Ten Must-Do Winter Activities
From festive light shows at the Blue Wahoos Stadium to the month-long holiday festivities of Winterfest, Pensacola is one coastal town that knows how to throw a winter celebration you’ll actually want to bundle up for. While the Colorado mountains might seem like a more obvious destination for a winter wonderland, Pensacola offers a different kind of winter escape that’s just as fun as it is memorable. The winter months—especially December—are packed with good vibes, local flavor and festive events that make you forget all about missing the snow. Here are ten must-do activities to check off your winter bucket list before December ends.
1. Check Out the Holiday Lights at Wahoos Winter Nights
Enjoy an all-new holiday experience at Wahoos Winter Nights at the Blue Wahoos Stadium in downtown Pensacola. This festive community attraction features a walk-through light display and immersive light show, along with visits from Santa each night, festive food and drinks, holiday music and a joyful display of community Christmas trees. You can also catch a holiday movie displayed on the outfield video board each Sunday at 6:30 pm. The walk-through holiday light display is open from 6 to 9 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning on December 5, and every day from December 19 through December 23. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased from the Blue Wahoos Stadium box office or online at bluewahoos.com.
2. Snap a Photo with the Grinch at Winterfest
Running through December 24, Pensacola’s beloved Winterfest event series transforms downtown Pensacola into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, live performances, an Elf Parade, festive trolley tours, Santa and a myriad cast of characters. In addition to a month-long lineup of holiday festivities, this annual celebration also offers opportunities to have your photo taken with Santa and the Grinch. You can reserve your photo opp with Santa’s favorite nemesis, who will reluctantly allow you to intrude upon his throne for a group photo with friends or family. You can reserve a time slot for a fabulous photo opp with the Grinch online at pensacolawinterfest.org, or in-person during the event.
3. Attend the Annual Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade
Celebrate the season at the annual Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade on December 13 starting at 5:30 pm in downtown Pensacola. Celebrating its 43rd year, the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade draws more than 50,000 festive spectators to the streets of downtown Pensacola each year. The parade has grown to over 100 entries, 5000 participants, including more than 50 floats, 42 krewes and marching bands from area high schools. The parade also features the nationally renowned Blue Angels flight team and a host of organizations from around the region. For complete details on the 2025 Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade, including a map of the parade route, visit coxpensacolachristmasparade.org.
4. Support WolfGang Pensacola’s Christmas Shelter Gift Drive
Show some love for local shelter pets in need this holiday season by donating an item to WolfGang Pensacola’s annual Christmas Shelter Gift Drive—an effort dedicated to ensuring every animal housed at the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare shelter receives comfort, enrichment and a little holiday magic. WolfGang invites members of the community to participate by dropping off donations at any partnering location now through December 20. This year’s goal is 300 gifts—one for every animal spending the holidays in the shelter. For more information, including a list of partnering drop-off locations, visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com.
5. Enjoy a Movie Showing of Your Favorite Holiday Classic at The Burrow
Watch your favorite holiday movie under the stars at The Burrow at one of their upcoming Holiday Movie Nights. Hosted on Friday nights at 6 pm in the biergarten throughout the month of December, this family-friendly event series is free and open to the public. Upcoming movie showings include Home Alone on December 6, The Grinch on December 12 and A Christmas Story on December 19. The burrow is located at 1010 N. 12th Ave. in East Hill. For more information on upcoming movie showings, follow The Burrow on Facebook.
6. Attend the Holiday Drag Show at the Saenger
If holidays are a time when we decorate everything with sparkles and shine then there’s no better way to celebrate than with some sparkling drag divas. For the first time ever, the longest running drag tour in America will glitter the stage at the Pensacola Saenger for A Drag Queen Christmas on December 23. Guests will experience a fabulous remix of classic Christmas hits, dazzling themed variety performances and interactive moments to share your Christmas cheer for the most magical time of the year. Attendees 18+ can expect a fabulous remix of classic Christmas hits, dazzling themed variety performances and interactive moments to share your Christmas cheer for the most magical time of the year. Discover more at pensacolasaenger.com.
7. Snag a Unique Local Find at the Palafox Holiday Market
We all have that one person we struggle to buy a present for–and maybe it’s yourself! Don’t worry, a special holiday edition of Palafox Market has arrived with a vast collection of wares. So let the glow of holiday lights and live music inspire you, take to the stalls and peruse until you find the gift that is just right. Even better–you’ll find gift wrapping stations to help send off the present in a cute package. Don’t forget to celebrate your find with some of the seasonal food and drink offerings too. This unique edition of Palafox Market runs every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm and ends December 17. For more, check out Palafox Market on Facebook or Instagram.
8. Catch a performance of The Nutcracker or PSO’s annual Celebrate the New Year Concert
Someone in your life doesn’t know the Rat Pack, or heard of young Clara’s journey through the Land of Sweets with her toy companion? There’s no better time to expose them to a new holiday tradition. Ballet Pensacola takes the stage December 19 to December 21 with their rendition of the holiday classic: The Nutcracker, bringing you on a magical adventure culminating in the battle with the Mouse King. Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s Conductor Peter Rubardt and returning vocalist Michael Andrew will ferry you to 2026 on a tide of musical notes, featuring all-time favorites like Come Fly With Me, Ain’t That a Kick in The Head and more on December 31. Reserve your seats at balletpensacola.org or pensacolasymphony.com.
9. Go Ice Skating at the Pensacola Bay Center
For Pensacola natives who rarely see snow, the opportunity to don ice blades and go for a glide was almost a far-off dream until Pensacola Bay Center announced its signature Ice Flyers ice rink would be open for public sessions. Ice skating sessions last about an hour on weekends after Pensacola Ice Flyers home games, so enjoy a merry time that bestows a true winter experience while the season lasts. Rink capacity is limited so be sure to buy your tickets in advance at pensacolabaycenter.com.
10. Ring in the New Year with Fireworks or a Sober Cruise on Pensacola Beach
Maybe you’re over the traditional new year’s party scene or looking for a more family-friendly way to send off 2025. You can still cruise into 2026 with a bang! Head out to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk with family and friends to watch over the Santa Rosa Sound as the free fireworks display sparks up at midnight. Behind Shaggy’s on Pensacola Beach, Frisky Mermaid Tours & Rentals also offers a Sober Cruise where you can still enjoy a good time minus the imbibes. Arguably the best part? You’ll get a front-row seat to the fireworks show over the water. For more details go to visitpensacola.com.