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Events
January
Polar Bear Dip Held New Year’s Day 850-492-6838 The Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama state line on Perdido Key hosts this popular, annual splash-around in the Gulf of Mexico. Afterwards, everyone joins in a Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day and warms up with good music and beverages.
Mardi Gras Held early January until Fat Tuesday 850-434-6211 or 800-874-1299 Call for a complete schedule of events One of the country’s original celebration sites, Pensacola hosts family-oriented Mardi Gras fun at numerous parades, where crowds catch beads and moon pies tossed from floats, as well as various contests and culinary festivals.
February
Black History Month Held throughout February 850-474-2405 Celebrate the evolution of African-American history at several area events including a black history recital and concert at the University of West Florida with music performed by the UWF Gospel Choir.
March
Pensacola Bay International Film & Television Festival Usually held mid-March 850-435-6851 Call for exact dates and schedule Four days of great films, symposiums, parties, awards, and plenty of glitz and glamour.
Gallery Night Usually held in mid-March 850-432-9906 Admission Free Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this quarterly event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation.
April
Pensacola JazzFest Usually held in early April 850-433-8382 Admission Free Pensacola’s historic Seville Square hosts this event filled with great jazz music performed by local and national talents.
Blue Angels Classic Senior PGA Tournament Usually held in mid-April 850-995-3300 The best players on the senior tour congregate at The Moors, a par-70 Scottish links-style course in Milton, Fla., five minutes east of Pensacola on Interstate 10.
Interstate Mullet Toss Usually held the third week of April 850-492-6838 Call for additional information The Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama state line hosts this wacky annual tournament that has participants compete in an actual mullet toss. Live music, food, and drinks accompany this weekend.
June
The Florida Springfest Usually held mid-June 800-874-1234 Call for additional information This two-day musical celebration draws national headliner musical groups and thousands of people to downtown Pensacola.
Fiesta Days Celebration and Boat Parade Usually held early June 850-433-6512 Admission Free The Fiesta of Five Flags is an annual celebration of the founding of Pensacola, the first European settlement in the United States in 1559 by Spanish Conquistador, Don Tristan de Luna.
Bud Light King Mackeral/Cobia Tournament Usually held the later part of June 850-932-5726 Catch some of the largest King Mackerel and Cobia in the gulf. With over 1,200 anglers, this is a very large two-day boat event taking place in the Gulf of Mexico. Prize money and gifts are awarded.
July
Red, White, and Blues Week Held around the 4th of July for one full week 850-932-1500 Admission Free A big event held during Pensacola’s summer festivities; Red, White, and Blues week starts with a fireworks display on the Fourth of July. There is live music on the boardwalk each day and most nights. Festivities conclude with the world-famous Blue Angels flight show. Supported by civilian and military performers, the show is a must-see event.
Gallery Night Usually held in mid-July 850-432-9906 Admission Free Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this quarterly event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation.
August
Thunder On the Gulf Power Boat Races Usually held in mid-August Annual Super Boat Grand Prix on the Gulf Coast is held in the Perdido Key area. See over 40 boats compete at speeds up to 170 mph.
September
Pensacola Seafood Festival Usually held around the third week of September 850-434-6211 Held in the Seville Square area of historic downtown Pensacola, the festival features delicious fare and live entertainment.
October
Pensacola Fairgrounds U.S. Highway 90 West Held each October 850-944-4500 Admission Charged Pensacola Interstate Fair offers entertainment, rides, food and exhibits for 11 days every October. Fun for the family. The Pensacola Interstate Fair is a star-spangled parade of exhibits and features arranged and planned for everyone's supreme satisfaction!
Haunted House Walking Tours and Trolley Tours Usually held in late October 850-433-1559 Admission Charged Narrated tours led by costumed guides visit 39 sites around the Seville and North Hill historic districts where ghostly sightings are researched and documented by the Pensacola Historical Society.
November
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Pensacola Naval Air Station Usually held the second week of November 850-452-BLUE Admission Free With Pensacola as its home base, the Navy’s precision flight-demonstration team, the Blue Angels, performs two air shows in the area each year.
Gallery Night Usually held in mid-November 850-432-9906 Admission Free Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this quarterly event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation.
Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival Usually held in early November 850-432-9906 Admission Free The Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival hosts more than 200 fine art and craft exhibitors from around the country and attracts 150,000 art fans to Pensacola’s historic Seville Square. Also features activity-packed children’s arts area and live entertainment on several stages.
The Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival Usually held in mid-November 850-492-7664 This annual event held at several Perdido Key and Pensacola venues, features songwriters from throughout the country who showcase their talent in a competition atmosphere.
December
St. Anne’s Christmas Lights Held Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day 850-456-5966 Admission Free, Donation for Parking Over a million lights illuminate the church grounds in a spectacular display that also features free refreshments.
ZOOLights Held Thanksgiving throughout New Year’s Day 850-932-2229 Admission Charged The ZOO in Gulf Breeze hosts this event with holiday and animal scenes decorated with more than a million lights. Nightly entertainment rounds out the fun.
Christmas on the Island Usually held early December 800-635-4803 Celebrate Pensacola Beach’s holiday spirit with a land parade followed by a boat parade along Santa Rosa Sound.
Arts and Entertainment
75 South Tarragona Street Pensacola, FL 32501 850-433-6737
The Pensacola Symphony 205 E. Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 850-435-2533 Season runs October – May, call for additional information
Theater
Center for the Fine and Performing Arts University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514 850-474-2000 Season runs October – April, call for additional information
Pensacola Little Theatre 400 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, Florida 32502 850-432-2042 Season begins in September, call for additional information
Saenger Theatre 118 South Palafox Place Call for additional information Since 1925, the theatre has had a major presence in Pensacola. From Vaudeville to Broadway, it has hosted it all. Whether its music, a Broadway play or an individual performance, this “grand dame” has it all.
Sports
7451 Pine Forest Road Pensacola, FL 32526 850-944-8400 Pensacola Greyhound Track offers live racing excitement and simulcast horse racing events. Catch the thrill of high-speed action-packed greyhound racing. Join the fun in the fully-enclosed, climate-controlled Kennel Club, Lounge, or Grandstand-- or enjoy rail side seating outdoors for a close-up look at the excitement!
The Pensacola Ice Pilots (East Coast Hockey League) Play in the Pensacola Civic Center Season is fall and winter 201 East Gregory Street -
Rear 850-432-PUCK (7825)
Play at the University of West Florida Season is from June through August 850-934-8444 The Pensacola Power is part of the National Women's Football Association. The Power have won multiple championships. |