Things to do in Pensacola: Winterfest; Mannheim Steamroller Christmas; Food Truck Fest
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.
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.
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13. 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.
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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.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for over 35 years. Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound. The program includes dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. Tickets start at $65. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
Runge Strings Orchestra
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14. UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway. The University of West Florida Dr. Grier Williams School of Music will present the Runge Strings Orchestra in concert. The featured piece for this performance will be Antonio Vivaldi’s Double Concerto in A minor, RV 522. Additionally, the performance will include pieces by William Grant Still, the Dean of African-American Composers, who made history as the first black composer featured by a professional orchestra. The performance will also showcase works by Joseph Haydn. Free, but tickets are required. More info: uwf.edu/cfpa.
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.
Angelena’s Supper Club: Champagne Dinner
6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. Angelena's Ristorante Italiano, 101 E. Intendencia St. The most elegant and iconic sparkler in the world represents celebration, luxury and fun. Although the Angelena’s wine list is all-Italian, there has always been room for a small, select group of premiere champagnes. Chef James Briscione and Parhurst will work closely with Michael Fix, Winebow’s lead luxury wine specialist, to lead guests through a luxury champagne tasting and dinner. $255. More info: angelenaspensacola.com.
Soul Asylum & Drivin N Cryin
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Thursday, Nov. 16. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum selling rock band Soul Asylum started as Minneapolis’ punk younger brothers to the Replacements and Husker Dü.Their 1992 breakthrough album, Grave Dancers Union, featured the international hits “Runaway Train,” “Black Gold” and “Somebody to Shove.” Celebrating their 35th anniversary, Atlanta-based folk rock act, Drivin N Cryin gained attention for their blistering live shows, and amassed a rabid fanbase in the fertile soil of the late-1980s Southeast music scene. $30. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
Jim Breuer: Survival With Laughter
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. One of Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Standups of All Time,” SNL alum Jim Breuer is hotter than ever, a global touring sensation and regular presence on radio and television. His Comedy Central specials such as “Hardcore” and “Let’s Clear The Air” are some of the highest-rated in the network’s history and his “And Laughter For All” on EPIX was the highest-rated original comedy special on EPIX to date, earning its spot as a family favorite for its relatable and multi-generational humor. Tickets start at $40. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.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.
Gallery Night
5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. 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 Give the Gift of Art. More info: gallerynightpensacola.org.
Big Deal Burlesque
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday, Nov. 17. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. New Orleans’ Original Touring Show, Big Deal Burlesque, celebrates 12 years of hitting the road and taking it off. Catch their much-anticipated return to Vinyl Music Hall with a night of comedy, sideshows and burlesque by the best in the business. Tickets start at $25. For ages 18 and older. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
Miss Snowball Derby 2023
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. One of the traditions of the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway is the Miss Snowball Derby Pageant which takes place each year leading up to the big race. This year’s pageant holds extra meaning as Five Flags Speedway celebrates the 53rd anniversary of the most prestigious Super Late Model race in the country. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
A Swingin’ Christmas
7 p.m., doors; 7:30 p.m., show; Friday, Nov. 17. Gulf Coast Chorale’s fall show A Swingin’ Christmas will feature iconic holiday music with fresh and familiar arrangements that will both delight and provide a lot of toe-tapping moments for the audience. There will be incredible music from all different genres, fabulous musicians, and a lot of special surprises. $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under in advance; $15 at the door. More info: gulfcoastchorale.org.
SATURDAY
Santa Rosa Creek Band Creek Festival
9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18 and 19. The Tribal Grounds, 4750 Willard Norris Road, Milton. The Creek Festival will include Pow Wow Drum by Drum of the Red Boys Drum Group, Pow Wow style dancing, traditional Creek Stomp dancing, living Creek Village, guided tours, re-enactment of the Battle of Chumuckla, traditional Creek food cooking demonstrations, a variety of traditional Creek foods including Indian roasted corn and fry bread, authentic hunting camp, weapons demonstrations, hands-on crafts for the children, and contemporary food and drink. $5 for adults; free for ages younger than 7. More info: santarosacreekband.org.
Pensacola Fall Food Truck Fest
11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. The Fall Food Truck Fest features numerous food trucks, tent/craft vendors, live music, and a bounce house and culinary. Tempt your taste buds and come hungry as the family-friendly event also features a food truck tasting competition. Live music will be provided by Christina Crystal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tommy Mazzullo Music from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. $5. Free for ages 12 and younger. More info: apexshowsandevents.com.
Oyster Bash
2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Sir Richard’s Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Sir Richard’s Public House will host an Oyster Bash where customers will have a choice of two styles of oysters. They can purchase a half-dozen order of oysters for market price. Customers can choose either raw oysters or oysters Grilled Rockefeller style. The featured cocktail for the event will be the Jalapeno Honey Lemonade. For ages 21 and older. More info: sirrichardslounge.com.
Bike Pensacola’s Slow Ride
3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Admiral Mason Park, 200 South Ninth 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.
Hollywood Murder Mystery Dinner Show
6 p.m., doors; 7 p.m., show; Saturday, Nov. 18. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. You are on set with Max Moon’s film company, Insanity Pictures, and he is grossly over budget on his latest film: TOR-nado (the gripping story of scientifically engineered mutant tortoises that get sucked up into a freak hurricane off the coast of Pensacola, and then wreak havoc across the Midwest). When something goes terribly wrong on set, it will be up to Detective Gunn and the audience to figure out “who done it”? $65. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez - A Merry-Achi Christmas
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Latin Grammy nominees Maestro José Hernández and his world-renowned Mariachi Sol de México are set to perform their Merry Achi Christmas holiday tour. The program showcases the ensemble’s musicianship, playing mariachi favorites as well as the most well-known and beloved Christmas music such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, performed mariachi-style by one of the most critically acclaimed mariachis. Tickets start at $32. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
SUNDAY
Miracle on Palafox 2023
7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The Miracle on Palafox tradition continues this year for Cat Country 98.7's Christmas Wishes, who is assisting the United Way of West Florida in helping needy children have toys under their Christmas tree. The United Way says there will likely be a large number of kids in need, but there are fewer organizations that are able to help. This year at Cat Country's 98.7's Miracle on Palafox, Brian Kelley, Kimberly Perry, and Tigirlily Gold have all agreed to come to Pensacola and donate their talent for the show. All proceeds benefit Christmas Wishes. Tickets: $9.87. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: Winterfest; Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
