Take A Walk
Get outdoors and take a walk in the Pensacola Bay Area. The Pensacola Bay Area has miles of paved, boardwalks and unpaved trails waiting for you to explore.
Winter
Explore Winter in Pensacola
Why Visit Pensacola in the Winter?
Winter in Pensacola is a magical season! Enjoy festive holiday lights downtown, shimmering white sand beaches, and breathtaking sunsets. Winterfest kicks off on Black Friday with the Elf Parade, holiday trolley tours, and live performances through Christmas Eve. As the new year begins, Mardi Gras takes over with lively parades, beads, and Moon Pies filling the streets. Pensacon, a multi-day pop culture convention, adds even more excitement in February. With fewer beach crowds and endless outdoor activities, winter is the perfect time to experience Pensacola’s charm!
Winter Highlights and Must-Do Activities
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Winter Signature Events
Gallery Night
Monthly
Gallery Night takes ART to the streets each month with local artists, live music, food vendors, and downtown businesses coming together to celebrate creativity and community. Each event features a different theme and a lively, walkable atmosphere along Palafox Street.
Winterfest
November — December 2025
Family-fun activities including the elf parade, holiday shows, visits with Santa and Winterfest’s signature trolley tours that include a series performances along a two-mile route in historic Downtown Pensacola.
Pensacola Christmas Parade
December 13, 2025
The Pensacola Christmas Parade has been around for decades. The fun begins at 5:30 PM, so head to Downtown Pensacola and experience the magic of the holiday season at this parade.
MLK Day Parade
January 19, 2026
The Pensacola Martin Luther King Jr. Parade has been rolling since 1987 and is a celebration to honor Martin Luther King Jr. This parade has become a powerful platform for fostering community pride, celebrating diversity, and honoring Dr. King's legacy by bringing together the citizens of Pensacola.
Pensacon
February 20–22, 2026
Pensacon is the Gulf Coast’s premier pop culture convention celebrating the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic books, cosplay, animation, video games, books and much, much more.
Mardi Gras
January — February 2026
One of the country’s original celebration sites, Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach host family-oriented fun with parades, beads and moonpies. Signature Mardi Gras events include the Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade, the Grand Mardi Gras Parade and the Krewe of Wrecks Pensacola Beach Parade.
Sun Belt Basketball Championship
March 3 — 9, 2026
Sun Belt Basketball Championship March Madness comes to Pensacola as NCAA Division 1 men’s and women’s college basketball teams compete for the Sun Belt championship.
Winter Blog Reads
Itineraries to Inspire Your Winter Trip
Itinerary: Spending a Winter Day in Pensacola
The winter season in Pensacola has so much to offer. From pristine beach walks to holiday festivities, it's a fabulous time to visit. Read the itinerary below for how to spend a perfect winter day in Pensacola.
Itinerary: Holiday/ Seasonal Happenings in Pensacola
Coming to Pensacola for the holiday season? Explore this itinerary to discover all the essential activities and experiences during the festive season.
Itinerary: Health & Wellness Retreat
Coming to Pensacola? Explore this health and wellness weekend retreat that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and rested.
Itinerary: A Day Spent in Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola has all the activities, flavors, and fun waiting for you to explore. Check out this itinerary on all the best ways to make the most of your day in Downtown Pensacola.
