What the Heck is a ‘Foo Foo’?
PENSACOLA’S ANNUAL FOO FOO FEST CELEBRATES HOW TO VACATION ARTFULLY
Fall may be the best time of the year to visit Pensacola. Our calendar packed full of festivals, food and fun, and the weather is some of the most beautiful of the year — warm enough to enjoy the sun, sand and surf, but not so hot that you're longing to get back into the air conditioning.
In November of each year, trade in your sunscreen-scented summer activities and immerse yourself in the art, culture and spectacle of Foo Foo Fest in Downtown Pensacola!
A 19th century term, a “foo foo,” is a spontaneous band of musicians, especially on a sailing vessel. Foo Foo Fest organizers wanted to emulate the spontaneity of such a performance, providing Pensacola with a flurry of high-quality art and culture events to liven up the shoulder season here in the Pensacola Bay Area. Plus, it’s a cute name!
This year, Foo Foo Fest celebrates its eighth fall season in beautiful Downtown Pensacola from November 3 to 14, highlighting the Pensacola’s amazing cultural diversity through a festival of musical performances, art shows, live entertainment, dazzling displays and so much more.
Cornerstones
One of the highest-regarded arts festivals in the Southeast drawing more than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, graphic artists and craftsmen year after year, the Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary in a big way this fall! In addition to three days of art, food and music November 4-6 in Downtown Pensacola’s Seville Square, don’t miss Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, a special concert by the Grammy Award-winning banjo player at Pensacola's Community Maritime Park on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Get a crash course on Pensacola’s fine arts at the Schumann Symphony No. 3 Presented by the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Saenger Theatre. Then the following Saturday, Nov. 12, come right back for Forty Forward: Celebrating Four Decades of Opera in Pensacola with the Pensacola Opera performing alongside the Pensacola Symphony.
Cornerstones
Experience these cornerstone events.
Immersed In Art
Pensacola Bubble Alley
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Amateur photographers and influencers rejoice! The Pensacola Bubble Alley, presented by the Friends of Downtown Pensacola, is an aerial display featuring thousands of reusable vinyl “bubbles,” perfect for picture posing, beginning November 3.
the Born to Hand Jive: a “Grease” Sing-Along
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The Choral Society of Pensacola are usually the ones doing the singing, but during the Born to Hand Jive: a “Grease” Sing-Along event on November 10, you’re the one that we want (to sing along!) During a screening of “Grease,” the audience will sing, dance, and do the hand jive to tunes from the cult classic. Come dressed in your best 1950s’ duds and don’t miss the Thunder Road classic car display right out front of the Rex Theatre.
All Welcome, All Ways
Stamped LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
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All are welcome at the 10th annual Stamped LGBTQIA+ Film Festival running from November 10 to 13. This free event features films centering on the LGBTQIA+ experience including national and international filmmakers of many orientations. Whether you tune in all weekend long for the full range of films or just stop by for the “Family Day,” on Sunday for children’s activities and all-ages films, there’s no better place in Pensacola to expand your horizons.
The Second City Out of the House Party
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The Second City comes to the First City! Second City Touring Company, that is. The famous comedy and improv group, an incubator for comedy legends like Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, is taking over the Pensacola State College Ashmore Auditorium for “Out of the House Party,” on November 9.
Feeling Jazzy
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
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Get all jazzed up for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, a fusion of funk, jazz, soul, rock, blues and more presented by Jazz Pensacola. Don’t miss the saxophonist who tours with The Rolling Stones on November 7 at Vinyl Music Hall.
Jazz For Justice
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Need even more jazz? Jazz For Justice on November 13 is presented by Legal Services of North Florida. The popular musical event has expanded to Museum Plaza and will feature a Gallery Night artist row, Pensacola Mess Hall kids’ zone, and a star-studded musical lineup to keep you dancing all day long.
Get Graphic
Vandals to Vanguards presented by the Pensacola Museum of Art
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Prefer your art a little bit edgy? Pop into Vandals to Vanguards presented by the Pensacola Museum of Art. Putting the “pop” in pop-up, this Foo Foo spectacle will showcase the evolution of graphic pop art and gritty street art including works from show-stopping artists like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Banksy and Mr. Brainwash. The two-week show kicks off with an opening reception and block party on November 4, or attend a special Art Factory Night at Vinyl Music Hall on November 10 where you can print your own wearable art on a t-shirt or tote bag. Who’s leaving their mark now, Banksy?
Downtown Downtime
Outside of the official Foo Foo Fest events, many downtown businesses and organizations are hosting Friend of Foo events, and all are worth checking out.
Of course, while you’re out and about immersing yourself in all things Foo, don’t forget to dine streetside downtown, sip a local brew, sample some Pensacola coffee, browse our boutiques, and vacation artfully!
