Discover Pensacola’s Biggest Events: Top Local Happenings You Can’t Miss
Pensacola, Florida, is more than just beautiful beaches and historic landmarks; it’s a community rich in art, culture, and thrilling entertainment. The city hosts various large-scale events throughout the year, drawing residents and tourists for vibrant celebrations of music, food, art, and more. Here’s a roundup of the top big local events in Pensacola that you won’t want to miss.
1. Pensacola Beach Air Show
The Pensacola Beach Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels, typically takes place in July. The show includes a variety of civilian acts and the Blue Angels’ flight demonstrations. Practice sessions for the Blue Angels are held on the beach in the days leading up to the show.
Specific Details:
Dates: The 2024 Pensacola Beach Air Show was held July 10-13. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels (.mil) are expected to return to Pensacola Beach in July 2025.
Civilians Acts: Civilian acts begin at noon and the Blue Angels perform at 2 p.m.
Practice Sessions: The Blue Angels often hold practice sessions on the beach, with a full practice show starting around 2 p.m.
Location: The event takes place at Park East on Pensacola Beach, Pensacola, FL 32508.
Blue Angels: The Blue Angels are the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron.
Admission: Admission to the Pensacola Beach Air Show is free.
2. Foo Foo Festival
The Foo Foo Festival in Pensacola is an annual 12-day celebration of art and culture, taking place each year in the fall. It’s scheduled for October 30 – November 10, 2025. The festival features a diverse range of artistic and cultural events, with a focus on Southern sophistication.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Dates: October 30 – November 10
Location: Pensacola, Florida
What it is: A 12-day festival that brings together a variety of art, culture, and creative experiences.
Theme: Celebration of Southern arts and culture.
Purpose: To liven up the “shoulder season” in Pensacola and offer high-quality artistic and cultural experiences to visitors.
Pensacola Mardi Gras features a series of events, including a kick-off celebration, the Illuminated Parade, and the Grand Mardi Gras Parade, all taking place in downtown Pensacola. The main parade, the Grand Mardi Gras Parade, typically happens on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday and involves decorated floats, krewes, and community participation. The celebration also includes a kick-off on Twelfth Night (January 6th), featuring a blessing ceremony, a procession, and free king cake.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Twelfth Night Kick-Off: In Pensacola, the Twelfth Night celebration, marking the kickoff of the Mardi Gras season, is traditionally held on the first Saturday in January, which is also the 12th day after Christmas. While the actual 12th night (January 6th) may not always fall on a Saturday, the Pensacola celebration is scheduled for the first Saturday to ensure a larger turnout and ease of planning, according to the Pensacola News Journal.
Illuminated Parade:Takes place on the Friday evening of the parade weekend, typically at 7:30 p.m., in downtown Pensacola.
Grand Mardi Gras Parade:The main event, taking place on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, with floats, krewes, and community participation.
Road Closures:Downtown streets are closed to traffic for the parades, and parking restrictions are in place, so arriving early is recommended.
Family Fun:The celebration is known for being family-friendly, with food, music, and other activities for all ages.
While the specific dates change each year, Pensacola Mardi Gras typically begins around the Twelfth Night (January 6) and culminates with the Grand Mardi Gras Parade on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. For other details:https://pensacolamardigras.com/
4. Pensacola Seafood Festival
The Pensacola Seafood Festival will be held on September 26, 27, and 28. It’s a three-day event in historic downtown Pensacola, featuring live music, food, and arts & crafts. The festival is organized by Fiesta Pensacola.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Date: September 26-28.
Features:
Seafood: Enjoy a variety of Gulf-inspired dishes from local restaurants and vendors.
Live Music: The festival offers live performances throughout the weekend.
Arts & Crafts: Browse unique handmade items from over 150 artisans and craftsmen.
Family Activities: There are children’s areas with engaging activities.
The Pensacola Interstate Fair runs from October 16-26. It’s the Gulf Coast’s largest and most thrilling event, featuring over 60 rides, live entertainment, educational exhibits, and various food options. The fair is held at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds.
Specifics:
Dates: October 16-26
Location: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds
Features:
Over 60 rides
Live music and other entertainment
Educational exhibits
Diverse food options
Craft shows, flea markets, vendor shows, auto expos, and more
Hours: Specific daily hours vary; see the official website for details.
Tickets: General admission for adults is $14, and for kids ages 4-11 it’s $6, with free admission for children under 3. “Super Save” gate admission tickets are available, says the Pensacola News Journal.
6. Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival in Pensacola takes place annually in Seville Square, and the 2025 festival will be held November 7-9. It’s a juried art show featuring over 200 artists, including painters, sculptors, jewelers, and more. The festival runs from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9 am to 4 pm on Sunday. A Children’s Festival also takes place on Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.
Detailed Information:
Date: November 7-9
Location: Seville Square, Pensacola, Florida
Hours: Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday: 9 am – 4 pm Children’s Festival: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm
Type: Juried art show
Artists: Over 200 artists, including painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, artisans, and more
Heritage Arts: The festival features a Heritage Arts area with demonstrations of traditional crafts.
Student Art Show: Students from elementary, middle, and high school display their work.
Performing Arts: The festival includes a performing arts stage with theater, folk, and ballet dance.
Prize Money: Artists compete for $26,000 in prize money
The Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival is a multi-day event featuring performances by songwriters at various beachside venues in Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. The festival runs from September 30 to October 12. The schedule is published on the official festival website around the first week of October.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Date: September 30 – October 12.
Location: Pensacola Beach and Pensacola, Florida.
Performances: The festival features songwriters from various genres, including Grammy Award winners, platinum hit songwriters, and local talent.
Venues: Performances take place at various venues like bars, restaurants, and other attractions on Pensacola Beach.
Accessibility: Many shows are free to the public, but some venues may charge a cover or have ticketed events.
Schedule: The official schedule is published on the festival website early in October.
Gallery Night Pensacola is typically held on the third Friday of each month from 5-9 pm in Downtown Pensacola, Florida. These events feature local art, food, music, and businesses, and often have a specific theme. The next Gallery Night is on Friday, May 16th.
Here’s a more detailed look:
Location: Downtown Pensacola, Florida, along Palafox Street.
Time: 5-9 pm.
Frequency: Third Friday of each month.
What to Expect:
Local artists showcasing and selling their work.
Food trucks and local restaurants offering a variety of dishes.
Live music from local bands and performers.
Often a specific theme for each month.
Upcoming Events:
May 16th: Art in Bloom.
June 20th: Juneteenth “Art of Freedom”
July 18th: Swinging Into Art “A 1920s Jazz Night”.
August 15th: Retro Rides & Art Vibes “Car Show”.
Parking: There is no parking along Palafox Street between Garden and Main streets during Gallery Night. More information on parking can be found on the Gallery Night Pensacola website.
More Information: For the most up-to-date information on artists, performers, and special events, visit the Gallery Night Pensacola website or their social media pages.
