White Christmas in the Pensacola Bay Area

Escape To Perdido Key or SANTA Rosa Island For A Family-Friendly Holiday Weekend

Pensacola, Fla. – Oct. 20, 2009 – From tall ships and giant pelicans to bright lights and white beaches, the Pensacola Bay Area is an action-packed getaway for the holidays this year. Residents and visitors are celebrating with numerous special events to make the season bright. Plus, local accommodations are feeling the Christmas spirit with free nights, free excursions and generous lodging rates starting at $49.99.

Holiday Events

• Gallery Night. Nov. 20. Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late. Courtesy trolleys stop along the way. Free admission. (850) 432-9906, www.artsnwfl.org.
• Winterfest Trolley Tours. Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-24. Trolleys and double-decker buses act as theaters taking passengers to a series of interactive performances with favorite fictional characters at 22 locations in historic Downtown Pensacola. www.pensacolawinterfest.org.
• Holiday Evening in Olde Seville. Dec. 3. An all-holiday music concert under the oaks in Downtown Pensacola. (850) 438-6505.
• 42nd Annual Snowball Derby. Dec. 3-5. As one of the nation’s premier short-track events, more than 30,000 race fans gather to see some of the biggest names in motorsports competing in a 300-lap race. (850) 944-8400, www.5flagsspeedway.com.
• Lighted Boat Parade. Dec. 11. Experience the sparkling spectacle of decorated boats and watch as Santa Claus officially arrives on the Island. (850) 932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com.
• Surfing Santa Beach Parade. Dec. 13. Holiday floats wind their way down Santa Rosa Island’s main street sharing holiday joy, candy, beads and trinkets. Kids can enjoy a visit with Santa afterward. (850) 932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com.
• Nina and Pinta Visit Pensacola. Dec. 23 to Jan. 3. Hop aboard Columbus’ ships in Downtown Pensacola. The public is invited to visit the replica ships for walk-aboard, self-guided tours. www.thenina.com.  
• Pelican Drop for New Year’s Eve. Dec. 31. Families can enjoy a street-party atmosphere with live music, a children’s area and fireworks, along with a 10-foot, half-ton illuminated pelican that will be dropped 100 feet at midnight.
• Polar Bear Dip. Jan. 1. The Flora-Bama Lounge in Perdido Key and Paradise Bar and Grill in Pensacola Beach host this popular, annual splash-around with traditional black-eyed peas afterward. (850) 492-0611 and (850) 932-1500.

Holiday Specials

• Two-night Getaway at Portofino Island - Stay in a luxurious two-bedroom condo with views of Pensacola Bay, Gulf Islands National Seashore or the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy free golf, deep-sea fishing and other amenities including a water taxi and indoor pool. Price is $500. (850) 454-2341.
• Christmas in Downtown Pensacola - Spend Christmas at the Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Pensacola. Relax on our beaches, explore historic downtown Pensacola, dine on coastal cuisine and spend quality time together. Price is $99. (850) 439-3330.
• Nina and the Pinta Tall Ship/Small Price - Enjoy an overnight stay at the Red Roof Inn before exploring the beautiful tall ships. Price is $49.99. (850) 476-7960.
• White Christmas in Perdido Key - Plan a family vacation in Perdido Key, along the sugar-white shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Stay three to five nights and get a night free, or stay seven nights and get two nights free. Prices are $155-$335 per night. (800) 523-8141.
• New Year’s Eve Party Package - The Courtyard by Marriott is offering an overnight stay, two admissions to Seville Quarter’s New Year’s Eve Gala, complimentary shuttle to and from the party, a morning after survival kit, breakfast and late checkout. Price is $189. (850) 439-3330.
• New Year’s Eve for Two in Downtown Pensacola – Stay overnight at Sole Inn and Suites and walk to the street party downtown. Plus, enjoy complimentary happy hour and breakfast. Price starts at $99. (850) 470-9298.
• New Year’s Eve Grand Celebration – The Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand Hotel is offering an overnight stay for two guests with a full dinner buffet in the Grand Ballroom, live entertainment by Shawn Curle and the 44’s, party favors, champagne and late check out. Price is $229. (850) 433-3336.
• New Year’s Eve on Pensacola Beach - Join the fun, festivities and fireworks this New Year’s Eve on Pensacola Beach. Book a Gulf-view room at the Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach Gulf Front and receive champagne and party favors. Offer valid Dec. 31-Jan 3. Price is $110. (850) 932-6800.

For more information about the Pensacola Bay Area or to request a Visitor Guide, call the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 874-1234 or (850) 434-1234 or go online to www.VisitPensacola.com.

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