This week in Pensacola: The Nutcracker, Christmas ZOObilee, Pensacola Record Fair
Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
MONDAY
Pensacola Winterfest
Various times through 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.
Jingle Jazz Presents Saundra Daggs
5:30 p.m., doors; 6:30 p.m., show; Dec. 12. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Jazz Pensacola invites the community to a free blast of seasonal fun with popular vocalist Saundra Daggs and a five-piece band. Get into the Christmas and holiday spirit with Daggs and Miguel Aldahondo, vocals; Mary Chavez, vocals and keyboard; Bob Maksymkow, saxophone; George Petropoulos, trumpet; Jimmy Roebuck, drums; and Steve Douglas, bass. The event is free, but donations are accepted. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. Dec. 12. 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.
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THURSDAY
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Jr.
Various showtimes Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 9 through 18. Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. The holiday classic soars off the screen in this Broadway Junior, 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with holiday hits like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas," Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. features all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. More info and ticket details: pensacolalittletheatre.com.
FRIDAY
Gallery Night
5 p.m. Dec. 16. Downtown Pensacola. Gallery Night Pensacola is a nonprofit organization with a dedicated goal of inspiring culture, engagement, and the practice of arts of all types in an entertaining event for all ages and walks of life. These monthly events focus on specific themes, highlight featured artists, and recruit the best creators the area has to offer. This month’s theme is Ugly Sweater Day. More info: gallerynightpensacola.org.
Ballet Pensacola's Nutcracker
7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 through 18. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Join Clara as she embarks on a magical journey through the toy soldiers, mice filled battle fields, glistening snowflakes and delicious festivities in the Land of the Sweets. The Nutcracker is a grand spectacle of opulence and one of the most splendid versions of the holiday classic. With hundreds of roles and myriad details that will leave you discovering something new in every performance, Ballet Pensacola’s The Nutcracker is a treat for ballet lovers of all ages. Tickets start at $40. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
Corey Smith
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Dec. 16. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Corey Smith has amassed an unfailingly devout fan base, not only in his native Southeast region, but all around the nation, simply by telling it the way it is. His concerts, which were documented on his last live record, “Live in Chattanooga”, regularly sell out, with audiences singing along to such fan favorites as the coming-of-age anthem “Twenty-One,” the nostalgic time warp “If I Could Do It Again” and the group hug “I Love Everyone.” $25. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
SATURDAY
Christmas ZOObilee
10 a.m. Dec. 17 and 18. Gulf Breeze Zoo, 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway. Christmas ZOObilee includes winter-themed bounce stations, live music and entertainment, a candy cane market full of gifts, sights, smells, and tastes of the season, including unique gifts from local artists and delicious holiday treats. The family friendly event wouldn't be complete without a visit from the jolly man in a red suit. Weekends with Santa is the perfect opportunity to hand-deliver last-minute Christmas letters while snapping a treasured photo with Saint Nick in his sleigh. More info: gbzoo.com/event/zoobile.
Deck the Halls: A Holiday Event
10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 17. Jackson’s Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St. Jackson’s has once again teamed up with the Pensacola Opera to present an event filled with holiday cheer featuring costumed carolers strolling from table to table singing all of the traditional carols. The quartet for the evening will include Tina Wang, Suzette Leger, Joseph Decker, and Greg Watson. The Pensacola Opera singers will serenade patrons with holiday favorites such as “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” to name a few. More info: jacksonsrestaurant.com.
Santa at the Pier
11 a.m. Dec. 17. Windjammers on the Pier, 8579 Gulf Blvd., Navarre Beach. Families are welcome to take photos with Santa and hand deliver wish lists. The restaurant will be accepting donations and supplies that will be delivered to the Santa Rosa Kids’ House. More info: getrelaxing.com.
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Beachmas at Laguna's
3 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18. Laguna's Beach Bar + Grill, at 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd. Experience go-kart racing and adventures in the park with Santa. Guests can purchase a Beachmas wristband for $34.99 or choose activities separately from an a la carte menu. While food is not included with a wristband, the full Laguna’s menu will be available at the event. More info: lagunaspensacolabeach.com/beachmas.
The third annual One-Z Party
6 p.m. Dec. 17. Juana’s Pagodas, 1451 Navarre Beach Causeway. Grab your friends and put on your favorite onesie to come party. The night will include a DJ, fun games and Blue Chair Bay rum drink specials for people in a onesie. Free. More info: getrelaxing.com.
Anna Lepeley’s Comedians in Drag Doing Comedy
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Dec. 17. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Local comedians will compete for the crown with their best drag lip sync and standup comedy along with a Q&A bikini contest. Dr. Anna Lepeley is a nationally touring headliner who has her master’s in, quite literally, beer. She has authored the hit book “Beer is Good For You” and travels the country doing both comedy and seminars regarding the health benefits of beer. Tickets start at $20. For ages 18 and older. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
White Tie Christmas
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Dec. 17. Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. The White Tie Rock Ensemble is kicking off the holiday season with a family friendly holiday tribute concert featuring the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Springsteen, McCartney, the Eagles and other holiday classics. Tickets start at $25. More info: 850-432-0800.
SUNDAY
Pensacola Record Fair
Noon Dec. 18. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Shop last minute gifts from the region’s most dedicated wax dealers. There will be thousands of records to flip through while enjoying some of Pensacola’s favorite DJs. Presented by Easy Going Gallery. Free. More info: vinylmusichall.com.
Danny O'Flaherty's Celtic Christmas
7 p.m. Dec. 18. Beach Church, 920 Panferio Drive, Pensacola Beach. Danny O'Flaherty's Celtic Christmas encompasses the customs, stories and songs from each of the Celtic nations. This all-ages show is the perfect event to kick off the holiday season with the entire family. Join O'Flaherty and slip back in time to savor the Christmas season as it has been celebrated among the Celtic people for centuries. $20. Free for ages younger than 12. More info: danny@dannyoflaherty.com.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola this week: Nutcracker, Christmas ZOObilee
