Autumn Tides is an annual program of special events in the beach communities of Walton County as well as the inland towns of Freeport, Paxton and DeFuniak Springs.

Here's a sampling of what's coming up:

• Saturday and Oct. 28: Fall Sounds, Sandestin. Live music 2-5 p.m. at the Gazebo Courtyard of the Market Shops. Also, children's activities. 850-267-8092, www.sandestin.com.

• Through Oct. 31: Autumn Tides Month at Silver Sands Factory Stores, Miramar Beach. Present $300 in same-day receipts at Shopper Services to receive a limited edition "Autumn Tides" print by local artist Donna Burgess, who will sign copies of the print 1-4 p.m. Oct. 28. 850-654-9771, www.silversandsoutlet.com.

• Wednesday-Saturdays and Oct. 25-28: Autumn Playwright Festival, Seaside. The festival celebrates a single playwright through a full-scale production of the writer's work, staged readings, panel discussions and other events. 850-231-3033, www.seasiderep.org.

• Friday: "Ports o' Call" concert, Santa Rosa Beach. The Philharmonic of Northwest Florida opens its season with a program featuring composers Rossini, Debussy and Beethoven.

7:30-10 p.m. St. Rita Catholic Church. 850-581-5253, www.philharmonicnwf.com.

• Friday through Oct. 22: Southern Breeze Coastal Wine Tour, Rosemary Beach. The event opens with a winemaker's dinner featuring Louisiana chef John Folse teamed with Ted Egan, a Napa Valley, Calif., boutique winemaker from Bourassa Vineyards. More than 150 boutique wines will be poured Saturday at the Grand Wine Tasting in Long Green Park, where seminars and cooking demonstrations will be offered and vendors will sell food- and wine-related accessories. The Gulfside Walkabout Brunch on Oct. 22 on the Western Green features champagnes and sparkling wines to complement cuisine prepared by area restaurateurs. 1-800-239-9880, www

.coastalwinetour.com.

• Friday through Oct. 22: Back to Nature Festival. A weekend of outdoor activities exploring the natural world of South Walton County, with hiking, bird-watching, kayaking, native plant tour, sand castle building and more. 850-314-3749, www.southwaltoncc.org.

• Oct. 28: Paxton Heritage Festival, Paxton. The 20th annual festival features a working blacksmith, living history re-enactments, a Civil War encampment, corn shelling, petting zoo, live entertainment, crafts and country vittles including collards, turnips, corn bread and cane juice. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 850-834-3031.

• Wednesdays through Dec. 27: Wednesday Night Concert Series, Sandestin. Live music at the Events Plaza at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. 850-267-8117, www.sandestin.com.

• Nov. 3-4: Mountain Film on Tour, WaterColor. Independent films shown under the stars at Marina Park's amphitheater. $30 per person. Food and drinks additional. No outside coolers/baskets. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. 6-10 p.m. 1-866-426-2656.

• Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 11-12: Grit & Grace 2006, Freeport. In "Schemes, Scandals and Shenanigans," the stories of Walton County pioneers come to life with music, drama and storytelling. The official folk-life production of Walton County will be performed at the Freeport High School Auditorium, 12615 U.S. 331 S. 850-835-2032, www.gritandgrace.org.

• Nov. 5: Sunday Brunch & Jazz Cruise aboard the SunQuest Cruises yacht Solaris, Sandestin. Listen to music and dine as you cruise the Choctawhatchee Bay from the Baytowne Marina. The event supports musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. 1-3 p.m. 850-650-2519, www.sunquestcruises.com.

• Nov. 10: "Horns Unlimited" concert, Santa Rosa Beach. This performance by the Philharmonic of Northwest Florida features Schumann's Concertstucke for Four Horns, "Sleeping Beauty" by Tchaikovsky and Overture to Bartered Bride by Smetana. 7:30-10 p.m. St. Rita Catholic Church. 850-581-5253, www.phil

harmonicnwf.com.

• Nov. 10-12: Fifth annual Baytowne Film Festival, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin. Screenings of full-length features and independent short films will be followed by chats with the student and professional filmmakers. This year's theme is "Celluloid Expressions." 850-267-8117, www.baytownefilmfestival.com.

• Nov. 16: Beaujolais Nouveau Holiday Kickoff, the Market Shops, Sandestin. Tree lighting, live holiday music, French Country Cuisine walkabout dinner, wine tastings and special promotions in all shops. 6-9 p.m. For dinner/wine tickets, call 850-267-8092, www.sandestin.com.

• Nov. 24-Dec. 31: Christmas Reflections, DeFuniak Springs. See 3 million lights twinkling on trees, animated figures, historic buildings and Victorian homes surrounding Circle Drive and 400 feet down to the shores of Lake DeFuniak. 850-892-5334, www.christmas

reflections.com.

• Nov. 25: South Walton Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town, Seaside. Residents and visitors dress up cars, golf carts and bicycles with holiday decorations to parade with Santa Claus. Live music, hot chocolate and cookies, and the lighting of the tree and downtown Seaside. 4 p.m. 850-231-5424.

— Paula Crouch Thrasher