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Special Events in Pensacola
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.
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.
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 Interstate Fair
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
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