Winter Heats Up at The Sandestin Gumbo & Bloody Mary Festival

Alert your taste buds! Cajun flavors are flooding the Emerald Coast at the 37th Annual Sandestin Gumbo and Bloody Mary Festival on Friday and Saturday, February 20-21, 2026. Since 1989, this beloved festival held in the Village of Baytowne Wharf has been drawing crowds in search of the best tasting gumbo and Bloody Marys on the Gulf Coast. Presented by The Village of Baytowne Wharf and the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the lively two-day event features live music, family friendly fun and loads of spicy Cajun flavors!

The weekend festivities begin Friday, February 20, with a Kick-off Party from 5 pm to 8 pm at 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grille. Attendees will enjoy a delicious shrimp boil with live music adding to the laid-back party vibe! This year Tito’s is the “Best Bloody Mary at The Beach Vodka Sponsor,” so don’t miss stopping by the Tito’s table for a tasting!

The Main Event is Saturday, Feb, 21, starting at noon. Restaurants from around the Gulf Coast will compete to claim the bragging rights of being named the “2026 Best Gumbo on the Emerald Coast.” Celebrity judges will decide who wins the coveted title while attendees vote for the “People’s Choice Award” winner.

Raise your hand if you’re up for the challenge of judging the “Best Bloody Marys at The Beach” competition sponsored by Tito’s! Attendees are invited to taste Bloody Marys concocted by some of the finest bars’ and restaurants’ on the coast AND you’re the judge! Vote for your favorite and help choose who takes home the title.

When you purchase a ticket to the Main Event, you’ll be treated to unlimited samplings of gumbo and Bloody Marys—what a way to heat up a winter weekend! On top of the great flavors, the festival also delights your senses with the sounds of authentic Zydeco music by Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe.

The 37th Annual Sandestin Gumbo and Bloody Mary Festival is set to take place rain or shine, and will benefit the Sandestin Foundation for Kids and Fisher House of The Emerald Coast. Interested in attending this fun-filled event? We have great news for you—Sandestin is offering a Gumbo Festival Package that includes 20 percent off a two-night stay plus tickets to the event.

Find out more about the Gulf Coast’s biggest gumbo showdown and purchase tickets here.

2026 GUMBO COMPETITORS:

• Café Nola
• Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House
• John Wehner’s The Village Door Restaurant & Entertainment
• Swiftly Catered Private Chef
• Harry T’s
• Lulu’s Destin, Florida
• Ruby Slipper Ruby Sunshine
• Hurricane Oyster Bar
• Landshark Bar & Grill
• Boathouse Oyster Bar
• 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grille
• Crazy Cajuns Specialty Meats
• Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine
• Sunset Slice & Scoop
• Jamaican Me Crazy
• Crispy Cajun Chicken
• Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort & Spa
• Calypso Cafe
• Russell Landscape
• Misfits Golf

2026 BEST BLOODY MARY ON THE BEACH COMPETITORS:

• Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House
• John Wehner’s The Village Door Restaurant & Entertainment
• Swiftly Catered Private Chef
• Café Nola
• Ruby Slipper Ruby Sunshine
• Hurricane Oyster Bar
• Landshark Bar & Grill
• Boathouse Oyster Bar
• 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grille
• Crispy Cajun Chicken
• Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort & Spa
• Calypso Cafe
• T’s Farm

2025 WINNERS:

GUMBO PEOPLE’S CHOICE

• 1st Place: Carlito’s Amazing Products
• 2nd Place: Ruby Slipper
• 3rd Place: Lulu’s

VETERAN’S

• 1st Place: Café Nola
• 2nd Place: Harry T’s
• 3rd Place: Boathouse Oyster Bar
• 4th Place: Slick Lips

BEST 1-5 YEARS

• 1st Place: Ruby Slipper
• 2nd Place: Lulu’s
• 3rd Place: LandShark
• 4th Place: Cajun Corner

BEST DISPLAY

• Carlito’s Amazing Products

BEST NEW PARTICIPANT

• Cajun Corner

BEST BLOODY MARY

• 1st Place: Marina Bar & Grill
• 2nd Place: Ruby Slipper
• 3rd Place: Carlito’s Amazing Products

JVC BROADCASTING ADVERTISING AWARD

• Crazy Cajun Specialty Meats

BEST NON RESTAURANT

• Carlito’s Amazing Products