March events in Pensacola: Here's 25 fun things to do this month
The calendar says it's still winter for a few more weeks, but the Florida weather begs to differ. So, if you're looking for ways to get out and enjoy these warming temperatures, you've come to the right place.
Keep reading to discover over 30 things you can do in March to make the most of the month.
FOOD & DRINK
Whole hog roast & toast
When: 6-8 p.m., March 9
Where: The Bottle Shop, 120 S. Baylen St.
The Courtyard at the Bottle Shop offers guests a serene setting to meet with Senior Winemaker Jon Priest and taste a selection of wines from Etude Winery. The event is complete with delectable smoky dishes crafted by chef Jason Perry and his team from The Wine Bar.
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Attendees can indulge in three appetizer stations while they roam the courtyard and sample various wines. A main course of whole roasted hog and other dishes will be served family-style on long tables.
Tickets for the event are $75 per person, and seating is limited. Attendees will receive discounts on Etude wines during the event. The event will take place outside, weather permitting.
Purchase tickets here: https://bit.ly/3FhVDuT.
Coastal County Brewing Company St. Patrick’s Party
When: Noon, March 11
Where: Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road
Coastal County Brewing Company is hosting its third annual St. Patrick's Party. The event will take place right after the McGuire's Prediction Run, providing a fun after-party for the participants.
The event is open to all, with plenty of family-friendly activities planned throughout the day. The Tap Wall will feature house favorites alongside special recipes brewed specifically for the occasion, such as the Irish Car Bomb Stout and Irish Coffee Nitro Brown Ale. The craft kitchen will also offer Irish food specials to complement the brews.
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Live music will be provided by local artists on the beer garden stage throughout the day. A bounce house will be set up to keep the kids entertained while the adults enjoy the festivities. The staff will be on hand to provide food and drinks, ensuring that guests have a great time celebrating well into the evening.
Attendees are encouraged to wear green and join in the St. Patrick's Day fun at Coastal County Brewing Company.
St. Patrick’s Day Party
When: 10 a.m., March 17
Where: O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown, 321 S. Palafox St.
O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown is opening early March 17 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all day. Jay Moody will play live Irish music from noon to 4 p.m. O’Riley’s will be serving green beer, corned beef and cabbage throughout the day. There will be games and a Gallery Night block party.
Coastal County Brewing Company third annual Weird Beer Fest
When: 2-6 p.m., March 18
Where: Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road
Coastal County Brewing Company is gearing up to celebrate its third anniversary with the Coastal County Weird Beer Fest on March 18. The event promises to be the brewery's biggest and best birthday bash yet with 75 of its own unique specialty brews and some friends from various local breweries showcasing their special flavors at the beer garden party.
General admission tickets will offer all-you-can-drink access to every featured specialty from every brewer from 2-6 p.m. Those who wish to upgrade to the VIP experience will enjoy early 1 p.m. access, an extra hour of sampling, a free meal of their choice from the CCB craft kitchen, a specialty taster glass to keep as a souvenir, various beer swag party favors and five free raffle tickets for the Anniversary Year of Free Beer drawing at 5 p.m. on the CCB Stage.
Both tickets can be purchased at coastalcountybrewing.com/shop/ and will be available at will call upon entry to the festivities.
General admission is $50 per person, while V.I.P. admission is $75 per person. The event will also feature live music from local musicians, five food trucks with a wide variety of amazing local cuisine, shaded outdoor seating, a bounce house for children, fun games and entertainment options and even local aerial acrobats ready to dazzle with their specialty skills. Free parking will be available on-site, as well as three extra overflow parking lots located within one block of the property.
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Tropical Tiki in the biergarten
When: 3-10 p.m., March 18
Where: Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.
Grab your hula skirts and Hawaiian shirts and get ready to head on over to Gary’s first luau of 2023. The Island Brothers will perform live from 5-8 p.m. and the My Ohana Hawaiian Food truck will serve food from 3-9 p.m.
Pensacola Vegfest 2023
When: 11 a.m., March 25
Where: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.
The fifth annual vegan food festival is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Community Maritime Park on March 25. Attendees can enjoy the scenic views of the bay and bask in the sunshine while indulging in vegan food, perusing the works of local artists, enjoying live music and other activities.
Annual Crawfish & Bluegrass Jamboree
When: Noon to 4 p.m., March 26
Where: Odd Colony Brewing Co., 260 N. Palafox St.
It's that time of year again, y'all! Come eat some crawfish and listen to some bluegrass while sipping on lagerbier. Cub's Crawfish will be boiling up and serving crawfish, corn and potatoes from noon to 4 p.m. Live music from the The String Farm Band will be available from 1-4 p.m.
Halfway to Oktoberfest
When: 5-9 p.m., March 31
Where: Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.
Celebrate “Halfway to Oktoberfest", an event dedicated to the midway point to Gary’s largest event of the year. Enjoy German beers, Hip Pocket Deli food truck, keg tossing, stein-hoisting, German music, snow cones and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in lederhosen or dirndls if they have them.
EVENTS
Friending at Emerald Republic Brewing
When: 7-10 p.m., March 9
Where: Emerald Republic Brewing, 1414 W. Government St.
Emerald Republic invites everyone to gather for a night of making new friends with the understanding that getting ‘friend-zoned’ is the plan. The event encourages face-to-face interactions with the aid of prompts and envelopes while enjoying the company of new faces. Sign-up begins at 6:30 p.m., with rounds scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Food is available from A Rusty Spoon located outside.
McGuire’s 46th annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K run
When: 9 a.m., March 11
Where: McGuire’s Irish Pub, 600 E. Gregory St.
The 46th Annual McGuire's St. Patrick's Day Prediction 5K Run will be held on March 11 at 9 a.m. at McGuire's Irish Pub in downtown Pensacola. The event is open to both runners and walkers who can complete the 5K certified course (3.1 miles) in under one hour.
Registration fees are $45 online at mcguiresirishpub.com or $50 on race day (registration closes at 8 a.m.). Packet pickup and late registration will be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 10 and from 6:30-8 a.m. on March 11.
Prediction awards will be given to the first five men and women in each age group who finish closest to their actual predicted times. Age groups include men and women ages 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70+. Best costume awards will be given to individuals, teams and the sharpest military formation.
Speed awards will be given to the first 10 men and women in the open category (39 and under), the first five men and women in the masters' category (40 to 49), the first five males and females in the grandmasters' category (50 to 59), and the first five men and women in the great grandmasters' category (60+). Trophies will also be awarded to the first three teams in each division (men, women and military) with a team consisting of at least five but no more than seven runners.
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The post-race party will include a pre-race breakfast with bagels, juice, fruit, donuts and coffee, as well as a huge post-race party featuring Rich McDuff's Irish sing along, coffee, Irish fare, Irish wakes, Bud Light, McGuire's Red and soft drinks. Refreshments are for registered runners only. Participants must display their race number to be served. Participants must be 21 or older and have a "Party Wristband" or present proper ID to consume alcoholic beverages.
Please note that strollers, skates and bicycles are not allowed on the course, and no dogs are allowed per city ordinance. Interested individuals can register online and sign up to receive email and/or text alerts regarding race details and results.
Coastal County Brewing Company banquet and event hall grand opening
When: 6-9 p.m., March 13
Where: Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road
Coastal County Brewing Company invites you to the grand opening celebration of its new, private event space and banquet hall. The event will feature a live performance by the Bay Kings Band and local vendors ready to cater to your event needs. Located next to the brewery and beer garden, the new space includes a bar, wine cooler, sound system, private bathroom, parking and outdoor courtyard, making it the perfect venue for intimate events such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries.
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Movie Night at the Republic: Howl’s Moving Castle
When: 6-9 p.m., March 16
Where: Emerald Republic Brewing, 1414 W. Government St.
Emerald Republic Brewing Company is hosting its first movie night. The brewery will be showing Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle. A Rustyc Spoon food truck will also be on site with a special ramen menu.
Kites on the Coast 2023
When: 4-10 p.m., March 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 18
Where: Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach
The Council on Aging of West Florida is hosting its second annual Kites on the Coast event, a two-day intergenerational celebration of kite flying, at Casino Beach in Pensacola. Local vendors, food trucks and activities will be available for attendees to enjoy.
There will be professional kite flying demonstrations from Chicago Kite and SkyFX, as well as a lighted night fly, a kite hospital and kites available for purchase on site.
All event donations and sponsorships will go towards supporting the seniors and programs served by the Council on Aging. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own kites to fly as well.
ART
Blow your own pint glass
When: 2 p.m., March 25
Where: Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.
Muffinjaw Designs is offering a unique opportunity to blow your own glass masterpiece in the Biergarten at Gary's Brewery. Food will be available from the brewpub kitchen from noon to 9 p.m. and the Thai 2 Go food truck will offer their delicious cuisine from 5-9 p.m. Live music will start at 6 p.m.
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LIVE MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES
Jazz Night at Odd Colony
When: 6:30-9 p.m., March 6
Where: Odd Colony Brewing Company, 260 N. Palafox St.
Jazz Pensacola is hosting March Jazz Jam at Odd Colony on March 6. Featuring the house band, Jazz Jam is strictly for fun, an opportunity to play jazz with other musicians. Drummers, please bring your own sticks/brushes. Vocalists, bring your mic. The house band is Roger Villines on trumpet and flugelhorn, Andrew Gregg on keyboard, Steve Douglas on bass and Jimmy Roebuck on drums.
5th annual "I Sang Karaoke After The McGuire's Run!”
When: After the McGuire’s Run on March 11
Where: Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St.
Come join in the fun at the fifth annual "I Sang Karaoke After The McGuire's Run!" event. The event will include live music from DJ HDYCVT, food specials from The Well and a collaboration with Sauce Boss Burger Co. In addition, there will be karaoke, drink specials, prizes and giveaways. The festivities will continue all day long, so attendees are encouraged to come out and enjoy the celebration.
The Addams Family
When: March 17-April 2; 7:30 p.m. for Thursday-Saturday shows; 2:30 p.m. for Sunday shows
Where: Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St.
An upcoming comical feast brings to light the quirkiness present in every family with an original story that follows Wednesday Addams, the quintessential princess of darkness, as she matures and falls in love with a respectable, intelligent young man from a well-to-do family, whom her parents have never met.
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Adding to the complexity of the situation, Wednesday pleads with her father to keep her relationship a secret from her mother. Thus, Gomez Addams must venture into unfamiliar territory and keep a secret from his cherished wife, Morticia.
The entire family dynamic will shift drastically on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents.
Tickets start at $17, with discounts for students, military, seniors and half-price seats on Thursdays. Purchase tickets here: https://bit.ly/3EWw42a.
Pepper at Vinyl Music Hall
When: 7 p.m., March 21
Where: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St.
Pepper is coming to Vinyl Music Hall on March 21. This is a general admission show, standing room only, and is open to all ages. People under 21 must pay an additional $5 surcharge at the door. General admission tickets are $25 plus tax and service fee.
Pepper, the California-based band known for its unique "Kona dub-rock" sound, has just released its eighth studio album, "Local Motion." Over the past two decades, Pepper has built a loyal fanbase and a community of like-minded bands, with their music combining reggae, alternative rock, island rhythms and punk spirit.
The new album celebrates that community, featuring collaborations with Stick Figure, E.N Young, Micah Brown, Iration, The Green, Tribal Seeds and Reel Big Fish's Billy Kottage. "Local Motion" was recorded with several producers, giving Pepper a chance to experiment with new sounds while paying tribute to their past. The album is a celebration of positivity, artistic synergy, brotherhood and modern reggae music, highlighting not only the band's talents but also the wide community they've helped build.
Purchase tickets here: https://bit.ly/3kOywAT.
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Brown Bag Opera
When: Noon to 12:45 p.m., March 21
Where: 75 S. Tarragona St.
The Jan Miller Studio Artists are set to perform at the Opera Center's monthly Brown Bag Opera event, which provides a free musical performance for lunchtime goers. Attendees can enjoy a selection of timeless showtunes, beloved arias and beautiful duets and trios as they enjoy their own sack lunches.
The 45-minute performances begin at noon and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking in the lot behind the opera center is not available. Guests are encouraged to instead park on the street or in the Jefferson Steet parking garage.
Party101 with DJ Matt Bennett at Vinyl Music Hall
When: 7 p.m., March 23
Where: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St.
Matt Bennett is performing at Vinyl on March 23. This is a general admission show, standing room only, and is open to all ages. People under 21 must pay an additional $5 surcharge at the door. General admission tickets are $15 plus tax and service fee.
Matt Bennett is an actor and musician living in Los Angeles. At 18 he made his acting debut on the hit Nickelodeon television show “Victorious.” Since then he’s appeared on “The Big Bang Theory,” “Sam and Cat,” “Gray’s Anatomy” and in movies like “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” “Bridesmaids” and “Stanford Prison Experiment." In 2023 you can catch Bennett on the road with his new DJ night Party101, a throwback celebration of music from Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.
Purchase tickets here: https://bit.ly/3KTqiC2.
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Pensacola Pick Night
When: 7 to 9 p.m., March 27
Where: Odd Colony Brewing Co., 260 N. Palafox St.
Odd Colony is hosting Pensacola Pick Night on March 27. The event features all-acoustic Bluegrass music and welcomes attendees to bring their preferred acoustic instruments or simply enjoy the sounds while sipping on pints of their favorite Odd Colony ferments.
Houndmouth at Vinyl Music Hall
When: 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, March 27
Where: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St.
Houndmouth is heading to Vinyl on March 27. This is a general admission show, standing room only, and is open to all ages. People under 21 must pay an additional $5 surcharge at the door. General admission tickets are $25 plus tax and service fee.
Houndmouth, an American alternative rock band hailing from New Albany, Indiana, was formed in 2011 and comprises Matt Myers on guitar and vocals, Shane Cody on drums and vocals and Caleb Hickman on keyboard and vocals.
Their first album's nostalgic sounds offered listeners a welcome respite from the demands of the digital age. Houndmouth gained popularity and been featured by David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, World Café and major festivals like ACL, Americana Music Festival, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Newport Folk Festival.
The band was named a "must-see" band at Lollapalooza by SPIN and Esquire.com, and Garden & Gun praised their debut album's well-crafted mix of roots and rock. Despite their humble start, genre-defining hits and experimentation, Houndmouth's unique storytelling through music has made a significant impact.
Buy tickets here: https://bit.ly/3J8V6xw.
COMEDY SHOWS
BTB Comedy Night
When: 10 p.m. to midnight, March 11
Where: 21 W. Romana St.
A free late-night comedy show featuring great local and traveling comedians is happening on March 11. The headliner for the show is Alicia Simmons Miricle, while the feature act is Simul Martin. The opening act will be performed by Zach Van Gestel.
Chelcie Lynn — 2 Fingers and a 12 Pack Tour
When: 8 p.m., March 26
Where: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Place
Comedian, actress and internet personality Chelcie Lynn has been named one of Variety's 2021 Top 10 Comics To Watch. In 2014, Lynn started gaining a following after her sketches featuring her alter ego, Trailer Trash Tammy, went viral. Her videos have since garnered hundreds of millions of views online, propelling her career on screen and in comedy touring. Lynn has acted in the Duplass Brothers' feature film "Tangerine" as 'Madame Jillian' and recently starred in the digital series "Coach Von Pidgeon" for Funny or Die and Facebook Watch.
Tickets start at $25.50 and can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/3ZDhhBn.
Sunday Afternoon Live - Hangover Show
When: 2-4 p.m., March 26
Where: A Little Madness Brewery, 9838 N. Davis Highway
A Little Madness is hosting the Sunday Afternoon Hangover Show, hosted by comedians Shane Camp and Ryan Pfeiffer, with music by Allie Bryan. Tickets are $5 at the door.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola events in March: 25 fun things to do this month
