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Winter Holiday Experience Only Found in Pensacola

Pensacola doesn’t see a lot of snow, but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate a good cup of hot chocolate, holiday cheer, and celebrating the winter season. Experience all that Pensacola has to offer this holiday season below.

Events that Sparkle

Come for the beach, stay for the sparkle. Pensacola is home to some of the most magical moments of the holiday season. From half a million lights at the month-long First City Lights Festival to grinch trolley tours and boat parades, it’s likely you’ll feel like you stopped at the North Pole without the winter chill. Scroll below to explore this season’s events.

Shop Small for a Big Return

Never has shopping had the opportunity to give you so much. Now more than ever it’s important to support local business. Pensacola is home to a multitude of locally-owned shops and boutiques. With the addition of the holiday season, markets can be found happening almost every weekend. Explore your options below.

Holiday Drinks, Sweet Treats, and Eats

We know visions of sugar plums and eggnog are what come to mind, but we’re a tad more creative than that in America’s First Settlement. From pop-up Christmas bars to festive desserts and special dine-in menus, Pensacola is sure for flavors that pack a punch.

Bodacious

Need a boost? Stop by Bodacious Brew, located next to Bodacious Olive on the corner of Palafox & Main Street in downtown Pensacola. We are a full-service espresso bar, featuring a selection of gourmet coffee and tea from around the world! Our coffee & tea menu includes lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffee and more! And whether it’s french press, syphon, Chemex or pour over, we can brew your perfect cup of coffee exactly the way you like it! Private Events Host your next celebration with us! Standing proudly on the second floor at the corner of Palafox & Main this beautifully restored space in the SOGO District offers an unparalleled backdrop for one-of-a-kind parties, showers, cooking classes, receptions, private dinners, meetings and special events.

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Perfect Plain Brewing Co.

Located in the heart of downtown Pensacola, our facility is the original location of Perfect Plain Brewing Company’s brewery and taproom.

Designed to bring people together in a spacious, welcome environment, the taproom is a fully immersive experience with long communal tables and our entire 10-barrel brewhouse exposed within the gathering area. Portions of our building date back more than 75 years, and architectural signs of decades’ past have been preserved in our space.

We completed our taproom with an expansive, dog-friendly patio facing historic Garden Street.

In 1764, when Garden Street was the northern border of Pensacola’s small downtown core, any resident who purchased land was given a companion parcel to use for a garden. To this day, the boundary lines of Perfect Plain’s space fits the original “Garden lot” dimensions.

MON-WED 4PM-10PM, THURS 4PM-MIDNIGHT, FRI NOON-1AM, SAT 11AM-1AM, SUN NOON-10PM

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Jackson’s Steakhouse

Jackson's Steakhouse occupies the ground floor of the revitalized 1860's-era building.  Jackson's overlooks Plaza Ferdinand - where in 1821, General Andrew Jackson accepted the transfer of Florida from Spain to the United States. In 1998, a group of like minded entrepreneurs were inspired to renovate the old building and open a restaurant in commemoration of this historic event. Today, Jackson's Steakhouse procures only Midwestern grain-fed beed from the heartland of America.  The Proprietor's Cut and fresh, local seafood are hand-selected and artistically prepared to perfection. Our great steaks stand tall with the superb flavor of wet-aged beef that is like no other. Over the past decade, Jackson's has earned the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator nine times.  Also, as an eight-time consective recipient of Florida Trend magazine's Golden Spoon Award as well as the recipient of their Hall of Fame Award.  Jackson's Steakhouse is placed by the Distinguished Restaurants of North America in the top two percent of all fine dining restaurants in the country.

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Old Hickory Whiskey Bar

Old Hickory Whiskey Bar is named after the 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson, the first Territorial Governor of Florida. He was imperative to Florida becoming part of the United States in 1821, when he hoisted the American flag over Florida Territory for the first time in Plaza Ferdinand. His residence while in Pensacola was actually located just across the street on the corner of Intendencia Street and Palafox Place. Integrating local history into an entertaining experience for patrons is, and will always be, the vision for Old Hickory.
Old Hickory is owned by Pensacola native & Historic Preservationist, Katie Garrett.
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Check Out the Visit Pensacola Holiday Cube

The Visit Pensacola Holiday Cube is back! Be sure to stop by, snap a selfie, and use the hashtag #experiencepcola. You can find it between Zarragossa and Jefferson St. in Downtown Pensacola.

Polar Bear Plunge

It’s crisp, it’s cool, so don’t be a fool! While plunging into the Gulf of Mexico might not be first on your to-do list, it definitely shouldn’t be last. Welcome the new year at one of the official plunges, like the one at the Flora-Bama Lounge and Package, or DIY from now until then.

Search for Santa

We know the big guy in red can be spotted making his rounds around town. From Cordova Mall to corners of downtown and everything in between, our favorite Christmas character is always up for a photo op. Be sure to snap one and share it and tag @visitpensacola for a chance to be featured on our channels!

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