Cafe Thirty-A Charity Ball: Local Guide

Dressy December fundraiser in Santa Rosa Beach — tickets $125–$160, valet, champagne, silent auction; proceeds support local food aid.

If you want the short answer: this is a dressy holiday fundraiser in Santa Rosa Beach that usually runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in early December, with tickets often priced at $125–$160 per person. I’d expect food, champagne at arrival, valet parking, a silent auction, raffle sales, and a black-tie-optional dress code.

Here’s what matters most to me before going:

Cause: Proceeds support Caring and Sharing of South Walton
Place: Café Thirty-A, 3899 E. County Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Timing: Usually early December
Price: About $125 to $160 per ticket
Dress: Evening attire, black tie optional
Parking: Complimentary valet
Fundraising: Tickets, auction bids, raffle sales, donations, and sponsors
Recent totals: $81,000 in 2024 and $90,905 in 2025

What stands out is simple: this is not just a party. It is a local holiday event that sends money to food help, clothing help, rent and utility aid, and case management for people in South Walton.

Key detail	What I’d know before going
Event type	Holiday charity ball
Usual hours	6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Ticket range	$125–$160
Main extras to budget for	Drinks, raffle tickets, auction bids
Best arrival plan	Get there near 6:00 p.m.
Best prep tip	Check CafeThirtyA.com before leaving

If I were planning my night, I’d buy tickets early, bring a payment card, plan my ride home, and arrive with enough time to look at the auction before bidding starts.

Cafe Thirty-A Charity Ball: What You Need to Know

Café Thirty-A charity ball raises record $90,905 for local families

Event Background and Community Impact

Café Thirty-A has been part of South Walton for 30 years and marks its anniversary in 2025. That long run matters. It helped turn the Charity Ball from a single evening into a fundraiser that people in the area know, expect, and support year after year.

How the Charity Ball Became a Local Tradition

That history helps explain the event’s staying power. The Charity Ball feels less like a one-off party and more like a local ritual. Coverage from the area shows it has been on Café Thirty-A's calendar for most of the restaurant’s life, with Caring and Sharing of South Walton remaining the main beneficiary the whole time.

Where the Money Goes in South Walton

Caring and Sharing of South Walton is a Santa Rosa Beach nonprofit that runs a drive-thru food pantry, provides clothing help, assists with utility bills and rent, and connects families with housing, jobs, and other local resources.

Money from the Charity Ball comes from several places, including:

ticket sales
sponsorships
donations
auction items
raffle sales

Those funds support the nonprofit’s food pantry, clothing help, emergency aid, and case management. The totals have climbed over time, reaching $81,000 in 2024 and $90,905 in 2025. It starts with ticket sales, then grows as the auction and raffle move through the night.

Tickets, Pricing, and What the Night Includes

How Ticket Sales Usually Work

Once the cause is clear, the next step is simple: getting a ticket.

Tickets for the Cafe Thirty-A Charity Ball are usually sold in advance online through the restaurant's website or a linked ticket page, often on Eventbrite. Since this is a private event and space is limited, tickets often sell out before the event date. Recent listings show general admission at about $125 to $160 per person.

At check-in, staff confirm names, scan digital tickets, and hand out wristbands or badges. Since details can shift from year to year, it’s smart to check the current official event page before you buy.

What Guests Can Expect From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The evening usually follows a clean 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. schedule.

Guests typically arrive to valet parking (or check top 30A parking spots if driving yourself), check in, and start the night with champagne. From there, people mingle, look through the silent auction, and take in the decorated restaurant before dinner begins.

Food is served through the middle of the night. That usually includes passed heavy hors d'oeuvres, a buffet of Cafe Thirty-A signature dishes, and dessert. A DJ and photo booth help keep the room lively. Near the end of the event, usually around 9:30 to 10:00 p.m., silent auction bidding closes and raffle winners are announced before guests head out.

Admission covers food and entertainment. Drinks, raffle tickets, and auction bids cost extra, and that’s where much of the fundraising happens.

Dress Code, Atmosphere, and Fundraising During the Event

What Guests Typically Wear

The Cafe Thirty-A Charity Ball uses a black-tie optional, evening attire dress code. For men, that usually means a dark suit and tie or a tuxedo. For women, a cocktail dress or evening gown fits right in.

The mood inside feels polished without feeling stiff. It’s dressed up, but not overly formal.

One small tip can save you some hassle: December evenings on 30A can feel cool outside, while the room often gets warm once it fills up. A light wrap or jacket is a smart thing to bring.

How the Silent Auction and Raffle Add to the Cause

Once guests get settled, the auction and raffle become the main drivers of the night’s fundraising.

The silent auction sits at the center of that effort. Donated items, including art, jewelry, gift baskets, vacation vouchers, and luxury goods from local businesses, are set out across the restaurant. Guests place bids as they move through the evening, which gives the whole event a steady sense of momentum. Because the items are donated, the bids can go far for the charity. If it’s your first time attending, getting there early to look over the auction tables before the bidding picks up is a smart move.

The raffle gives guests a simple way to join in, even if they don’t plan to bid on higher-priced items. Tickets are sold during the event, and winners are announced near the end of the night. Those smaller purchases from a lot of guests can add up fast and play a meaningful part in the final total.

Ticket sales, auction bids, raffle tickets, and sponsorships from local businesses make up the core of the night’s fundraising. Each part builds on the others to support Caring and Sharing of South Walton.

That sense of giving carries through the rest of the evening.

Location, Parking, First-Time Guest Advice, and Final Takeaway

Parking, Valet, and Arrival Planning on 30A

Once you've sorted out the auction and raffle, the last piece is simple: get there without a headache.

Café Thirty-A is at 3899 E County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Getting there a bit early gives you time to check in, get settled, and ease into the fundraiser before things get busy. In December, traffic along 30A can back up around holiday events, so give yourself extra drive time.

For the Charity Ball, guests should use the complimentary valet. That takes parking off your plate, which is one less thing to think about on the way in.

What First-Time Guests Should Do Before They Arrive

If this is your first time going, it's smart to confirm your ticket details before you leave. Event details can shift from year to year. Bring a credit or debit card for bar purchases, raffle tickets, and silent auction bids.

If you plan to drink, set up a designated driver or car service ahead of time. It's easier to make that call at home than at the end of the night. Arriving close to 6:00 p.m. also gives you a nice buffer to enjoy the champagne welcome and look over the auction items before bidding starts.

Key Points to Remember Before the Event

Check CafeThirtyA.com before you buy tickets or make the trip, since pricing and event logistics can change each year. The dress code is black tie optional, so come ready for a polished holiday evening. Many guests pair the ball with a tour of 30A holiday lights to see the local displays. Just as important, all ticket, raffle, and auction proceeds go to Caring and Sharing of South Walton. If you're looking for more ways to give back, there are many other volunteer opportunities in South Walton available year-round.

A short checklist helps:

Review the latest event details on CafeThirtyA.com.
Dress black tie optional
Bring a payment card for extra spending
Plan for raffle tickets and auction bids beyond admission
Use the complimentary valet and aim to arrive early

FAQs

How early should I arrive?

Specific arrival guidance for the Cafe Thirty-A Charity Ball is not included in the available information.

For local event and community coverage along 30A, sowal.co is a helpful digital guide to South Walton.

What should I budget beyond my ticket?

Beyond the ticket price, plan for extra drinks too. Some premium events offer bar service or special pairings that aren't part of admission.

It also makes sense to set aside some money for charitable giving, since the event supports a philanthropic mission.

Does the event usually sell out?

The available information doesn't say whether the Cafe Thirty-A Charity Ball usually sells out.

For the most accurate and up-to-date details, check the official event website or local community resources on sowal.co.