Pensacola Magazine

Fall Into Fun: Local Festivals & Seasonal Events

This fall, Pensacola will be packed with a variety of fun festivals to bring the community together in anticipation of cooler weather and the holiday season. There will certainly be an event for everyone–movie lovers, music aficionados, foodies, art connoisseurs and the whole family! We have compiled a list of some of the big festivals happening this month, including the popular Fall Food Truck Fest, the traveling Mountainfilm on Tour and several Foo Foo Fest events.

Winterfest

November 6, 15, 23 – 24, 29 – 30

December 1, 6 – 8, 13, 15, 20 – 24

It’s never too early for the holiday season and Christmas fun! This year’s Winterfest festivities will kick off earlier than ever to get the Pensacola community in the Christmas spirit. Beginning November 6, downtown Pensacola will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring festive decorations, performances and more.

This year’s Winterfest lineup will feature classic, fan-favorite activities including the Polar Express Tour and photos with Santa and the Grinch. The classic Elf Parade will return at the end of November, bringing the community together to watch their favorite holiday characters march through the downtown streets.

One new event that Winterfest Board President Denise Chenel Power is excited to announce is the Grinch’s Great Christmas Tree Heist. This all-new tour invites attendees to join the Whoville gang for an evening of excitement as they attempt to hunt down and capture the naughty Grinch. Throughout the tour, the Grinch will pull some of his most mischievous tricks in an attempt to become the most popular Winterfest character, but will he convince guests that he should become the new President of Winterfest instead of Santa Claus?

In addition to the newly added tour, Santa and the Grinch will have the opportunity to prove who is the better leader of Winterfest through a series of entertaining weekly debates. “Every week, there is a new debate between the protagonists bearing on important issues of the day, such as the Gingerbread Housing Shortage,” Power said.

Attendees will get to decide who they think should be the next Winterfest President, and the winner will be announced during the ceremonial lighting of the downtown Christmas decorations on November 29.

Winterfest guests can expect a variety of different activities for the whole family to enjoy. Along with photo opportunities to commemorate the return of this beloved annual event, there will also be a variety of fun holiday-themed activities, tours and performances taking place throughout the festival.

For more information on tickets and the complete lineup of 2024 Winterfest events, visit pensacolawinterfest.org and follow @PensacolaWinterfest on Facebook.

Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival

November 1 – 3

One big Foo Foo Fest event for art lovers is the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, returning this year in downtown Pensacola’s Seville Square with some of the best art pieces from artists across the country. The three-day juried art show draws over 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, artisans and other artists. Attendees will also enjoy live music and performances from local groups and demonstrations of traditional arts, crafts and trades by The Heritage Arts. The Children’s Art Festival allows kids to experience hands-on activities to cultivate their creativity, and the Student Art Show showcases the talents of students from local private and public schools. Several food and drink options will be available for purchase at the food court each day. Taking place Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3, the festival begins at 9 am each day and ends at 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, visit ggaf.org.

Pensacola Greek Festival

November 1 – 3

Returning for its 64th year, the Pensacola Greek Festival is back to honor Greek culture for a three-day celebration in downtown Pensacola at the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation. This family-friendly festival will include authentic Greek cuisine, traditional music and dance performances. Tours of the church will be available for those interested in the history and architecture of Greek culture. The festival begins on November 1 at 11 am and concludes on November 3 at 3 pm. Admission is free, and food and drink options will be available for purchase at the festival. Visit Pensacola Greek Festival’s Facebook page for more information on the event.

Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival

November 7 – 17

Another activity during Foo Foo Fest is the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival, an event for aspiring songwriters, experienced musicians and music lovers. Back for its 40th year, the festival will feature over 200 artists performing over ten days in several different venues along the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast. Grammy winners, Country Music Hall of Famers and other nationally acclaimed songwriters will join new, up-and-coming musicians to share their music and lyrics with the Gulf Coast communities. A raffle will be held for a chance to win prizes, including signed guitars, tickets to see country music artist Thomas Rhett live and a variety of gift cards. For more information on the list of venues, songwriters and admission guidelines, visit frankbrownsongwriters.com.

Night Moves Fest

November 9

A Foo Foo Fest activity for live music enthusiasts is the Night Moves Fest, an all-day, family-friendly music festival featuring national and regional indie artists. The headlining acts for this year’s event are Alvvays, Silversun Pickups and Beach Fossils, and several other artists are set to perform throughout the festival. In addition to live entertainment, food and drinks will be available for purchase from a variety of food trucks and local vendors. The main event will take place from 1 pm to 11 pm on November 9 at Community Maritime Park, and the first act will take the stage at 2 pm. Tickets are on sale now for general admission and VIP packages; children 10 and under are free. Guests can also purchase both general admission and VIP tickets on the day of the festival at the gate. Parking on the festival grounds and in the surrounding areas is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Visit nightmovesfest.com for more information on the event and tickets.

Eggfest

November 10

One of many Foo Foo Fest events, Pensacola’s annual EggFest returns this year to host teams of barbeque and backyard cooks from across the United States to whip up delicious food for the community. While the appetizing southern food may be the main event, the volunteer-led festival focuses its efforts on supporting the Pensacola community by raising money and awareness for local charities. One charity that the festival will continue its support for is Rally Pensacola, an organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. Profits will also be donated to the Manna Food Pantry, a local pantry dedicated to combating hunger and food insecurity. Since 2013, over $780,000 has been donated to multiple charities as a result of this annual barbeque party. This year, the festival will take place November 10 at 12 pm at the Hadji Temple, located at 800 W 9 Mile Rd. For more information on the event and tickets, visit pensacolaeggfest.com.

Fall Food Truck Fest

November 16

If you’re looking to try a variety of different foods while enjoying live entertainment and friendly competition, then Pensacola’s Fall Food Truck Fest is the event for you. Join other foodies and families in the excitement at Community Maritime Park, where several food trucks and vendors will be parked to offer delicious food, live music and a tasting competition. In addition to these family-friendly activities, the kids can release their energy in the festival’s bounce house. Tickets are available now for $5 general admission or free admission for kids 12 and under. A tasting competition ticket is $20, which includes general admission. The festival will take place at 301 W Main Street beginning at 11 am, and the tasting competition will run from 10–11 am. For more information on the event, tickets and vendor registration, visit apexshowsandevents.com.

Mountainfilm on Tour – Pensacola

November 16

Mountainfilm on Tour is coming to the Pensacola Little Theater on November 16 with two hours of captivating films. Enjoy inspiring, documentary-style short films focused on bringing people back to nature. Grab your friends and family for a fun night and leave with a newfound appreciation and understanding of the natural world around you. Along with the showings, there will be music before the show, snacks provided by End of the Line Cafe and a full bar available for guests to enjoy. The festival kicks off on November 16 at 6 pm. Tickets are $25 at the door or online. All proceeds will go to the local nonprofits Healthy Gulf and The Perdido Bay and Estuaries. For tickets and complete event details, visit mountainfilmpensacola.com.

Creek Fest

November 23 – 24

Hosted by the Santa Rosa Creek Band of the Lower Muscogee, the Creek Fest returns for lively Native American music, food, dance and other exciting activities for adults and children. Several artists are in the lineup of performers, including Billy Whitefox, Ed Wind Dancer, Jamie and Joe Empert, Lowery Begay, Medicine Tail Drum and Otter Oliver’s Dance Exhibition Team. Guests can attend tours guided by Creek tribe members dressed in traditional 19thcentury clothing. Tours include battle reenactments and several classic indigenous demonstrations. Handson arts and crafts are also offered for the kids. The festival will take place November 23 and 24 at 4750 Willard Norris Rd. in Milton. General admission is $5, and children under 7 are free. Tickets will be available until the day of the festival, and parking at the event will be free. Visit santarosacreekband.org for more information on this event and purchasing tickets.