This week in Pensacola: Elf Parade, Pensacola Turkey Trot, Gulf Coast Blues Festival
Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
MONDAY
First City Lights Festival
Now through Friday, Jan. 13. Downtown Pensacola. Experience music, shopping, food, art and nightlife under a canopy of half a million white lights illuminating historic buildings, parks, shops, galleries and outdoor spaces. Wandering along Palafox, visitors may chance upon live street performances, caroling in the streets, Santa posing for photos and Winterfest Trolley Tours. More info: downtownpensacola.com.
Pensacola Winterfest
Various times through Saturday, 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 Photos with Santa, Photos with the Grinch, the Polar Express Tour, Grinch Tour, Cajun Christmas and Scrooge Tour. More info and tickets: pensacolawinterfest.org.
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Bubbles & Pearls: A Salute to the Season
6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21. The Well, 42 E. Garden St. The cocktail and oyster pairing event includes two craft bubbly cocktails and a choice of champagne or beer paired with two carefully selected oysters and toppings per sample. Each cocktail and oyster will be served with a recipe card along with descriptions of the flavors from featured chef Amy Potmesil and beverage director Jacob Mata. More info: perfectplain.com/event/bubbles-and-pearls.
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21. 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.
TUESDAY
Jazz at the Library with Joe Occhipinti
1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. West Florida Public Library, 239 N. Spring St. As an educational outreach to highlight the Jazz Room on the second floor of the library, Jazz Pensacola and West Florida Public Library are co-sponsoring concerts hosted by Joe Occhipinti, a Jazz Pensacola founding member. Free. More info: jazzpensacola.com.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop
1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. St. Sylvester’s Catholic Church Activity Center, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway. Attendees will create a beautiful centerpiece for their Thanksgiving table. All materials are provided along with step-by-step instructions and insight on general floral design principles. Refreshments will be available. The cost is $18 for Navarre Garden Club members and $20 for nonmembers. More info: 850-684-1440.
THURSDAY
Pensacola Turkey Trot
8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Seville Square, 399 S. Alcaniz St. There’s no better way to start off Thanksgiving Day than by running through the heart of downtown Pensacola. The Turkey Trot has been voted one of the best 5K courses in Pensacola. A post-race party will take place at Seville Square and the awards ceremony will take place in the Square’s pavilion. Food and refreshments will be provided to participants after the race. This is a B.Y.O.M (mimosas) affair. More info: runpensacola.com/event/pensacola-turkey-trot.
Flora-Bama Thanksgiving Potluck
Noon, bring covered dish; 1 p.m., serving; Thursday, Nov. 24. The Flora-Bama Lounge, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. The Flora-Bama invites everyone to eat, drink and be thankful during its traditional Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. The turkey and ham will be provided by the Flora-Bama, and patrons are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share. More info: florabama.com/thanksgiving-potluck.
Seville Quarter Thanksgiving Night Party
8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. The party starts with Seville Quarter’s College Night Reunion Celebration. Time to meet up with your old friends and catch up. Thanksgiving night at Seville is like a great big reunion party. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
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FRIDAY
The Elf Parade
12:30 p.m., lineup; 2 p.m., parade start; Friday, Nov. 25. 223 Palafox Place, downtown Pensacola. The Elf Parade is a grand kickoff to the 2022 holiday season and returns to downtown Pensacola for the first time since the pandemic. Any adults who wish to walk in the parade will just need to wear their ugliest Christmas sweater. Followers of the parade will end at the museum plaza to experience the brand-new Christmas market. More info: pensacolawinterfest.org.
Gulf Coast Blues Festival
6:30 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26. Zelica Grotto MOVPER, 1000 South K St. Enjoy two nights of blues and Southern soul featuring Lacee, Walter Waiters, Big Yayo, Magic One, Ms. Monique, Mose Stovall, Crowd Control, Aunt Roni and Starchild. Hosted by Nikki DeMarks and Beverly McDowell. This is a B.Y.O.B. affair. Tickets start at $30 in advance; $40 at the door. More info: gulfcoastbluesfest.com.
Rocky Mountain High Experience, A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler
7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Rocky Mountain High Experience, A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler, America’s Top John Denver Tribute is an unforgettable and intimate experience that will take you back to the ’70s when John Denver’s music permeated the radio airways. Schuler’s enchanting holiday show features all your favorite Denver hits including “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine On My Shoulders,” “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” just to name a few. Tickets start at $25. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
The fourth annual All Black Affair Experience
8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Court of DeLuna Event Space, 116 E. Gonzalez St. Walk down the red carpet and have all eyes on you, including photographers and videographers capturing every moment. There will be five DJs in attendance to set the vibe. Participants may hang out in the Black Lounge to feel a reggae/R&B vibe or the All Black Affair’s famous “Red Room.” Grab a bite to eat with Fam Ty’s or get the full experience in the main event room. Network with friends and family for the holiday season and have a few drinks while dancing the night away. More info: 813-210-7711 or 850-206-8559.
SATURDAY
Legacy Reunion of Earth, Wind, and Fire
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Earth, Wind & Fire dominated the '70s with their monster grooves and high energy, danceable hits, garnering 20 Grammy Award nominations (winning six as a group) and a Hall of Fame Induction along the way. Get swept up in the musical whirlwind and the glory days of EWF as Legacy Reunion reunites members of the EWF family to continue the tradition now spanning five decades. Tickets start at $34. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: This week in Pensacola: Elf Parade, Turkey Trot, Gulf Coast Blues Fest
