Twilight at the Tower at Crooked River Lighthouse

The Crooked River Lighthouse will be hosting Twilight at the Tower on Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 pm ET in Carrabelle, FL. This special event invites visitors to enjoy after-hours museum visits, gift shop browsing, a glowing bonfire, tower climbs, and the gorgeous natural surroundings of St. George Sound and Carrabelle Beach as evening falls and the moon rises. Plus guests will be treated to a plein air painting demonstration by an Ambassador of the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, Cheryl Ploestra, watercolorist. Admission is $10 for the general public and includes a twilight climb. Admission is free for current members and for kids 12 and under. Admission and climb reservations are available in the gift shop or online.

Cheryl Ploegstra is a local watercolor artist, primarily working en plein air. Cheryl organizes a weekly plein air painting group and teaches watercolor classes. She has been involved with the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air event for the past ten years, including as a Florida’s Finest Ambassador artist, residency artist and past board member and event chair. Cheryl’s work is often exhibited at The Joe Center for the Arts in Port St. Joe.

The Keeper’s House Museum will be open for after-hours tours featuring the lighthouse’s original Fresnel lens constructed in 1894 in Paris, France. The lighthouse gift shop will offer a variety of unique nautical gifts and souvenirs, and the Beacon Bistro will have delicious baked goodies, popcorn, hot chocolate, and s’more kits available by donation. A glowing bonfire will create a perfect atmosphere for folks to kick back, relax and enjoy the evening. As the sky shifts from watercolor hues to deep evening blues, visitors are welcome to bring a chair and unwind on the lighthouse grounds.

Visitors seeking an unforgettable experience can enjoy twilight tower climbs to the top of the tallest lighthouse on the Forgotten Coast. From the top, climbers will be treated to panoramic views of St. George Sound, Carrabelle Beach and the beautiful colors of the evening sky. Evening climbs are scheduled at 15-minute intervals and climbers must be at least 44 inches tall.