The summer solstice is coming up fast. Here's what Pensacolians have to look forward to.
Recent heat may make you think it's already summer, but we are still nearly a month out before we can celebrate the summer solstice and even more intense heat.
The summer solstice is also considered the longest day of the year. There will be approximately 14 hours and nine minutes of daylight.
So, get ready to grab your calendar and a pen; it's time to mark down the first day of summer.
When is the first day of summer?
The first day of summer technically arrives with the summer solstice, which takes place on June 20 this year. The true solstice will happen in the Northern Hemisphere at around 3:51 p.m. CST.
What is the summer solstice?
The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year. During the summer solstice, the sun is at its highest point in the sky and the Earth's tilt toward the star is at its maximum, according to the National Weather Service.
In the U.S., at latitudes of approximately 40 degrees north, daylight during the summer solstice will last for about 15 hours, Space.com reports.
As the days go by, the amount of sunlight will decrease. This culminates with the winter solstice or the shortest day of the year. On the winter solstice, the Earth's tilt is its farthest from the sun.
What's happening in Pensacola this summer?
The good news is that Pensacola shines best during the spring and summer, when you can take advantage of our surrounding natural beauty, like Pensacola Beach or our state parks.
If you're wondering what you can do to pass the time this summer, here is a list of events to look forward to.
Bands on the Beach
When: Every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m.
Where: Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach
Bands on the Beach is an electrifying concert series that kicks off in April. It’s a highly anticipated musical event that spans genres from rock to country, pop to funk and everything in between. It’s hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority and set against the stunning backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Here’s the lineup this summer:
June:
June 4: The New Cahoots
June 11: 2Eleven
June 18: Float Like a Buffalo
June 25: Vinyl Revival
July:
July 2: Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs
July 9: Still Standing a Tribute to Elton John
July 16: On the Rox
July 23: Stormfolk
July 30: Tyler Mac
August:
Aug. 6: Blackwater Country
Aug. 13: The Astronauts
Aug. 20: Yard Lights
Aug. 27: Cristi Dee’s Bad Juju
September:
Sept. 3: Shenanigans
Sept. 10: Class X
Sept. 17: Whitesands Panhandle
Sept. 24: Crosstown
October:
Oct. 1: Blind Mullets Band
Oct. 8: Knee Deep Band
Oct. 15: String Farm
Oct. 22: Wester
Oct. 29: Not Quite Fab
Gallery Night
When: Every third Friday of the month from 5-9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Pensacola
If you’ve lived in Pensacola for any amount of time at all, you’re probably already familiar with Gallery Night. The monthly event is one of the most popular events in the area. It features tons of local artists, live music and performances, food trucks and more. Here’s a look at the dates and themes through the rest of the year:
June 21 – Prismatic
July 19 – Palafox chalk walk
August 16 – Car show
September 20 – Viva Pensacola
October 18 – Fright night
November 15 – Festival of living art
December 20 – Ugly sweater weather
Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show
When: July 10-13
Where: Pensacola Beach
The Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show is another signature event that probably needs no introduction. Each year, the Blue Angels draw tens of thousands of people to Pensacola Beach to watch them perform for three days. The show also highlights a number of other aeronautical performers, such as Skip Stewart, Redline, Julian MacQueen, the Red Bull Air Force Team and more.
Bulls on the Beach
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 5-7
Where: Flora-Bama Lounge, 17401 Perdido Key Drive
Flora-Bama’s Bulls on the Beach brings the rodeo to meet the ocean. This is the 11th annual Bulls on the Beach. You’ll find live rodeo action featuring professional bull riders from around the country and a coloring contest where the winner receives a bike.
Latin Salsa Festival 2024
When: 2-10 p.m. June 22
Where: Museum Plaza, 120 Church St.
The Latine Salsa Festival lets you immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of salsa music, serves up delicious Latin cuisine and allows you to celebrate with the community.
2024 Pensacola Splash Fest
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 29
Where: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St.
Cool off for the day at the 2nd annual Pensacola Splash Fest at Community Maritime Park. There will be several water slide bounce houses, water obstacles, slip and slides, dunk tanks, corn hole, triple play sports games and misting tents. Admission is $15 with a wristband, $5 for adults without a wristband, $10 for children 6-17 with a wristband and kids 5 and under get in for free.
Learn more: https://apexshowsandevents.com/
4th of July
When: July 4
Where: Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach
July 4 is perhaps the greatest summertime celebration. Pensacola celebrates America’s Independence Day with firework displays over Pensacola Beach and Pensacola Bay for the downtown crowd.
The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce will host its fireworks display over the Santa Rosa Sound at 9 p.m. The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and the sandy beaches surrounding it are the perfect place to watch the show.
The Pensacola fireworks over Pensacola Bay will take place at 9 p.m., too, and you can catch them along Main Street and down Palafox Street, heading toward Pensacola Pier.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Summer starts soon. Here's what Pensacolians have to look forward to
