Celebrate Black History Month

Celebrate Pensacola's rich history and culture through music, art, literature and Southern soul food during Black History Month, and discover firsthand the impact African Americans had on founding the first European settlement in the United States.

Don't miss the African American Heritage Society annual fund-raiser "All That Chocolate All That Jazz" from 7-10 p.m. on Feb. 8 featuring decadent desserts from local vendors and live entertainment by jazz and R&B band "Will-Inspire."

Step back to the days of old at the Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair March 1-2 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds featuring live jousting on horseback with Medieval knights in full armor, swashbuckling swordsmen, falconry, storytellers and musicians, jesters, jugglers, fire breathers, belly dancers and bagpipers. Renaissance wares and crafts, and food and beverages abound, so eat, drink and be merry!

Downtown Pensacola comes alive as galleries and boutiques stay open late for this spring's Gallery Night on March 7. Stroll in and out of galleries, stop to hear a street performer, or people watch and chat with friends from a street-side cafe. Gallery owners are thrilled to tell visitors about the art on display and often welcome them with a refreshing drink and light snack. Of course, the restaurants are another place to mingle into the evening and talk about your favorite paintings or sculptures.

Courtesy trolleys are available to pick up passengers for ease of getting around the downtown area. Admission is free.

• JazzFest Goes On. Feb. 9 at Seville Quarter.
• Ronnie McDowell. Feb. 15-16 at Farmer's Opry.
• The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Feb. 17 at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
• Celtic Woman. Feb. 23 at the Pensacola Civic Center.
• The Fresh Aire Music of Mannheim Steamroller. March 9 at the Pensacola Civic Center.

Unwind beside our emerald waters and make your friends green with envy on St. Patrick's day, March 17, as you bask on the beach in temperatures in the 60s and 70s. You'll find live music, great food and plenty of cheer at McGuire's Irish Pub. Test your luck at the McGuire's St. Patty's Day 5K Prediction Run, where awards go to the fastest as well as the most accurate in predicting the time it will take to walk or run the 3.1-mile course. Learn to cook like an Irishman at Distinctive Kitchens' Cooking Well: Authentic Irish Flavors class on March 17.

There's nothing more spiritual than watching the sunrise over the beach on Easter Sunday, March 23, attending a service in a church with a history spanning three centuries and enjoying a brunch of divine seafood and Southern cuisine.

Easter in Pensacola promises an ideal getaway with loved ones, while enjoying blooming azaleas, pure white beaches and mild temperatures.

During the final weeks of winter, visitors to the Pensacola Bay Area delight in a moderate climate coupled with cozy atmospheres in quaint downtown shops and eateries. Some activities to be enjoyed at this time of year include kayaking, bird watching, exploring museums and joining in on one of the many year-round local festivals.

Take advantage of incredible lodging deals while the secret season is still here.