Things to do in Pensacola: Holiday Gallery Night; The Nutcracker; Volkswagen Light Parade

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 its 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.

Jingle Jazz

6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Jingle Jazz features Mary Chavez on piano and vocals together with a bevy of local hot-shot jazz players including George Petropoulis, trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals; Bob Maksymkow, sax and clarinet; Jensen Cadenhead, drums; and Steve Douglas on bass. Enjoy some original arrangements of seasonal favorites and new compositions. $10 for members; $12 for nonmembers at the door. More info: jazzpensacola.com.

Monday Night Blues

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. 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.

WEDNESDAY

Cody Canada & The Departed

7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. Wild Greg's Saloon, 22 S. Palafox St. Cody Canada and his band The Departed will perform live in concert. Canada was recently honored with the "Trail Blazer" award at the Texas Country Music Association Awards show. The Oklahoma Pop Museum is also featuring an exhibit on him and his music story. $15 general admission. For ages 18 and older. More info: wildgregssaloon.com.

The Mountain Goats

7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Wednesday, Dec. 13. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. The Mountain Goats, an indie/folk rock band formed in Claremont, California, by singer-songwriter John Darnielle, will perform live in concert. The band is currently based in Durham, North Carolina. The show also features special guest Peter One. $45. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.

THURSDAY

Chef Ed Christmas Pop Up

5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. Sauce Boss Burger Co., 319 N. Tarragona St. The award-winning chef Edward Lordman will be doing a pop up full of elevated Christmas food favorites. Some items featured will be mains such as an elevated burger and a dessert. More info: saucebossburger.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.

Gallery Night

5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. Downtown Pensacola. Gallery Night Pensacola is a nonprofit organization with a dedicated goal of inspiring culture, engagement, and the practice of arts of all types in an entertaining event for all ages and walks of life. These monthly events focus on specific themes, highlight featured artists, and recruit the best creators the area has to offer. This month’s theme is Miracle on Palafox Street. More info: gallerynightpensacola.org.

Inferno Burlesque

7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday, Dec. 15. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Inferno Burlesque is presenting the hottest burlesque show in town featuring burlesque, variety and drag acts from all over the nation. Tickets start at $25. For ages 18 and older. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.

The Nutcracker

7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15 through 17. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The family classic, The Nutcracker, presented by Ballet Pensacola with music by composer Peter Tchaikovsky, tells the story of a young girl, Clara, who together with the Nutcracker Prince, defeats the evil Mouse King. The Sugar Plum fairies host a celebration in their honor. Let your imagination take you along with professional dancers and more than 100 Ballet Pensacola Academy students, who portray characters in this mainstage production accompanied by stunning costumes and lavish set design. Tickets start at $45. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

SATURDAY

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.

Navarre Beach Christmas Market

10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Andy D’s, 8649 Gulf Blvd., Navarre Beach. The Navarre Beach Christmas Market is a festive extravaganza featuring over 20 craft vendors, each offering a unique selection of gifts and goodies. The market also features holiday art, delicious eats, possible Santa sightings, live entertainment, a bounce house, and family fun. There will be free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10 a.m. to noon. More info: getrelaxing.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.

Christmas Volkswagen Light Parade

4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road. Join Coastal County as they host their fourth annual Christmas Volkswagen Light Parade. The Pensacola Volkswagen Happenings Club will be in attendance, decked out in their holiday finest, before continuing on their lighted cruise around town. These cheerfully adorned Volkswagens will be on full display, just waiting to give everyone a good dose of Christmas spirit. Be sure to stick around for live entertain as The Nathan Mulkey Group takes the stage from 6-10 p.m. More info: coastalcountybrewing.com.

White Tie Rock Ensemble

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. The White Tie Rock Ensemble is presenting a family friendly, rocking holiday concert featuring the festive music of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra and other holiday classics. Tickets start at $20. More info: 850-432-0800.

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: Christmas Gallery Night; The Nutcracker