Things to do in Pensacola: Christmas Parade; Flora-Bama Santa Drop; Christmas on the Coast

Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

MONDAY

First City Lights Festival

Wednesday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Jan. 13. Downtown Pensacola. The Downtown Improvement Board hosts their annual holiday lighting ceremony First City Lights Festival. Throughout the holiday season attendees will experience music, shopping, food, art and nightlife under a canopy of white lights illuminating downtown Pensacola. More info: downtownpensacola.com.

Monday Night Blues

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Seville Quarter and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida are bringing the “blues” back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District. The event features live blues music and "BBQ and Bud" food and drink specials. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

FRIDAY

Pensacola Winterfest

Various times Friday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Dec. 24. Based at the plazas around the Old County Courthouse at the corner of Palafox and Government streets in downtown Pensacola. Downtown comes alive with song and dance, arts and crafts during the holidays with Winterfest. Attendees can enjoy a variety of activities including A Whoville Christmas Caper, the Polar Express Tour, The Grinch's Merry Match, the Scrooge Tour, Photos with the Grinch, and Photos with Santa. More info and tickets: pensacolawinterfest.org.

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Tacky Tinseltown Holiday Party

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. Get ready to jingle your bells and deck those halls because the Perdido Chamber is throwing the bash of the year, their annual Holiday Party and Ugly Sweater Contest. Dust off those cringe-worthy holiday sweaters and wear them with pride. The party features prizes and giveaways including gift certificates, swanky merchandise, and goodies to stuff into Santa's bag. $15 for chamber members; $25 for non-members. More info: visitperdido.com.

Christmas on the Coast

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 through 10. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Kick off the most wonderful time of the year with a sensational holiday concert that promises to warm your heart, lift your spirits and take you on a joyous journey like no other. The performance begins with a burst of energy as a Celtic rendition of “Joy to the World” fills the air, accompanied by authentic Irish step dancing. Enjoy a spirited journey around the world, as singers explore how love and light are celebrated in diverse cultures. From heartwarming traditions to breathtaking displays of unity and joy, this performance will remind attendees of the true spirit of the season. Tickets start at $15. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

SATURDAY

Camellia Show & Plant Sales

7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. WSRE Jean and Paul Amos Studio, 1000 College Blvd. The Pensacola Camellia Club hosts their 85th annual Camellia Show & Plant Sales. Camellia hobbyists from the five Gulf States enter over 1,000 blooms in what is considered to be one of the top shows in the southeast. Blooms compete in two categories: those grown in greenhouses and those grown outdoors. Event times are 7 to 10 a.m. (bloom prep), 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (judging) and 1 to 4 p.m. (open for public viewing). Plant sales will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. More info: pensacolacamelliaclub.com.

Bike Pensacola’s Slow Ride

10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. The ride will be about an hour and 10 minutes long, at a casual pace. Nobody will be “dropped” or left behind. Children must be at least 10 years of age to ride their own bicycle, and ages 10 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No pets are allowed on the rides. Cyclists younger than 16 must wear a helmet by law; ages 16 and older helmets are recommended but are not required by law. More info: 850-687-9968 or bike@pensacolacan.org.

Christmas ZOObilee

10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 through 17. Gulf Breeze Zoo, 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway. Christmas ZOObilee includes winter-themed bounce stations, live music and entertainment, and a Candy Cane Market full of gifts, sights, smells and tastes of the season, including unique gifts from local artists and delicious holiday treats. Fun for the entire family, the event wouldn't be complete without a visit from the jolly man in a red suit. Weekends with Santa is an opportunity to hand-deliver last-minute Christmas letters while snapping a treasured photo with Saint Nick in his sleigh. The Grinch will also be in attendance for photos. More info: gbzoo.com.

Deck the Halls: A Holiday Event

10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2 through 16. Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St. Jackson’s has once again teamed up with the Pensacola Opera to present an event filled with holiday cheer featuring costumed carolers strolling from table to table singing all of the traditional carols. The quartet for the evening will include Tina Wang, Suzette Leger, Joseph Decker, and Greg Watson. The Pensacola Opera singers will serenade patrons with holiday favorites such as “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” to name a few. More info: jacksonsrestaurant.com.

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Flora-Bama Santa Drop

11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. The Flora-Bama kicks off the Christmas holidays with their annual Santa Drop. There’s no need to pay $20 to take a picture with Santa at the mall when you can see him skydive onto the Gulf Coast’s white sandy beaches then jump in line in the tent for Santa pictures for free. Beginning at 11 a.m., prior to Santa's arrival at 12:30 p.m., there will be kids crafts, games, live music featuring holiday tunes, face painting, juice and sweet treats. Free. More info: 850-492-0611 or florabama.com.

Pensacola Christmas Parade

5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Downtown Pensacola. The annual Pensacola Christmas Parade draws over 50,000 people each year, including nearly 100 entries, and eight bands from Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and New Orleans. The parade also features the nationally renowned Blue Angels flight team and a host of organizations from around the region. Preceding the parade is the 1.2 miles Christmas Parade Dash, sponsored by the Pensacola Runners Association. All profits go to the local high school band booster organizations. Over $25,000 has been donated to area high schools. More info: coxpensacolachristmasparade.org.

Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Saturday, Dec. 9. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Slippery When Wet was formed in 2003 by Jason Morey after answering many inquiries of “Are you Jon Bon Jovi?”. Most notably comedian Dave Chappelle invited Jason backstage following one of his comedy shows thinking that he was the New Jersey icon. It was then that Jason knew he had to take advantage of the resemblance. The tribute act has taken exact live arrangements from Bon Jovi’s 2000’s Crush tour , 2002’s Bounce tour , 2005’s Have a Nice Day tour, 2008’s Lost Highway tour and 2010’s The Circle tour to form what Morey refers to as an “Arena- Club Show”. Tickets start at $15. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.

SUNDAY

Holidays at the House

11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida, 5200 Bayou Blvd. Bring your festive spirit to the holiday market and brunch benefiting the children and families of Ronald McDonald House. The event will feature photos with Santa, market vendors, door prizes, live music, and more. More info: rmhcnwfl.harnessgiving.org/events/1111.

Ornament Making Party

Noon Sunday, Dec. 10. Sir Richard’s Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Sir Richard’s Public House will host an ornament making party while providing all supplies and ornaments. Customers are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. The featured drink for this event (subject to change) will be the Davidson Wheated Bourbon Hot Toddy. More drink specials may be announced prior to the event. For ages 21 and older. More info: sirrichardslounge.com.

Holiday Sing-Along

5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox St. Join the Choral Society of Pensacola to sing favorite songs of the season, enjoy holiday treats, and visit with Santa. The hour of family-friendly music making will also include brief performances by the Treble Ensemble, other members of the Choral Society, and special guests from Gulf Coast Chorale. Ass guests arrive, they will be greeted by the a cappella quartet Impromptune. Admission is free, although organizers hope you’ll bring non-perishable food items for Manna Pantries. More info: choralsocietyofpensacola.org.

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: Christmas Parade; Flora-Bama Santa Drop