Things to do in Pensacola: Elf Parade; Festival of Trees; Turkey Trot; Outdoor Flea Market
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, Nov. 20. 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.
TUESDAY
Adventures Unlimited Fall Foliage Zipline Tours
Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Thursday, Nov. 30. Adventures Unlimited Outdoor Center, 8974 Tomahawk Landing Road, Milton. The Beaches to Woodlands Tour is here and it brings a great time to enjoy the natural attractions at Adventures Unlimited located just north of in the Blackwater River State Forest. Enjoy the changing colors and excitement while doing one of the Canopy Zipline Tours. Overnight accommodations at the resort’s campsites or cabins are available along with canoeing and kayaking down the Coldwater Creek. Inquire about team building activities and group outings also. Details: adventuresunlimited.com.
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The World is Your Oyster: A Collaboration Dinner
5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21. Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. Atlas Oyster House and executive chef Jason Hughes present The World is Your Oyster: A Collaboration Dinner, featuring special guest executive chef Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse. In celebration of both the reopening of Atlas Oyster House and the six-year anniversary of the release of Miller’s cookbook, "Gulf Coast Oysters Classic & Modern Recipes of a Southern Renaissance," Hughes and Miller have teamed up to present a family-style oyster dinner event and cookbook signing. Both Hughes and Miller will be on hand to present the dinner and share stories of the Gulf, their favorite oyster recipes, and their experiences. $50. More info: 850-287-0200.
Jazz Ensemble & Combo in concert
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21. UWF Center for Fine & Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway. The University of West Florida and the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music will present the Jazz Ensemble & Combo in concert. Join the UWF Jazz Combo and UWF Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Joseph T. Spaniola for an evening of small and large ensemble instrumental jazz. The Combo will present works by Keith Jarrett, Billy Strayhorn, Koji Kondo and Duke Ellington, to name a few. The Jazz Ensemble will present the music of Shorty Rogers, Fred Sturm, Patty Darling, and Gerry Mulligan. Free, but tickets are required. More info: uwf.edu/cfpa.
WEDNESDAY
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Channeling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at its very best, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved groups of all time. Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups. Tickets start at $33. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
THURSDAY
Pensacola Turkey Trot
6:30 a.m., meet; 8 a.m., race; Thursday, Nov. 23. Seville Square, 399 S. Alcaniz St. There’s no better way to start off Thanksgiving Day than by running through the heart of downtown Pensacola. The Turkey Trot has been voted one of the best 5K courses in Pensacola. A post-race party will take place at Seville Square and the awards ceremony will take place in the Square’s pavilion. Food and refreshments will be provided to participants after the race. This is a B.Y.O.M (mimosas) affair. More info: runpensacola.com/event/2023-pensacola-turkey-trot/.
Flora-Bama Thanksgiving Potluck
Noon, bring covered dish; 1 p.m., serving; Thursday, Nov. 23. The Flora-Bama Lounge, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. The Flora-Bama invites everyone to eat, drink and be thankful during its traditional Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. The turkey and ham will be provided by the Flora-Bama, and patrons are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share. More info: florabama.com/thanksgiving-potluck.
Seville Quarter Thanksgiving Night Party
8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. The party starts with Seville Quarter’s College Night Reunion Celebration. Time to meet up with your old friends and catch up. Thanksgiving night at Seville is like a great big reunion party. Must be 18 to party, 21 to drink. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
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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.
The Elf Parade & Christmas Jubilee
10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Downtown Pensacola. Download and color your ears, wear your best elf outfit, salvage an ugly holiday sweater, or decorate your wagon or stroller for the annual Elf Parade. The Winterfest Wonderland Market gets underway at 10 a.m. and prior to the parade during the lineup, participants can take part in contests. Santa will announce the winners just before the march, and each winner will lead their section of the parade. More info: pensacolawinterfest.org.
Festival of Trees
Noon Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday, Nov. 24 through 26. Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St. WSRE is bringing its Festival of Trees to the Museum of Commerce in downtown Pensacola. Holiday trees and wreaths, decorated by local designers, will be on display and available for sale and there will be online auction bidding in support of the WSRE-TV Foundation. Auction bidding will take place on an online shop at wsre.org beginning Thanksgiving night. Purchased items can be picked up at the Museum of Commerce on Sunday, and tree delivery will be available for a fee. Free. More info: wsre.org.
Navarre Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
4:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Navarre Park, 8513 Navarre Parkway. The Navarre Chamber hosts the annual Navarre Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony sponsored by Baptist Emergency Room and Urgent Care. The ceremony will start with Christmas Carols lead by East Bay Church, and the official “flip of the switch” will take place at approximately 4:45 pm. Hot chocolate will be provided by the Perfect Blend Coffee, and refreshments will be provided. More info: 850-939-3267.
Celtic Angels Christmas
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Celtic Angels Christmas is a joyous celebration from start to finish, encompassing vocal and instrumental Holiday and Irish favorites. Paired with show-stopping world-class champion Irish dancing and a fully live band, the program stars the quintessential vocals of Louise Barry, Searlait NÍ Caiside, Olivia Bradley, Michaela Groth and Katie Sweeney. Musical arranger, Peter Sheridan (Cavan, Celtic Thunder) marries the old and new worlds with traditional and contemporary Irish and Holiday tunes. Brought to life by the Trinity Ensemble. Tickets start at $39. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
Fifth annual All Black Affair
8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Court of DeLuna Event Space, 116 E. Gonzalez St. Walk down the red carpet and have all eyes on you, including photographers and videographers capturing every moment. There will be five DJs in attendance to set the vibe. Participants may hang out in the Black Lounge to feel a reggae/R&B vibe or the All Black Affair’s famous “Red Room.” Grab a bite to eat with Fam Ty’s or get the full experience in the main event room. Network with friends and family for the holiday season and have a few drinks while dancing the night away. Tickets start at $40. For ages 25 and older. More info: 813-210-7711 or 850-206-8559.
SATURDAY
12th annual Small Business Shop & Dine Crawl
9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. 1804 Prado St., Navarre. Join the Navarre Beach Chamber of Commerce as they encourage shoppers to engage and connect with local businesses in the Navarre area. During the event, they hope participants will show support for their favorite local businesses by sharing selfies with #ShopSmall and #shopnavarre and tag the businesses they are visiting. Help spread the #shopsmall movement. More info: getrelaxing.com.
SUNDAY
Pensacola Community Outdoor Flea Market Extravaganza
10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. Need to declutter? Not looking to sell stuff and want to shop instead? There is no fee to enter so attendees have more cash to shop. Donations of $2 are appreciated at the entrance to help the Tunnel To Towers Foundations. Food trucks will also be on site. More info: apexshowsandevents.com.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop
10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. Elks Lodge, 2002 Elks Way, Navarre. Join the Navarre Garden Club for their annual Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop. Well known floral design instructor Linda Henderson will be on hand to instruct attendees on creating their own centerpiece for their Thanksgiving table. All materials are provided. Refreshments will be served. $17; $15 dollars for NGC members. More info: getrelaxing.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: Elf Parade; Festival of Trees; Turkey Trot
