This week in Pensacola: Polar bear plunging and dipping; Gulf Coast parties like it’s 2023

Pensacola News Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK
·6 min read

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.

Sowell's North Pole Christmas Lights Display

5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26. 7650 Sowell Road in Milton. Sowell’s North Pole Christmas Light Display (drive-through and/or park) is an annual Christmas light show put on by the Sowell family. The event will be open every night including Christmas Eve and Christmas night. Admission fee required; prices vary each night. More info: sowellfarms.com/northpole.

Holiday Dreams - A Spectacular Holiday Cirque!

Holiday Dreams - A Spectacular Holiday Cirque comes to the Saenger Theatre on Monday.
Holiday Dreams - A Spectacular Holiday Cirque comes to the Saenger Theatre on Monday.

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Holiday Dreams is the most modern, exciting and original holiday show on the scene today. Featuring holograms, projection mapping, interactive lasers and BMX daredevils, the production is worlds apart from the traditional cirque-style shows. Holiday Dreams also features the most amazing and talented cast of cirque performers, comedic actors, singers and specialty acts from all corners of the world. Tickets start at $44. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

Monday Night Blues

7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26. 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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TUESDAY

Jazz by the Book

1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27. 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 co-sponsor "Jazz by the Book" concerts. The Jazz Room features a collection of books, magazines/newspapers, CDs, recordings and other materials that are available for anyone with a library card. Hosted by Joe Occhipinti, a Jazz Pensacola founding member. Free. More info: 850-436-5064.

SATURDAY

Flora-Bama New Year's Eve Bash

6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. The Flora-Bama is the place to be on New Year’s Eve with live music on all three stages that will be rocking until the party stops. Enjoy food, party favors and a midnight champagne toast as the new year is rung in Flora-Bama style. Tickets include an all you can eat dinner buffet from 6-11 p.m., a breakfast buffet at midnight and free champagne split. $80 For ages 21 and older. More info: 850-492-0611 or florabama.com.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents Celebrate the New Year

Bronson Norris Murphy will help the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra 'Celebrate the New Year' on Saturday.
Bronson Norris Murphy will help the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra 'Celebrate the New Year' on Saturday.

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The bright lights of Broadway come to the Saenger stage as the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra celebrates the new year with musical theater’s most memorable melodies.  The show features special guests Bronson Norris Murphy, Mamie Parris and Madison Claire Parks. Tickets start at $24. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

Seville Quarter New Year's Eve Celebration

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Seville’s legendary New Year’s Eve Celebration will feature live entertainment all night long, party favors and a complimentary complex-wide champagne toast at midnight. Membership party package: starts at $80. Dance package: $20. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

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New Year’s Eve Red Carpet Party

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road. Glam it up and get ready for your red carpet debut as Coastal County Brewing hosts a night of friends, fun and festivities with all the glitz and glamor of a true Hollywood blowout. The evening will include a live DJ, all you can eat and drink, over 30 house and specialty brews and a Mimosa bar to keep the bubbly flowing. $100. For ages 21 and older. More info: coastalcountybrewing.com/events.

Krewe of Gatsby Girls Speakeasy Ball and Charity Event

The Krewe of Gatsby Girls will host their eighth annual Speakeasy Ball on Saturday.
The Krewe of Gatsby Girls will host their eighth annual Speakeasy Ball on Saturday.

9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Hilton Pensacola Beach 12 Via De Luna Drive. The Krewe of Gatsby Girls invites everyone to attend their eighth annual Speakeasy Ball. Ticket purchases benefit the Honor H.E.R Foundation of Northwest Florida and include a night on the dance floor with the Unfortunate Sons. $150 general admission; $300 VIP. More info: kreweofgatsbygirls.com.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Midnight, Saturday, Dec. 31. Pensacola Beach. The annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks display will take place along the sound side of Pensacola Beach. At the stroke of midnight, keep your eyes to the skies as a dazzling light display will take place overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. More info: meg@visitpensacolabeach.com.

SUNDAY

Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip

People didn't let early morning showers hinder their chance to participate in the 37th annual Polar Bear Dip at the Flora-Bama on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.
People didn't let early morning showers hinder their chance to participate in the 37th annual Polar Bear Dip at the Flora-Bama on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

Noon Sunday, Jan. 1. Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. After celebrating New Year's Eve at the Flora-Bama, start the new year by taking a plunge into the Gulf of Mexico. The Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip is the event of New Year's Day along the Gulf Coast. Groups and families gather in costume, swimsuits and wet suits to feel the salt water on their face. Those who fully submerge in the Gulf will get a free draft beer and a free New Year's lunch of ham, black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread. More info: 850-492-0611 or florabama.com.

Polar Bear Plunge

2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach. Head to Pensacola Beach and plunge headfirst into the Santa Rosa Sound at the annual Polar Bear Plunge for an exhilarating rush to kick off your new year. Hosted by Paradise Bar & Grill, hundreds of dippers and spectators — many dressed in costume — flock to the beach to participate in this long-established tradition. Registration begins at noon and the fee is $15. Participants will receive a Polar Bear Plunge T-shirt or a $10 registration donation to participate without the T-shirt and $5 Cub Club for grades five and under. More info: katie@ewbullock.com.

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: This week in Pensacola: Polar bear plunge and dip; New Year rings in