The bells are ring-a-linging, the stars are brightly shining and the cool air is nipping at your nose. Everywhere you go, holiday cheer is spreading and warming hearts all over the Pensacola area. Whether you’re a local or fresh off a train from Whoville, Pensacola is home to many festive celebrations. So, take in all the seasonal fun that our beautiful city has to offer at some of these can’t-miss events. Hop in the car with friends and family to check out dazzling displays of twinkling lights, or visit downtown Pensacola and experience the magic of Winterfest. From reliving timeless classics re-created for the stage to hand delivering letters to Santa, there are plenty of festive holiday events to keep the whole family excited throughout the season.
Pensacola Children’s Chorus presents Christmas on the Coast | Dec. 13, 14 & 15
Celebrate the joy and wonder of the holiday season with a spectacular evening of music that will leave audiences of all ages feeling the warmth and joy of the holidays. Take a train to Toyland, where the magic of Christmas comes alive in the form of a charming parade of wooden soldiers. Continue your journey down memory lane as the Pensacola Children’s Chorus (PCC) choirs deliver fresh takes of beloved holiday classics from stage and screen.
“In honor of PCC’s 35 years of holiday performances, we’re delighted to revisit familiar favorites from the past three decades, celebrating the best moments from our Christmas concerts over the years,” PCC Artistic & Executive Director Alex Gartner said. “These cherished performances will resonate with both new and returning audience members, ensuring a nostalgic yet vibrant celebration of the season.”
This Christmas on the Coast will feature a musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, bringing the classic holiday story to life through music, vivid costumes and a theatrical flair that will transport the audience to Victorian London. From the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge to the ghostly visitations of Christmas Past, Present and Future, this captivating performance will remind us all of the true meaning of the holidays— generosity, kindness and love.
In celebration of this anniversary season, this year’s concert marks the return of a PCC classic, One Flame, an original composition by founding artistic director Allen Pote, and a mainstay of PCC concerts for years during his and his wife Susan’s 26-year directorship. Alumni will be invited to singalong. The evening promises to be an emotional journey, filled with heartwarming traditional carols, spirited new arrangements and a spectacular stage design that will immerse the audience. Whether you’re revisiting this annual tradition or joining us for the first time, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In a change from previous years, Saturday’s performance will be a matinee performance at 2:30 pm. Patrons are encouraged to stay downtown for the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade and catch some of PCC’s singers leading the cavalcade with Cat Country 98.7 FM.
Tickets are on sale beginning October 21 and can be purchased by visiting the Saenger Theatre box office or online at pensacolasaenger.com. Pricing starts at $15 and streaming options are also available. For additional information, visit pensacolasings.org/performances.
Pensacola Winterfest | Through Dec. 24
Winterfest is back in action this year with its popular lineup of holiday tours, parades, photo ops and more until the night before Christmas. Hop on a festive trolley and follow the Christmas spirit with the Grinch, the Polar Express and Ebenezer Scrooge. The Grinch is trying to steal Christmas in an all-new Christmas tree heist! Attendees are invited to capture the naughty Grinch before he gets away. Be sure to dress in your best Seussian costume for the chance to win a free train ticket. The Scrooge Tour will have you follow Scrooge on an adventure to Christmas Past, Present and Future with a few more ghosts along the way, and the Polar Express Tour will have you dancing in your seat with steaming hot chocolate and believing in Christmas magic. Snap a few photos with Santa Claus after you tell him your Christmas wishlist and snap some with the Grinch—but be careful! If you tell him what you want for Christmas, he might snatch it from under your tree. For more information and ticket purchases, visit pensacolawinterfest.org.
Holland Farm’s Christmas on the Farm | Sat. & Sun. through Dec. 17
Take a train to the North Pole and hop on a hay ride to visit Santa right here in Milton! Holland Farms is hosting Santa this year with a whimsical Christmas bash. Have your picture taken on Santa’s lap while telling him what you want under the tree or get up to some mischief with the naughty Grinch. Don’t forget to grab some of their famous boiled nuts and visit all the friendly animals to spread the holiday cheer. Each paid admission includes a craft to decorate. For tickets and more details, visit hollandfarmsonline.com.
Sowell’s North Pole | Through Dec. 25
There’s no need to face freezing temperatures to see the North Pole when Sowell’s has created their very own North Pole here in the panhandle. Sowell Farm’s North Pole event boasts a magical light show of over one million lights. Under the lights hop on a train ride, take photos with Santa, or enjoy a camel ride. Elves will be hard at work making hot chocolate, popcorn, and other snacks for the family to enjoy. Entry is $20 per vehicle. Visit sowellfarms.com for more information.
Hot Glass Cold Brew: Holiday Pajama Party | Dec. 6
Don your sleepy holiday apparel for an entertaining evening. Watch glass-blowing and pottery demonstrations, visit the annual holiday market featuring artists from all over the panhandle, enjoy the vibrant live music, and wander the gallery opening showcasing works from FCAC’s Gallery 1060 artists. Collectible ceramic or glass cups are included with ticket purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis. Come with an empty stomach and fill up at the many Pensacola-favorite food trucks. For more information and tickets visit firstcityart.org.
Lighted Boat Parade at Pensacola Beach | Dec. 6
The Pensacola Beach Chamber is hosting its annual Lighted Boat Parade in the Santa Rosa Sound on Saturday, December 6, at 6:30 pm. It will set sail from the Sabine Marina, travel around the Santa Rosa Boardwalk and circle back to the marina. Kids can decorate cookies and take pictures with Santa From 4 to 6 pm at Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach location. Spectators can watch either from the Sabine or the boardwalk. Boats can be any size, shape or color and will compete for “most merry” and “best of show” awards during the parade. Visit pensacolabeachcamber.com for more information.
VW Christmas Light Cruise | Dec. 7
This event marks one of the original cruises that initiated what we now celebrate as Pensacola VW Happenings. There’s nothing quite like witnessing over 40 VWs take over the streets of Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, all beautifully decorated. Coastal County Brewery will once again host food and beverages before the cruise. This year’s route will proceed down Scenic Highway, through downtown on Palafox, and conclude at Pensacola Beach. The gathering at Coastal County Brewing Company will begin at 4:30 pm, with the cruise set to roll out at 6:30 pm, culminating in a group photo! For more details, visit facebook.com/coastalcounty.
Milton Christmas Parade | Dec. 7
Presented by Dan Stewart Law Firm, watch the Milton Christmas Parade’s dazzling display of moving lights travel down Stewart Street by Milton High School. The Parade will start moving at 6 pm traveling from down Stewart Street. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays as the floats drive by. A must-see for Milton residents! For a copy of the parade route map or more information, visit business.srcchamber.com.
Gulf Breeze Zoo’s Christmas ZOObilee | Dec. 7, 8, 14 & 15
Gulf Breeze Zoo is hosting its sixth annual Christmas ZOObilee on select weekends this December. There will be something for the entire family to enjoy, such as live music and entertainment, winter-themed bouncy houses, tasty holiday treats and unique gifts from local artists in the Candy Cane Market. There will also be a visit from the big man in a red suit, Santa Claus and Whoville’s favorite green man, the Grinch. Don’t forget to hand-deliver a letter to Santa before taking pictures in his sleigh. Watch out for photobombs from the zoo’s silliest animals when taking grumpy photos with the Grinch! There will also be a chili cook-off from 11 am to 2 pm and a dance party at 1:30 pm to get those Christmas jitters out. The Gulf Breeze Zoo will be open from 10 am to 4 pm during the holiday season. Tickets are $10 per member and can be purchased online at gbzoo.com.
Surfing Santa Beach Parade | Dec. 8
Join us at Pensacola Beach for the annual Surfing Santa Beach Parade, where you can glimpse Santa waving from the parade’s end. Festivities kick off at 2 pm, beginning at Panferio Drive and making their way down Via De Luna, ultimately arriving at the Gulfside Pavilion. Enjoy the colorful procession as elves and mascots toss toys and treats into the crowd. Visit pensacolabeachchamber.com for more information.
PLT presents A Christmas Story | Dec. 13 through 22
Relive the Christmas classic at Pensacola Little Theatre following young Ralphie Parker’s timeless quest for a Red Ryder BB gun in 1940s Indiana. Adapted for the stage by Philip Grecian and Jean Shepherd, laugh, sigh, and cry with the Parker family as Ralphie navigates through childhood’s most significant challenges, all in the pursuit of the ultimate Christmas wish. Don’t miss A Christmas Story, an enduring holiday classic that speaks to the child in all of us. Tickets are available now on the PLT website, or by calling the Box Office at (850) 432-2042.
Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade | Dec. 14
The Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade celebrates 42 years on Saturday, December 14, in downtown Pensacola. This highly anticipated holiday event will start at 5:30 pm and will be livestreamed on WKRG.com. The Christmas Parade will have over 50 floats parading the town and performances by high school marching bands from Escambia County and Pace and Milton High Schools. The Pensacola Runners Association has collaborated with the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade for the annual Downtown Parade Christmas Dash. The 1.2mile race will be held immediately before the parade and will use the same route as the parade. The Blue Angels flight demonstration crew will also be featured during the parade, so there will be Christmas cheer everywhere you look. All proceeds will go towards the local high school band’s booster organization. For more information about the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade, visit coxpensacolachristmasparade.org and facebook.com/PensacolaChristmas.
Studer Community Institute’s Gingerbread House Competition | Dec. 14
Get the chance to join the fun for a great cause with Studer Community Institute’s Gingerbread House Competition on December 14. As a fundraiser for early brain development initiatives, this public event will have plenty of family-friendly winter activities, gingerbread houses displayed, photos taken with Santa, and more holiday entertainment. Enter your spectacular gingerbread house for a chance to take home $2,000. The Gingerbread House Competition will be held at the SCI Building lobby at 220 W Garden St. All proceeds will go to SCI’s Early Brain Development Efforts. For more information, visit facebook.com/StuderInstitute.
White Tie Rock Ensemble–A White Tie Christmas | Dec. 20
Don your old skinny jeans and Eagles band tee for The White Tie Rock Ensemble’s holiday tribute concert featuring the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and many other favorites at the Pensacola Bay Center on December 20 at 8 pm. See the artists that will send you back in time with a performance that pairs a magnificent performance with nostalgic videos. The White Tie Christmas show combines the familiarity of classic rock with a symphonic orchestra for a brand-new sound. Have a wonderful Christmastime with the White Tie Rock Ensemble. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. For complete show details, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.
Ballet Pensacola presents The Nutcracker | Dec. 20, 21 & 22
The Pensacola Ballet presents the highly anticipated performance of The Nutcracker at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre in December. Follow along with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince to defeat the evil Mouse King and watch her transform into a Sugar Plum fairy right before your very eyes. Ballet Pensacola brings together breathtaking choreography alongside Tchaikovsky’s spectacular musical score to bring The Nutcracker to life. Performances of The Nutcracker will take place December 20, 21 and 22 at the historic Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Tickets range from $50 to $85 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Pensacola Beach | Dec. 31
Ring in the new year on the beach with the Pensacola Beach Chamber as they host a fireworks show at precisely midnight on New Year’s Eve. Watch the magical and colorful fireworks paint the sky over our gorgeous white, sandy beach. Spectators may watch from Pensacola Beach or the Santa Rosa Sound. Bring a sparkle to your kids’ eyes and watch this light display to wrap up the end of 2024. Visit pensacolabeach.com for more information.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents Celebrate the New Year! | Dec. 31
The Saenger Theatre will come alive with music this New Year’s Eve. Feel the rhythm of the new year come through jazz vocalist Sydney McSweeney and vocalist and trumpeter Byron Stripling, who will join the orchestra for a night of swinging, energetic and addictive music. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.
Polar Bear Plunge at Pensacola Beach | Jan. 1
Dip your toes into the icy cold water at Pensacola Beach’s Polar Bear Plunge. Rinse off the last year and celebrate the new year at Paradise Bar & Grill with hundreds of other dippers during this annual tradition starting at 2 pm. With a $15 cash registration fee that includes a Polar Bear Plunge t-shirt, this event will be enjoyable for all ages. The registration donation is only $10 without the t-shirt and $5 for kiddos ten and under. Registration begins at noon. All proceeds go to the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce for the island events. Visit their website for more information at pensacolabeach.com.