What's Happening
Calendar of Events
Year round fun on the beach!
The beach is the setting for a calendar of events full of diverse and inviting things to do: from the Pensacola Beach Air Show, to Bands On The Beach live concerts every Tuesday night at the Gulfside Pavilion, to stargazing on clear nights, to signature sporting events and festivals like the Crawfish Festival, Taste of the Beach and Art & Wine Festival. There’s always something going on, so check out our full calendar of events below.
J A N U A R Y
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE
New Year’s Day, January 1 2 p.m. Brave the cold and start the New Year with a dip in the Sound.
SNOWBIRDS BEACH BASH
January 26, 2018 9-10:30 a.m. Pensacola Beach welcomes winter visitors at this fun event. Meet at Pensacola Beach Community Church, enjoy a light breakfast, shopping local businesses and explore Pensacola Beach via our Trolleys beginning at 10:45 a.m. Plus this year enjoy the music of an Elvis Tribute and win big at Trivia Blast Bingo!
F E B R U A R Y
MARDI GRAS
Parties, parades and activities for kids and adults.
M A R C H
GO IRISH ON THE ISLAND!
March 17, 2018 St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Make your way through dozens of beach bars, restaurants and hotels serving up Irish drink specials, music and mischief.
A P R I L
BANDS ON THE BEACH
April – October 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Pensacola Beach’s popular outdoor summer concert series, Bands on the Beach, features a lineup of performers sure to please every musical taste. Located in the beautiful Gulfside Pavilion overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the series features regional artists performing a wide variety of music. Bring your lawn chair and join us every summer for hot music, smooth grooves and a whole lot of good times. Bands on the Beach takes place every Tuesday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting April through October, 2018. Complete Bands & Dates listing
PENSACOLA BEACH CRAWFISH FESTIVAL
TBA, 2018 5-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.- 9.p.m. Saturday, Noon-6 p.m. Sunday Mudbugs invade the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk in April again with the annual Pensacola Beach Crawfish Festival, hosted at Bamboo Willie’s.
STARGAZING NIGHTS
April – October 7 – 9 p.m. Held on the first quarter moon weekend, beginning at sunset at the Gulfside Pavilion. Complete list of Stargazing nights for 2018
MAY
GRAND PRIX OF WATERCROSS
TBA Gulfside Pavilion Closed course Jet Ski racing and freestyle competition.
J U L Y
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS
July 4, Sound side 8:30 p.m. Celebrate your independence with fireworks on the sound side of the Island.
PENSACOLA BEACH AIR SHOW
July 14, 2018 Red, White & Blues Week! It’s all eyes to the skies as the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, civilian and other military aircraft perform acrobatics over the Gulf of Mexico. The Pensacola Beach Air Show presented by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Complete Air Show details
A U G U S T
SEA TURTLE BABY SHOWER
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Landshark Landing (165 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach, on the Margaritaville Beach Hotel property )
A family friendly afternoon of games, activities, entertainment to educate and celebrate Sea Turtles. Take the Sea Turtle Friendly Oath, Meet Meg the Mermaid. Touch a real turtle shell. Lots of giveaways.
Event is free to public.
S E P T E M B E R
VETTES AT THE BEACH CAR SHOW
September 7-8, 2018 Corvette show with vettes of all ages to admire at Casino Beach parking lot.
TASTE OF THE BEACH
September 15, 2018 Pensacola Beach’s biggest culinary event happens in September, and you’re invited! The 11th Annual Taste of the Beach will start with a special VIP dinner on Friday night, Sept. 14, and the fun will continue the following day, Sept. 15, with cook offs, cooking demonstrations, a chef challenge, sample tastings and live concerts along the sugar-white sands and emerald green waters of Pensacola Beach.
O C T O B E R
PENSACOLA BEACH SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
October 3-7, 2018 More than 100 songwriters perform on 15 stages across Pensacola Beach. Most events are free and open to the public. Some special events require tickets. For ticket info go to http://www.pensacolabeachsongfest.com
ART & WINE FEST
October 21, 2018 A weekend of art and wine on Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
SANTA ROSA ISLAND TRIATHLON
October TBA, 2018 A nationally acclaimed USAT-sanctioned sprint triathlon.
N O V E M B E R
VETERAN’S DAY PARADE
November 11, 2018 A salute to our nation’s veterans
D E C E M B E R
SEASON YOUR HOLIDAYS
Looking for a unique winter wonderland this holiday season without the frigid temperatures? Pensacola Beach, with its sugary-white sand, offers guests a guaranteed white Christmas and is jam-packed with “island style” holiday activities guaranteed to get even the worst Scrooges in the spirit.
December 1, 2018 Lighted Boat Parade 6:30 p.m. 4 p.m. Pre-show party for kids. Lighted Boat Parade from Sabine Marina to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk – View parade procession in Little Sabine at 6:30 pm. View from Quietwater Beach area at 7:30 p.m. Look for Santa on the lead boat! Fireworks with Santa- Soundside- 8 p.m.
December 2, 2018 Surfing Santa Beach Parade 2 p.m.- 3 p.m.
December 31 New Year’s Eve Fireworks 8 p.m. Keep your eyes focused on the Pensacola Beach skies this New Year’s Eve for a free firework displays along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. At 8 p.m. a dazzling light display, provided by the beach chamber, will take place overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
January 1, New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge 2 p.m.