Things to do in Pensacola: Surfing Santa Beach Parade; Lighted Boat Parade; Messiah
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.
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27. 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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WEDNESDAY
Baroque and Beyond
Noon Wednesday, Nov. 29. Old Christ Church, 405 S. Adams St. The UWF Chamber Music Series continues its 17th season with a concert featuring performances by members of the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music programs. The UWF Chamber Music class members will celebrate the holiday season with the music of Schubert, Gluck, Mozart, Liszt, William Still, Chopin, Andrew L. Webber and others. The program also includes traditional Christmas songs and popular melodies. Free. More info: 850-474-2147.
THURSDAY
Marauda
7 p.m., show; 8 p.m., doors; Thursday, Nov. 30. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Hamish Prasad, professionally known as Marauda, is a Sydney based producer who has taken the world by storm with his gut wrenching and provocative noise which summons a darkness within the souls of his listeners. Marauda continues to inspire awe within the EDM world, breaking the constraints of the norm. $25. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.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.
Milton Winterfest Arts and Crafts Fair
11 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 6849 Oak St., Milton. Celebrate the Christmas season and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts at St. Mary’s annual Winterfest Arts and Crafts Fair. Shop for handmade crafts, custom jewelry, artwork, woodcrafts, candles and other creative handiwork as well as direct sales products and services. There also will be a drawing for a beautiful handmade quilt. Tours of the historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will be given throughout both event days. More info: stmarysmiltonflorida@gmail.com.
O’Riley’s Irish Pub Santacon
5 p.m. Friday (VIP Pregame), 6 p.m. Saturday (main pub crawl) and 10 a.m. Sunday (brunch), Dec. 1 through 3. O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. O’Riley’s Irish Pub hosts its annual Santacon to benefit the nonprofit organizations Toys For Tots, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The event will have two tiers of donations with different benefits for each tier. General admission will require a donation of an unwrapped toy or a minimum donation of $10. The VIP tier will require a donation of $35. More info: orileyspub.com/santa-pub-crawl.
Hot Glass Cold Brew: Holiday Pajama Party
6 p.m., general admission, Friday, Dec. 1. First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. Don your most festive – and comfiest – holiday attire and join the First City Art Center for a good ol’ fashioned pajama party, Hot Glass Cold Brew style. Entertainment for the evening includes glass blowing and pottery demonstrations, live music, an art market, kids activities, a gallery opening showcasing works from FCAC’s Gallery 1060 artists, and more. The collectible glasses and cups are limited. Cups are first come, first served. $25 for members; $35 for non-members. More info: firstcityart.org.
Mo Alexander
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday, Dec. 1. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Mo Alexander began his professional full-time comedy career in July 1996 featuring in clubs throughout the United States and by 1999 he was headlining. Mo has also toured with Keenan Ivory Wayans as his opening act, made an appearance in Bret Michael’s film, "A Letter from Death Row," as well as being given his own Las Vegas show, “The Mo Funny Show” at the Casino Royale. Tickets start at $20. For ages 18 and older. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
Christmas Messiah
7:30 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2. Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St. Welcome the holidays with selections from Handel’s beloved masterwork, Christmas Messiah. The program includes arrangements of “Joy to the World,” “Still, Still, Still,” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” as well as Jennifer Higdon’s ethereal “O Magnum Mysterium.” The concert features a 100-voice chorus and chamber orchestra conducted by artistic director Peter Steenblik. In addition, it showcases four of Pensacola Opera’s Jan Miller Studio Artists as soloists, soprano Nicole Heinen, Mezzo-soprano Alexandra Sanchez, baritone Bernardo Medeiros, and tenor Randy Ho. More info: choralsocietyofpensacola.org.
Sex N' The City A (Super Unauthorized) Musical Parody
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Sex n’ the City tackles serious questions like “Will I ever find the one?,” “Can you ever really be over your ex?” and “For the third time, it’s a neck massager!" Join Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha on a hilarious trip through New York in the '90s. Tickets start at $52. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
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SATURDAY
Holiday Market
10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. Come get your holiday shopping done early at the Holiday Market featuring numerous tent/craft vendors, food trucks, a bounce house and a raffle table. There will be a DJ playing holiday music all day. $5 entry; free for kids age 12 and younger. More info: apexshowsandevents.com.
Jingle Bells on the Bay Indoor Holiday Market
10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 South I St. The second annual Jingle Bells on the Bay Indoor Holiday Market features a variety of unique items from local vendors, pictures with Santa, food trucks, and an on-site dog adoption event hosted by Amazing Grace Bully Rescue. More info: hhellrich@cityofpensacola.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.
American Legion Post Pig Roast Benefit
Noon Saturday, Dec. 2. American Legion Post 378, 2712 Gulf Breeze Parkway. American Legion Post 378’s Pig Roast Benefit promises an afternoon of lively entertainment, delicious food, and community spirit, all in support of the Post's building fund. The Post plays a vital role in the community, and this fundraiser will contribute to securing a space where they can continue their mission of service and camaraderie. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. More info: darraflanagan@gmail.com.
A Christmas Carol
3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Rex Theater, 18 N. Palafox St. The award-winning producers of “The Hiding Place” are presenting all the Christmas warmth and magic of Dicken's timeless classic in this live theatrical performance. Share the mystery excitement and joy with those you love. More info: shininglightplayers.com.
Pensacola Beach Lighted Boat Parade
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Sabine Marina, 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. The Pensacola Beach Lighted Boat Parade will set sail from Sabine Marina and loop around the Santa Rosa Sound to end at the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk where it will dock about 7:30 p.m. Directly following the boat parade, Santa will make his way onto the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk for pictures in Santa's Sleigh. Spectators can watch the parade from the shorelines of Little Sabine, Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Beach Boardwalk or any of the businesses along the route. More info: penbeach@visitpensacolabeach.com.
Steeln' Peaches
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Saturday, Dec. 2. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Enjoy an evening with Steeln' Peaches: A Rock N Roll Revue celebrating the music of the Allman Brothers Band. Tickets start at $20. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
The Prophecy Show - the Music of Trans Siberian Orchestra
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The Prophecy is launching its 17th touring season of an extravagant Christmas musical production. This powerhouse group of classically trained musicians come together to create nothing short of an electrifying evening of holiday rock music. Performing in the style of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Prophecy Show has spared no details when it comes to the costumes, choreography, music, lasers, and fog. Tickets start at $55. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
SUNDAY
Surfing Santa Beach Parade
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Avenida 10 and Via de Luna, next to Springhill Suites, Pensacola Beach. Thousands of children, parents and spectators come out to see Santa Claus on Pensacola Beach. The annual Surfin' Santa Beach Parade starts at Avenida 10 and makes its way down Via De Luna toward Casino Beach, ending at the Gulfside Pavilion. Ribbons will be awarded to the top three "Best Decorated" floats. More info: jessica@visitpensacolabeach.com.
The Wood Brothers
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Sunday, Dec. 3. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. The Wood Brothers have learned to trust their hearts. For the better part of two decades, they've cemented their reputation as free thinking songwriters, road warriors, and community builders, creating a catalog of diverse music and a loyal audience who’ve grown alongside them through the years. $31. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: Surfing Santa Beach Parade; Boat Parade
