Looking forward to 2024: Here are Pensacola's biggest events of the year
The new year has arrived, so we thought it would be a great time to look ahead and see what the biggest events in Pensacola will be in 2024 – so far.
Not every event listed has an announced date just yet, so check back for updates.
Gallery Night
When: The third Friday of every month
Where: Downtown Pensacola
Gallery Night is a monthly event that brings art to the streets of Palafox. Every third Friday, Palafox Street is closed to traffic between Garden and Main streets. Local vendors, artists, performers, food trucks and more set up booths along the street as people peruse the sights and sounds. Each month has a special theme, like Lunar New Year in January, Pensacon in February and so on. Gallery Night Pensacola is currently taking public input on themes for 2024. You can provide yours here.
2024 Pensacola Chocolate and Cheese Fest
When: Feb. 18, 2024
Where: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.
The second annual Pensacola Chocolate and Cheese Fest brings vendors selling unique chocolate and cheese themed items to Pensacola in February. There are adult beverages like chocolate martinis, contests, a free chocolate and cheese sampling tent, live music, activities for kids and more.
Pensacon
When: Feb. 23-25, 2024
Where: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E Gregory St. and throughout downtown Pensacola
Pensacon is Pensacola’s all-inclusive pop culture convention that invites fans and celebrities to celebrate fandoms ranging from video games and comic books to wrestling and movies. It was founded in 2013 and held its first event in 2014, which drew around 11,000 fans. In 2021, the event drew in over 30,000. The convention is comprised of panels, cosplay contests, themed runs, workshops and more.
The 2024 event is scheduled for Feb. 23-25. Tickets are on sale now. Three-day passes are $89.99 and VIP tickets are $194.99, plus tax and fees.
Mardi Gras
When: February
Where: Various locations
When it comes to Mardi Gras, Pensacola goes big. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone since Pensacola is one of the cities where Mardi Gras was first celebrated in the United States. There are a handful of events that define local celebrations; here’s a quick look at what’s to come:
Jan. 6 — Publix Pensacola Mardi Gras kickoff celebration
Jan. 20 — Ice Flyers Mardi Gras Night
Jan. 20 — Kids and Kritters Mardi Gras Parade
Jan. 27 — Milton Parade
Feb. 3 — Navarre Parade
Feb. 9 — Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade
Feb. 10 — Publix Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade
Feb. 11 — Krewe of Wrecks Parade
Feb. 13 — Publix Fat Tuesday Celebration
Flo Rida at Mardi Gras: Flo Rida headlines Pensacola Mardi Gras Mambo at Pensacola Bay Center
Pensacola VegFest 2024
When: March 23, 2024
Where: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.
Pensacola VegFest is a festival that celebrates compassionate living. It features plant-based, cruelty-free foods, eco-friendly vendors, vegan artisans and more.
McGuire’s 5K Prediction Run
When: March 2024
Where: McGuire’s, 600 E. Gregory St.
With more than 16,000 participants, the McGuire's 5K is Pensacola's largest run and the nation's largest prediction run. Awards are given to the fastest as well as the most accurate in predicting the time it will take them to complete the 3.1-mile course. Participants must be able to run or walk the course in under one hour, as it will open to traffic at 10 a.m. Stragglers will be picked up by McGuire’s bus.
Bands on the Beach
When: Every Tuesday from April to October
Where: Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach's popular outdoor concert series Bands on the Beach will return in April, featuring diverse bands and performances for every musical taste. Presented by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, the free, weekly concerts are held every Tuesday night through Oct. 31 from 7-9 p.m. at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Pensacola Crawfish Festival
When: April 26-28, 2024
Where: Seville Square and Fountain Park, 311 E. Government St.
The Pensacola Crawfish Festival features thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish, fresh from Louisiana, brought to attendees by Pensacola's own Cordova Crawfish Company. Cajun fare features include boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, and gumbo. Traditional festival options and dessert are also available.
Interstate Mullet Toss
When: April 26-28, 2024
Where: Flora-Bama Lounge, 17401 Perdido Key Drive
What started as just a reason to party has become one of the biggest beach parties on the coast. Those who participate in the Mullet Toss will throw a dead mullet over the state line of Florida and Alabama to see who gets the farthest. People travel from across the globe to see what all the fuss is about. Details and ticket info: florabama.com/mullet-toss.
Blue Angels Air Shows
When: July 13 at Pensacola Beach, Nov. 2-3 at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Where: Pensacola Beach and Naval Air Station Pensacola
Pensacola is lucky enough to host the Blue Angels for not just one, but two air shows throughout the year. The first show happens at Pensacola Beach around Independence Day. The Blue Angels host a dress rehearsal Friday with the aerobatic acts beginning just after 11 a.m. and the Blue Angels overhead at 2 p.m. Saturday marks the official air show, which follows exactly Friday’s dress rehearsal schedule.
The homecoming air show plays out much in the same way, but is held onboard NAS Pensacola. In addition to the Blues, there are a host of world-class military, aerobatic and stunt plane performers, as well as interactive exhibits, military recruitment stations and all types of vendors at both events.
Pensacola Seafood Festival
When: Sept. 27-29, 2024
Where: Seville Square and Fountain Park, 311 E. Government St.
Similar to the Pensacola Crawfish Festival, the Pensacola Seafood Festival allows you to savor delicious seafood, enjoy music and take in historic downtown Pensacola. It’s one of the area’s largest arts and crafts fair, too, with more than 150 artisans who travel from around the country to participate.
Pensacola Interstate Fair
When: Oct. 17-27, 2024
Where: 6655 Mobile Highway
The Pensacola Interstate Fair offers 11 days of rides, food, fun, music and gaming for families looking for exciting things to do on a budget. The fair also offers options to save money with Dollar Day on opening day Thursday, Midnight Madness Friday specials, and advance Super Saver discount ride wristbands and half-price admission tickets. In addition, there will be discounted special admission days, free events and concerts so attendees can join in all the magic and fun. Tickets and more info: pensacolafair.com.
Danetoberfest
When: October
Where: Seville Square
Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue’s lovable, gentle giants are back to take over Seville Square during the annual Danetoberfest celebration and fundraising event. The event features dozens of vendors selling a variety of arts and crafts including drawings and paintings, customized collars and dog beds, baked goodies for people and pets, and colorful candles and soaps. The event also features a photo booth set up, dog training demonstrations and a foam-ball pit for the pups to play in. In addition, there will be several food vendors on site.
Barktoberfest
When: October
Where: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.
Pensacola Humane Society hosts the area’s favorite annual pet-friendly festival and mega adoption event, Barktoberfest, at Community Maritime Park. There will be food, beverages, a variety of contests including costume contests and a whipped pie eating contest.
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
When: Nov. 1-3, 2024
Where: Seville Square, 311 E. Government St.
The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is one of Pensacola’s biggest events of the year. It’s located in Downtown Pensacola’s Historic Seville Square.
Art is the festival’s biggest draw, showcasing more than 200 painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists and more from around the nation. Live woodcarving, engraving, spinning and other demonstrations can be found in the Heritage Arts Area.
The festival teams up with the Artel Gallery to provide a grant opportunity for two emerging artists. And there is a Student Art Show that showcases over 2,000 pieces of art from local elementary, middle and high school students.
Live music can be heard from the main stage and includes everything from bluegrass, Cajun and blues to jazz and classical. And, of course, there is plenty of food to be had from multiple vendors and surrounding local restaurants.
EntreCon 2024
When: Nov. 13-14, 2024
Where: Throughout Downtown Pensacola
EntreCon is a local conference for entrepreneurs founded in 2015 by SCI founder Quint Studer with the vision to bring a high-end conference for business owners at an affordable price to the Gulf Coast. The two-day conference focuses on building up a community like-minded individuals across a spectrum of industries to help grow together in Pensacola.
The Pensacola Foo Foo Festival
When: November, 2024
Where: Multiple locations
Foo Foo Fest is a 12-day celebration each fall with culturally creative happenings, events and moments under one banner, attracting visitors to Pensacola. 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 Beach Art & Wine Festival
When: November 2024
Where: Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
Sip, stroll and shop your way around the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk when it turns into an artist and wine lover’s paradise. The festival brings together about 25 to 30 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 festivalgoers must purchase a ticket and receive a wristband.
Pensacola EggFest
When: November 2024
Where: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St.
Pensacola EggFest hosts barbecue teams and backyard cooks from all over the United States who share two things: a love of cooking and the joy of giving back to their communities. Since 2013, over $500,000 has been donated to local charities including Rally Pensacola, Manna Food Pantry and Studer Community Institute. The 2024 date hasn't been announced yet.
38th annual Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival
When: November 2024
Where: Multiple locations
The Songwriters’ Fest will feature nationally acclaimed songwriters in venues along the Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast. This 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. More info: frankbrownsongwriters.com/.
Pensacola Winterfest
When: Various times through Dec. 24
Where: Downtown Pensacola
Downtown comes alive with song and dance, arts and crafts during the holidays with Winterfest. Attendees can enjoy Photos with Santa, Photos with the Grinch, the Polar Express Tour, Grinch Tour, Cajun Christmas and Scrooge Tour. More info and tickets: pensacolawinterfest.org.
Sports
Pensacola Ice Flyers — Batman Night
When: Jan. 19, 2024
Where: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.
Help the Ice Flyers defend Gotham against the Huntsville Havoc with a night featuring Batman themed experiences, games, and specialty jerseys celebrating the iconic superhero.
Pensacola Ice Flyers — Mardi Gras Night
When: Jan. 20, 2024
Where: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.
Kick off the Mardi Gras season with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. The night will feature on-ice parades, costume competitions, specialty jerseys and more. Grab your beads and your krewe for a fun night at the Hangar.
Pensacola Ice Flyers — 15th Anniversary Celebration + $5 Night
When: Feb. 2-3, 2024
Where: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.
Join the Ice Flyers in celebrating 15 years as a part of the Pensacola community. Fans old and new will be able to purchase $5 tickets (excluding glass) and learn about the rich history of the Ice Flyers.
Sun Belt Men’s and Women’s Basketball Conference Championships
When: March 5-11, 2024
Where: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.
Division I basketball has landed in Pensacola. The men's and women’s Sun Belt Basketball Championship Tournament will be at the Pensacola Bay Center. For one week, watch some of the best athletes in college basketball face off for their chance to win big and to make it to the 2024 NCAA Division I Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament. Throughout the week, enjoy high-action games, entertainment from team bands and cheer squads, Fan Fest, a dribble drive and more.
Harlem Globetrotters
When: April 23, 2024
Where: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.
The Harlem Globetrotters 2024 World Tour presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs is coming with game like never before. Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism, and a non-stop good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals, who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola's biggest events in 2024: Pensacon, Blue Angels, Mardi Gras
