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 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.
JANUARY
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE
New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, 2 p.m. Brave the cold and start the New Year with a dip in the Sound.
SNOWBIRDS BEACH BASH
January 22, 2026. This popular annual gathering is the perfect opportunity for seasonal residents and vacationers to connect with fellow snowbirds, enjoy good company, and stay up to date on everything happening on beautiful Pensacola Beach. Festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. with a classic shrimp boil, generously sponsored by Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, along with specialty drink offerings from Bamboo Willies. The event concludes at 5:00 p.m., making it an easy and enjoyable afternoon outing. Admission is just $5 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Pensacola Beach Jr. Lifeguard Program.
KIDS AND KRITTERS PARADE
january 24, 2026, 2 p.m. The twelfth annual Kids and Kritters Parade will take place in the Casino Beach parking lot across from Sidelines on Pensacola Beach.
FEBRUARY
DOUBLE BRIDGE RUN
February 7, 2026. Pensacola Sports Association presents the Double Bridge run.
KREWE OF WRECKS MARDI GRAS PARADE
February 15, 2026. The parade rolls at 2 p.m. from Via de Luna and Avenida 10 to the Gulfside Pavilion. The Krewe of Wrecks parade features approximately 50 units, oversized floats with generous riders, marching units and Wrecks royalty.
MARCH
CINEMAS IN THE SAND
March 13, 2026 – Elio. In this Disney and Pixar cosmic adventure, a creative and space-obsessed boy unexpectedly finds himself transported across the universe and mistaken for Earth’s official ambassador. Surrounded by eccentric alien civilizations and intergalactic challenges far beyond his comfort zone, Elio must discover courage, confidence, and the true meaning of belonging while trying to find his way home.
GO IRISH ON THE ISLAND!
TBD
APRIL
BANDS ON THE BEACH
April 2026 Band Lineup 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 America, 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.
Complete Bands & Dates listing
- April 7 – The Calverts
- April 14 – Whitesands Panhandle Band
- April 21 – Smoke Stak
- April 28 – Chase Mitchell
CINEMAS IN THE SAND
April 17, 2026 – The Paper Bear. This imaginative family adventure follows a father and son whose handmade paper creation magically comes to life. As the two embark on a journey filled with wonder, humor, and heartfelt moments, they learn powerful lessons about friendship, creativity, and the importance of believing in yourself.
MAY
BANDS ON THE BEACH
May 2026 Band Lineup 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 America, 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.
Complete Bands & Dates listing
- May 5 – Southern Breeze
- May 12 – Cristi Dee and BAD JUJU
- May 19 – Vibe Irie
- May 26 – Modern Eldorados
ART & WINE FEST
May 9, 2026 / 11 am – 4 pm. Enjoy a Saturday afternoon sipping wine and browsing artwork on the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
CINEMAS IN THE SAND
May 15, 2026 – Zootopia 2. Officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return to the bustling animal metropolis for an all-new case that leads them into unexplored districts of the city. As they unravel a complicated mystery that threatens the harmony of Zootopia, the duo must rely on teamwork, trust, and quick thinking in this action-packed and hilarious sequel for audiences of all ages.
JUNE
BANDS ON THE BEACH
June 2026 Band Lineup 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 America, 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.
Complete Bands & Dates listing
- June 2 – Cadillac Willy
- June 9 – 12Eleven
- June 16 – Goldmine
- June 23 – Disco Kiss
- June 30 – Johnny Earthquake & The Moondogs
SOUNDS OF SUMMER
Friday and Saturday evenings, 6 to 8 p.m. Relax while listening to saxophonist Jacoby Curry as he serenades the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk from the Quietwater Beach Shell. Jacob will perform every Friday and Saturday night in June from 6 to 8 p.m., weather permitting.
SEA TURTLE BABY SHOWER & HOMECOMING
TBD
JULY
SOUNDS OF SUMMER
Friday and Saturday evenings, 6 to 8 p.m. Relax while listening to saxophonist Jacoby Curry as he serenades the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk from the Quietwater Beach Shell. Except for July 17 & 18, Jacob will perform every Friday and Saturday night in July from 6 to 8 p.m., weather permitting.
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS
July 4, 2026. Soundside 9:00 p.m. Celebrate your independence with fireworks on the sound side of the Island.
BANDS ON THE BEACH
July 2026 Band Lineup 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 America, 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.
Complete Bands & Dates listing
- July 7 – Al Joslin Elvis Tribute
- July 14 – Owen Finley Electric String Band Club
- July 21 – On the Rox
- July 28 – Vinyl Revival
PENSACOLA BEACH AIR SHOW
July 15-18, 2026. 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 America. The Pensacola Beach Air Show presented by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Complete Air Show details
AUGUST
BANDS ON THE BEACH
August 2026 Band Lineup 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 America, 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.
Complete Bands & Dates listing
- August 4 – The New Cahoots
- August 11 – 9th Avenue Brass Band
- August 18 – Paperchase
- August 25 – Mass Kunfuzion
CINEMAS IN THE SAND
August 14, 2026 – Goat. This animated comedy centers on an underestimated farm goat who dreams of becoming a hero. When circumstances push him into an unexpected adventure, he proves that bravery, heart, and determination matter far more than size or reputation, delivering laughs and inspiration along the way.
SEPTEMBER
BANDS ON THE BEACH
September 2026 Band Lineup 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 America, 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.
Complete Bands & Dates listing
- September 1 – Not Quite Fab
- September 8 – Pistol Pearl & The Wester Band
- September 15 – Count the Years
- September 22 – Knee Deep Band
- September 29 – Float Like a Buffalo
CINEMAS IN THE SAND
September 11, 2026 – Hoppers. In Pixar’s inventive comedy adventure, technology allows humans to temporarily inhabit robotic animal bodies, opening the door to exciting discoveries, and plenty of chaos. When one curious character pushes the limits of the system, the result is a wild, funny, and heartfelt exploration of empathy, identity, and seeing the world through someone else’s perspective.
OCTOBER
BANDS ON THE BEACH
October 2026 Band Lineup 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 America, 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.
Complete Bands & Dates listing
- October 6 – The Astronauts
- October 13 – SheAndThelts
- October 20 – The Oliver’s Twist
- October 27 – Horseshoe Kitty
TASTE OF THE BEACH
October 8-11, 2026. Pensacola Beach’s biggest culinary event starts with a VIP dinner on Friday night followed by Saturday’s daylong event filled with cooking demonstrations, challenges and food tastings from more than a dozen beach restaurants.
BEACH-O-WEEN
TBD
CINEMAS IN THE SAND
October 16, 2026 – Toy Story 5. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the beloved toy gang return for another heartfelt chapter in Pixar’s iconic series. As children grow and technology evolves, the toys face new challenges that test their friendships and purpose, reminding audiences of all ages about loyalty, change, and what it truly means to be there for one another.
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
LIGHTED BOAT PARADE
December 5, 2025, 6:30 p.m. View the Lighted Boat Parade procession, starting from Sabine Marina in Little Sabine Bay to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk on the Santa Rosa Sound. Look for Santa on the lead boat and then join him for meet and greet to follow on the boardwalk by 8 p.m.
SURFING SANTA BEACH PARADE
December 7, 2025. Thousands of children, parents and other spectators make their way to Pensacola Beach on Sunday to see Santa Claus making his way down Via De Luna Drive at the annual Surfing Santa Beach Parade. Starting at 2 p.m. from Avenida 10, the parade will make its way down Via De Luna toward Casino Beach and end at the Gulfside Pavilion.
NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS
December 31, 2025, Midnight. 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 midnight a dazzling light display, provided by the beach chamber, will take place overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.