Things to do in Pensacola: First City Lights; Beach Art & Wine Fest; Songwriters’ Festival
Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
MONDAY
Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze
9 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 through Nov. 6. Sweet Season Farms, 2260 Horn Road, Milton. Visitors can spend time this fall season navigating their way through a unique corn maze with plenty of room to spread out on the farm. U-pick sunflowers will be blooming in October along with the pumpkin patch. Experience more than 25 fun farm-themed activities including a cow train, beeline zipline, corn popper jumping pillow, barnyard ball, and playground. More info: sweetseasonfarms.com.
Mean Girls
7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 6 and 7. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Direct from Broadway, Mean Girls is the hit musical from an award-winning creative team, including writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock”). Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Tickets start at $53. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6. 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.
Go deep in the Foo Foo: Night on the Tracks Block Party in Old East Hill will feature music, art and puppets
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.
WEDNESDAY
Gulf Coast Veterans Week
Wednesday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 11. Various locations. At 4 p.m. Wednesday, the UWF Military and Veterans Resource Center invites to a free comedy show by the GI’s of Comedy in the UWF Conference Center. Enjoy Laughter is Good for the Soul - An Evening in the Park at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Park. Laughter brings diverse groups of people together. This show will contain adult content not appropriate for children. Free admission for active military with ID. The Veterans Day Ceremony will take place Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park. Exhibits, musical entertainment, and food trucks begin at 9 a.m. The ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. The keynote speaker is the Hon. Gary Bergosh. The Veterans Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Spring and Main Street, and end at Veterans Memorial Park. The week will conclude with the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation Dinner & Concert Fundraiser, taking place at 5 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, Chipley Hall. This evening event will include the Presentation of Colors by the USMC Color Guard, dinner, a silent and live auction, then a capping off of the evening with a celebrity concert by Mac McAnally, the guitarist in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Tickets are $150. More info: veteransweekus.com.
POP Odyssey: An Interactive Curated Experience
Wednesday, Nov. 8. UWF Historic Trust, 120 Church St. Join the UWF Historic Trust for a trolley tour through downtown Pensacola with curated stops to take in the tastes and scenes of Pensacola history through time. This unique tour will include stops at the Pensacola Outdoor Project (POP) Murals in with complementary food pairings. Guests will be treated to an engaging narration from a living history actor as they visit the seven POP mural locations during the evening. Selected stops will include food and/or drink that pairs with the theme of the mural location being visited. More info: foofoofest.com.
First City Lights Festival
3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8. Downtown Pensacola. The Downtown Improvement Board hosts their annual holiday lighting ceremony First City Lights Festival. Join friends at the shops on Palafox to enjoy the magic when Santa will officially turn on the lights. There will be a meet and greet with Santa at 3:30 p.m. at the Pensacola Museum of History. At 5 p.m., Santa will turn on the lights and ride down Palafox Street. At 5:15 p.m., organizers will launch the seventh annual Holiday Haul on Palafox. 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.
THURSDAY
Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival
Thursday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 19. Various locations. The 39th annual Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival will feature nationally acclaimed songwriters in venues along the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast. The festival is an opportunity for seasoned and aspiring songwriters and musicians from all over the world to have their songs heard, and for the public to learn the stories behind the lyrics that only the song’s author can express. This is the largest gathering of national and local songwriters performing on the Florida coast with more than 195 artists, 210 performances and 31 music stages. More info: frankbrownsongwriters.com.
Mahabhuta Yoga VegFest
Thursday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 12. Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 South I St. Enjoy the ultimate celebration of Yoga, Music, Art, Slackline, Aerial, Galactic Child Yoga and vegan cuisine at the Mahabhuta Yoga VegFest. Immerse yourself in a weekend filled with yoga, plant-based cuisine, and a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. More info and ticket details: mahabhutayogavegfest.com.
The Pensacola Foo Foo Festival
Thursday, Nov. 2 through Monday, Nov. 13. Multiple locations. Foo Foo Fest is a 12-day celebration each fall that attracts visitors to Pensacola with culturally creative happenings, events and moments under one banner. Foo Foo Fest is big fun with events of high artistic and cultural caliber, delivered with a hefty dose of Southern sophistication. More info: FooFooFest.com.
Pensacola Opera’s Songs Down South
5 p.m., festival; 7:30 p.m., concert; Thursday, Nov. 9. Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Pensacola Opera’s Songs Down South will celebrate two well-loved southern traditions, food and music. In the fresh, fall air enjoy a variety of southern-crafted cocktails, wine, and beer during the festival. Heading inside the Jean & Paul Amos Studio for the concert, the Opera Cowgirls will kick things off with their country renditions of opera’s greatest hits. Festival tickets: $125. Concert only: $75. More info: pensacolaopera.com.
MONDE Fashion Event
7 p.m., doors; 7:30 p.m., show; Thursday, Nov. 9. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Creative director Julia Ussery of Scout Boutique, will transform Vinyl Music Hall into an exhilarating spectacle celebrating the world of fashion. All proceeds will benefit AREF. Sponsorships will offer exclusive benefits, including VIP seating, a pre-show party in the new Vinyl garden at 6 p.m. and an after-show party. $75 general admission; $225 VIP. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
Singeasy
7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 through 12. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Back for one week only during the 10th anniversary of Foo Foo Fest, delight in the entertainment of local Pensacola talent, including Bobby Van Dusen, in a candle-lit lounge. The moody, jazz-inspired Singeasy will run for one week within The Clark Family Cultural Center. More info: foofoofest.com.
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FRIDAY
DEPARTURE: The Journey Tribute Band
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday, Nov. 10. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. After 13 years together, DEPARTURE has become the most respected Journey tribute band in the nation. DEPARTURE replicates the look, sound and feel of the original 80’s rock super group. The current lineup has a natural synergy and enthusiasm which has developed into an amazing on-stage chemistry. These veteran musicians pride themselves on giving their audience an incredible high-energy, qualitative stage show from start to finish. $20. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
SATURDAY
Gulf Islands National Seashore Fee Free Day
5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Gulf Islands National Seashore at Fort Pickens, Opal Beach, and Perdido Key. National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide an opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. More info: nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm.
Bourbon, Bacon, & Brews
2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Bourbon, Bacon, & Cigars attendees will have the opportunity to sample different bourbons complemented with optional cigars and bacon. General admission attendees will receive a flight of three bourbons, one craft beer, a serving of bacon, and a cigar. VIP attendees will receive a flight of four premium bourbons, a serving of bacon, and a premium cigar. $25 general admission; $50 VIP. For ages 21 and older. More info: orileyspub.com.
Winter Brewfest
5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. O’Riley’s is hosting its annual Winter Brewfest as a part of Foo Foo Fest 2023. Attendees will be provided with samples from a selection of craft winter-themed beers, including several made in local breweries. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. For ages 21 and older. More info: orileyspub.com.
On Broadway with Megan Hilty: A Broadway Musical Review
7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The Pensacola Civic Band is set to dazzle audiences with "On Broadway with Megan Hilty: A Broadway Musical Review," an event of the 10th annual Pensacola Foo Foo Festival, featuring Broadway star Megan Hilty. Get ready to be swept off your feet as the band takes you on a musical journey through the heart of Broadway. Tickets start at $16. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
Reggaetón Rave
9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Reggaeton Rave is an electrifying fusion of pulsating rhythms, vibrant energy, and an immersive sensory journey where Latinx and electronic music collide in an unforgettable dance celebration. Costs start at $15 for early bird tickets. For ages 18 and older. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
SUNDAY
Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival
11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to spend a Sunday afternoon strolling the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, enjoying the fall air while sampling wines and perusing the works of some of the Gulf Coast’s most talented artists at the 14th annual Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival. The festival brings together dozens of local artists and more than 30 wine selections from three national wine distributors, all in one place. The festival is free, however, to participate in the wine tastings attendees must purchase a ticket and receive a wristband. Wine tastings will begin at 1 p.m. and last until 3 p.m. More info: pensacolabeachchamber.com/art-wine-festival.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: First City Lights; Beach Art & Wine Fest
