Oyster Cookoff January 17, 2026
Apalachicola's annual Oyster Cook-Off returns January 17 in downtown Historic Apalachicola at Riverfront Park. The event features oysters galore, shrimp, smoked mullet, hot dogs, hamburgers, local beer, live music, kids’ activities, dancing performances and a 5K run! Enter your best recipe and be a contestant in the oyster cook-off or just come out and enjoy a day of wonderful food, refreshments and music. Well-mannered pets are welcomed on a leash. All proceeds benefit the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department. Details.
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| Butts & Clucks Cookoff in Apalach January 22-24
Join us at Battery Park for a weekend filled with flavor, fun, and fiery competition at the Butts & Clucks Cook-Off on the Bay Thursday- Saturday, January 22-24 in Apalachicola's Battery Park. Hosted by the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, this award-winning culinary event has been featured on the Food Networks' BBQ USA and is a Florida BBQ Sanctioned event.
Witness culinary mastery as top-notch teams from across the Southeast converge to showcase their skills in smoking and grilling. They’ll be vying for over $11,000 in cash and prizes, demonstrating their prowess in four tantalizing meat categories: Chicken, Ribs, Pork Butt, and Brisket. Each category promises a feast for the senses, offering mouth-watering aromas and flavors that embody the essence of Southern BBQ. Don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in some of the finest BBQ the Southeast has to offer. Want to learn how to judge BBQ? Sign up to become a certified BBQ judge and be trained by industry leaders during the event. Sponsorships are also available. Details.
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SGI Full Moon Climb January 3
The January Sunset and Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Visitors can enjoy this opportunity to view St. George Island, the Gulf of Mexico, and Apalachicola Bay under the evening sky. The Sunset and Full Moon Climb will begin at 6:00 p.m. and run until 8:00 p.m. Fifteen-minute time slots will be allotted for each group on a first-come, first-served basis. No advanced reservations will be taken. You will purchase your tickets in the gift shop and then sign up for your 15-minute time slot with the lighthouse keeper. Up to 12 persons are allowed in each 15-minute time slot. The gift shop will open at 5:30 p.m. to begin selling tickets. Details.
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Crooked River Lighthouse
Full Moon Climb January 31
The Crooked River Lighthouse will be hosting Twilight at the Tower on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 pm in Carrabelle, FL. This special after-hours event invites visitors to enjoy the gorgeous natural surroundings of St. George Sound and Carrabelle Beach as the golden sun sets below the horizon and the beautiful Snow Moon rises. Details.
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Soup-er Celebration January 17
The Friends of Franklin County Public Libraries invite everyone to a delicious and fun-filled Souper Celebration, a Soup, Bread, and Book Sale Event on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Eastpoint Branch Library, 160 Hickory Dip Rd, Eastpoint, FL. The general public is welcome from 10 am – 2 pm ET. Members of the Friends have exclusive early access to the soup sale starting at 9:30 am. Also new members, renewing members and those donating can get a Friends tote bag. This fun celebration will offer local culture and art. This is a family friendly event and all are welcome. This annual event features delicious homemade soups, freshly baked artisan breads and used books and DVDs. Details.
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4th Annual Crooked River Park Fest January 31
The Crooked River Lighthouse will host the 4th Annual Crooked River Park Fest on Saturday, January 31.. The event features an expanded Country ‘Super’ Market, local food vendor, car show, and more. The Crooked River Lighthouse Museum & Gift Shop, lighthouse tower climbs, and the 1894 Fresnel Lens exhibit will also be open to visitors. Admission to the Crooked River Park Fest is free to the public. The Country ‘Super’ Market will be expanded to include food vendors and regional arts and crafts vendors. A car show will be showcasing a variety of vehicles, from classic and vintage models to modern custom cars, each showcasing craftsmanship and timeless appeal. Details.
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Ilse Newell Concert Series Kicks off with Whitney Monge January 10
Whitney Monge - Saturday, January 10- The 2026 Ilse Newell Concert Series kicks off January 10 with Whitnbey Monge, Whitney Mongé is a Nashville-based Americana Soul singer-songwriter and guitarist whose smoky, soulful vocals and raw, heartfelt songwriting reflect a life steeped in authenticity. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, she began her musical journey busking on the streets of Seattle, where her powerful voice and honest storytelling forged deep connections with listeners and shaped her signature sound—a bold fusion of soul, blues, indie folk, and rock.
Ben Rosenblum Friday, January 23 - Pianist, accordionist and composer Ben Rosenblum has traversed a truly unique musical path, one that has seen him perform alongside world-class musicians across more than twenty music genres and twenty-five countries, lead bands at prestigious venues across the world, all while maintaining a signature, melodic musical voice.
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SGI ShrimpFest February 7
The St. George Lighthouse Association will host the 5th Annual SGI ShrimpFest on February 8th, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm in the western parking area adjacent to Lighthouse Park. Come and indulge in a feast for the senses with a variety of shrimp dishes prepared by local culinary experts. Explore a curated group of vendors showcasing unique products from local artisans and engage with local nonprofit exhibitors. Enjoy a versatile array of beverages from water and sodas to wine, Bloody Marys and beer. We are excited to invite you to an unforgettable experience where savory delights, live music, and local treasures come together in support of a noble cause. Join us for a day of celebration, all while contributing to the mission of St. George Lighthouse Association. Details.
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MardiGras Barkus Festival February 27-28
The Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers will celebrate Mardi Gras Apalach-style on February 27-28, 2026, at Riverfront Park in Apalachicola, FL. This coastal tradition features a lively street festival and the 15th Annual Mardi Gras Barkus Parade, a parade of costumed dogs and their people. Guests are invited to dive into the fun in festive costumes, creative floats, wagging tails, and plenty of local flair. All sea lovers and their loyal sea pups are invited to swim by and enjoy this fintastic ocean adventure. The 2026 theme is “Under the Sea.” Pups and their people will don costumes inspired by the wonders of the deep blue sea, a magical ocean realm ruled by dogs. Details.
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Apalachicola Historical Sociey Presents Turpentine talk, Jan 10
The Apalachicola Area Historical Society (AAHS) will be presenting a program on the turpentine industry in the Apalachicola area by Kermit Brown as part of their Spring Speaker Series on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 4:00 pm at the Raney Carriage House at 126 Market Street, Apalachicola. This presentation will explore the turpentine industry in the Apalachicola area—its history, significance, and the methods used to extract the many valuable products of the pine tree. Details.
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Stories of the Muscogee Nation focus of January 17 talk at Carabelle History Museum
The Carrabelle History Museum is presenting a fascinating speaker program about the History, Culture, and Stories of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Florida on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET at C-Quarters Marina, 501 St James Ave (Hwy 98), Carrabelle, FL. This program will feature Misty Penton, Bio Archeologist, Muscogee/Creek Storyteller and Tradition Keeper, Education Director of the Fred George Museum, and founder of the Wildwood Preservation Society. Details.
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CGJ Special Exhibit: Operation Husky, the Invasion of Sicily - January 6-31
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle will present a special exhibit about Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily from Tuesday, January 6, 2026 until Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Operation Husky was the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, devised in North Africa as the Allies drove German and Italian forces from the continent and prepared to advance into Italy. Details.
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| Panhandle Players Host Variety Show January 3, 4
The Panhandle Players will host a variety show on Saturday, Janaury 3 and Sunday, January 4 at the Historic Chapman Theatre in Apalachicola. Details.
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January 3, 17- Carrabelle Country Market
January 3 - SGI Lighthouse Full Moon Climb
January 3-4 - Panhandle Players Variety Show
January 5, 12, 19, 26 - Yoga at Apalachicola Library
January 5, 12, 19, 26 - Apalach Ghost Tour
January 6 - 31 - CGJ Exhibit - Operation Husky
January 10, 24 - Apalachicola Farmers' Market
January 10 - Whitney Monge - Ilse Newell Concert Series
January 10 - Turpentine Industry Talk, Apalachicola Historical society
January 14 - Winter Art & Music Series
January 17 - Souper Celebration, Eastpoint
January 17 - Apalachicola Oyster Cookoff
January 17 - Muscogee Nation Presentation
January 22-24 - Butts and Clucks
January 23 - Ben Rosenblum - Ilse Newell Concert Series
January 28 - Greek Music, Winter Art & Music Series
January 31 - Snow Moon at Crooked River Lighthouse
January 31 - Crooked River Park Fest
February 1 - SGI Full Moon Climb
February 1 - Leon Anderson, Ilse Newell Concert Series
February 7 - SGI ShrimpFest
February 7 - Billy Rigsby Band, Ilse Newell Concert Series
February 14 - Echo Valley, Ilse Newell Concert Series
February 22 - Anita Graef, Ilse Newell Concert Series
February 27 - Barkus Parade & Street Festival
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