festival and now takes place the first full weekend of June each year. The family-friendly event features a parade of nearly 100 floats, food, live music, and shops.
Festivities take over the Landing in Fort Walton, but don’t be surprised to see pirate activity all over town.
As you wander the Pirates Village, enjoying all sorts of grub and grog, be sure to check out the mercantile with glass art, clothing, jewelry, trinkets and more! But keep your eye out for the scallywags wandering about!
Billy Bowlegs Festival Events
The event kicks off with a fireworks display on May 31 at 9 p.m. The following morning the Annual Billy Bowlegs 5K gathers runners and walkers together starting at 7:30 a.m.
The Torchlight Parade will take place Monday, June 3, starting in historic downtown Fort Walton Beach at 7 p.m. Nearly 100 floats, boats, and vessels make their way down Eglin Parkway past Uptown Station and end at Hughes Street.
Plan Your Destin Vacation
The Billy Bowlegs Festival is one of Destin's favorite annual events. If you're planning on joining the festivities, book your Destin vacation rental with Destin West. We offer a wide selection of rental properties along Florida's Emerald Coast.