May is one of the best months to experience the stunning beauty and vibrant culture of Santa Rosa Beach and Scenic Highway 30A along Florida’s Emerald Coast. With warm temperatures (average high is 84 degrees F and average low is 61 degrees F), fewer crowds, and a calendar full of exciting events, this Florida paradise is the perfect destination for travelers seeking adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re exploring the pristine beaches, attending lively music festivals, or indulging in fresh coastal cuisine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
5Tides LLC
Elevate your stay. Our home is more than just any other vacation rental or traditional space; it's a tranquil retreat, a home away from home, minutes from the white sand beaches of the Florida Panhandle at Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
1. 🚴♂️🌿☀️ Week 1: May 1 – May 7
May 1
- Relax at Grayton Beach State Park—located at 357 Main Park Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, the park offers beach access, a tidal lake for paddleboarding and kayaking, and miles of hiking. At Grayton Beach State Park, you can park very close to the beach, but they will close down parking once the parking lot is full so getting there earlier is always better.
May 2
- Red Bar Jazz Band from 5:30 to 9:00pm at the Historic Red Bar at Grayton Beach.
May 3
- DeFuniak Springs Sprint Triathlon from 7 to 11am. Located at 88 Circle Drive, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435.
- Grand Boulevard Farmer’s Market from 9:00am to 1:00pm on May 3 at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. This event runs every Saturday in May.
- Seaside Farmers Market from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Seaside Amphitheater. This event runs every Saturday in May.
- DeFuniak Springs Farmers Market from 8:00 to 12:00pm at Baldwin Avenue in DeFuniak Springs. This event runs every Saturday in May
- Kentucky Derby Party at The Courtyard at Pescado – 74 Town Hall Rd, Suite 4B, Rosemary Beach, FL 32461. The event runs from 4-10pm.
May 4
- Rosemary Beach Farmers Market – located at North Barrett Square in Rosemary Beach. This farmer’s market occurs every Sunday year-round.
- Bike the Timpoochee Trail—This walking/biking trail runs parallel to Scenic Highway 30A. Check out our map of Florida towns along the way.
May 5 (Cinco De Mayo) 🎉🌮🇲🇽
- Cinco de Mayo at LaCo at 10343 E. County Highway 30A, Seacrest Beach, FL. Event starts at 11am.
- Cinco De Mayo Celebration at AJ’s Grayton Beach. Enjoy margarita specials, tequila and tacos. Event runs from 11am to 5pm with live music beginning at 4pm.
May 6
- Huck & Lilly perform live at the Seaside Amphitheater from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, snacks, and drinks, or visit one of the many shops and Airstream food trucks all around. The show is free to all ages. They perform Tuesdays and Thursdays in May.
2.🎶🎷🎸Week 2: May 8 – May 14
May 8
- Dear Amy: Amy Winehouse Tribute. It begins at 7:00pm at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin, FL. The address is 323 Commons Dr W, Destin, FL 32541.
May 9
- DeFuniak Springs Lakefest from 5 to 9pm at Chipley Park in DeFuniak Springs. Enjoy a fish fry, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboards, and other activities. This event runs Friday May 9, and Saturday, May 10.
May 10
- Tequila & Taco Fest at the Village of Baytowne Wharf from 1-4pm. it features local restaurants and food trucks competing for the best taco and margarita on the Emerald Coast. Address is 9100 Baytowne Ave
Miramar Beach, FL 32550. General admission tickets are $75 each.
May 11 (Mothers Day)🌸💖👩👧👦
- Stinky’s Fish Camp Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner from 10am to 9pm. The address is 5960 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. It is right across from Dune Allen Beach access in Santa Rosa Beach. Treat your mom to some great food at Stinky’s.
May 12
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park—Enjoy a hike, bike ride, or the beach at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the West End of 30A. Topsail does have a shuttle that will transport you to and from the beach from the main parking lot. It typically runs every hour.
May 14
- Papa Surf Burger Bar Features JMT + Dave P + Friends from 6 to 9 pm located at 4324 West County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
May 15
- Fiesta Del Fuego at Bud & Alley’s from 5:30 to 10pm. Bud & Alley’s is located right on the beach at Seaside, FL. Email michael@budandalleys.com if you are interested in tickets.
3.🎨🖌️💻 Week 3: May 15 – May 21
May 16
- Destin Rotary Club Cajun Crawfish Bash from 5:30-9:00pm at Mezcal Mexican Grill. The address is 80 Seascape Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550. Tickets start at $40 each for adults. Kis are $15.
- Digital Graffiti Festival from 8 to 11pm at Alys Beach. This is the 18th annual festival that celebrates the intersection of projection art and unique white architecture of Alys Beach. The address is 9581 E County Highway 30A, Alys Beach, FL 32461.
May 17
- Digital Graffiti Festival continues from 8 to 11pm at Alys Beach.
May 19
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Guided Plant Walk from 9 to 11am. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at the West End of 30A.
4.🏖️🌊☀️ Week 4: May 22 – May 31
May 22
- Scratch Biscuit Kitchen features Brett Stafford Smith from 4 to 7pm. Located in Watercolor, the address is 1777 E County Hwy 30A Unit 101, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
May 25
- Visit Blue Mountain Beach—right off of Highway 30A and Blue Mountain Road. This is a great beach location, but spots fill up quickly.
- Visit Blue Mountain Beach Creamery – right on Highway 30A at Blue Mountain Beach. This is one of the best ice cream spots along 30A. Address is 2129 S Co Hwy 83, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
May 26 (Memorial Day)
- Celebrate Memorial Day by visiting the beach at Fort Panic Beach Access—5707 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Fort Panic is just down the road from Dune Allen Beach access and right across from Lake Allen and Oyster Lake, two of the area’s rare coastal dune lakes.
May 30-31
- Visit Watercolor Cerulean Park for some great Instagram pictures. Address is 45 WaterColor Blvd W
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32549.
5. Elevate Your Stay with 5Tides for the Perfect Escape or Vacation Getaway
Allow 5Tides to handle your accommodations. We make your stay in paradise as comfortable as possible so you can concentrate on what matters most: enjoying the beauty of the Emerald Coast.
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Plan Your Perfect May Getaway on 30A
With a mix of outdoor adventures, food festivals, live music, and unique experiences, May 2025 promises an incredible lineup of activities along 30A and Santa Rosa Beach. Whether you’re biking the Timpoochee Trail, enjoying fine dining all along Highway 30A, or soaking in a spectacular sunset at The Courtyard at Pescado or at Bud & Alley’s, every day brings a new opportunity to explore and unwind. Start planning your trip today and make May a month to remember on Florida’s most scenic coastline! 🌴
Cheers!
– 5Tides
