Major Events

JANUARY
• Polar Bear Dip. Jan. 1, 2006. The Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama state line on Perdido Key Beach hosts this popular, annual splash-around in the Gulf of Mexico. Afterwards, everyone joins in a Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day and warms up with good music and beverages. Call (850) 492-0611 or visit www.florabama.com .

• Picasso Ceramics from the Bernie Bercuson. Now thru February 18, 2006. Pablo Picasso is regarded as one of the true giants in the history of art. His works have broken down barriers, ignited controversy, and influenced artists for generations. The exhibition is comprised of fifty ceramic pieces that include pitchers, plaques, tiles, and vases shaped and painted to depict doves, owls, bulls, faces and figures. The Pensacola Museum of Art is honored to present this exhibition as its annual Fall Blockbuster show. For more information, please visit www.pensacolamuseumofart.org

FEBRUARY
• M ardi Gras. Various dates from mid-Jan. – Feb. 28, 2006 . One of the country's original celebration sites, Pensacola hosts family-oriented Mardi Gras fun at numerous parades, where crowds catch beads and moonpies tossed from floats, as well as various contests and culinary festivals. Call (800) 874-1234 or visit www.pensacolamardigras.com .

• Black History Month. Throughout the month of February. Celebrate the evolution of African-American history at several area events including a black history recital and concert at the University of West Florida with music performed by the UWF Gospel Choir. Call the UWF theater ticket office at (850) 474-2405 or the African-American Heritage Society at (850) 469-1299.

MARCH
• Gallery Night. March 17, 2006. Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this quarterly event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation. Free admission. Call (850) 432-9906 or visit www.artsnwfl.org

• Festival on the Green. March 31-April 1, 2006 The University of West Florida Main Campus located at 11000 University Parkway hosts this two-day event that welcomes the Northwest Florida and South Alabama communities to the UWF campus. Festivities at this year's event will include a fine arts show and craft fair, dog agility showcase, musical performances, sporting events, food vendors, a children's fair and more. FREE and open to the public. Call (850) 474-3000 or visit http://uwf.edu/festival

APRIL
• Pensacola JazzFest. April 1-2, 2006. Pensacola's historic Seville Square hosts this event filled with great jazz music performed by local and national talents. Free admission. Call (850) 433-8382 or visit www.jazzpensacola.com .

• GraceFest. April 7-8, 2006 . Multi-denominational Christian music festival held at the Pensacola Fairgrounds features national, regional, and local independent artists performing contemporary, praise and worship, alternative, traditional and southern gospel, and rap music. This year, Hispanic artists have been added to the lineup. Tickets range from $5 to $28 for the two-day event. Group discounts available. This year's event is a fundraiser for Rebuild Northwest Florida ! Call (866) 84-GRACE or visit www.gracefest.org .

• Interstate Mullet Toss. April 28-30, 2006. The Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama state line hosts this wacky annual tournament that has participants compete in an actual mullet toss. Live music, food, and drinks accompany this weekend. Call (850) 492-6838 or visit www.florabama.com .

MAY
• 22nd Annual Pensacola Crawfish Creole Fiesta. May 5-7, 2006. Held in Historic Bartram Park, the Crawfish Creole Fiesta is an annual celebration of the Cajun influence in the Northwest Florida Community. The event is one of the largest crawfish boils in state, with authentic bayou country entertainment and an expanded children and families' activities area. Call (850) 433-6512 or visit www.fiestaoffiveflags.org .

• The Florida Springfest. Canceled for 2006 . 2007 dates TBA.  This three-day musical celebration draws national headliner musical groups and thousands of people to downtown Pensacola. Call (850) 565-0164 or visit www.pensacolaspringfest.net

JUNE
• Fiesta Days Celebration and Boat Parade. June 1-10, 2006. The 56th annual Fiesta of Five Flags Celebration starts with a light-hearted reenactment of the surrender of the city to Spanish explorer Don Tristan DeLuna, who first landed in Pensacola in 1559. Immediately following is an evening of outdoor musical entertainment. Free admission. Call (850) 433-6512 or visit www.fiestaoffiveflags.org .

• Bud Light King Mackerel/ Cobia Tournament. June 24-25, 2006. Come see the best fishermen in the area catch some of the largest King Mackerel and Cobia in the gulf. This is the largest two-day boat event in the Gulf of Mexico with over 1,200 anglers representing 17 states. Total prize money and gifts awarded tops the $100,000 mark annually and continues to grow. Call (850) 934-2855 or visit www.pensacolakingmack.com .

JULY
• SERTOMA'S 4th of July Celebration . This family oriented, patriotic celebration is the largest 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION ON THE GULF COAST. Free admission. The daylong activities feature a large children's area with activities beginning at 10a.m., plus live entertainment, a patriotic parade, arts and crafts, food vendors, and other activities culminating in a HUGE fireworks display over Pensacola Bay! For more information visit www.pensacolasertomajuly4th.org

• Gallery Night. July 7, 2006 . Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown arts galleries open late for this quarterly event sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation. Free admission. Call (850) 432-9906 or visit www.artsnwfl.org .

• Pensacola Beach Features the Blue Angels Air Show. July 14-15, 2006. The biggest event of Pensacola's summer festivities includes the world-famous Blue Angels. Rehearsal will be held July 14th followed by the main show on July 15th. Supported by civilian and military performers, the show is a must-see event. Free admission . Call (850) 932-1500 or visit www.visitpensacolabeach.com for further information.

SEPTEMBER
• Pensacola Seafood Festival. September 22-24, 2006 . Sample a variety of mouth-watering seafood dishes, enjoy continuous live entertainment in Fountain Park, and start your holiday shopping early at more than 185 arts & crafts vendors. Call (850) 433-6512 or visit www.fiestaoffiveflags.org

OCTOBER
• Pensacola Interstate Fair. October19-29, 2006. The Pensacola Interstate Fair features big-name entertainment in addition to games, rides, agricultural, and education-oriented exhibits and displays. General admission: $8 for ages 12 and older, $2 ages 4-11, free for under 4 years. Admission price includes entertainment. 6655 Mobile Highway. Call (850) 944-4500 or visit www.pensacolafair.com .

• Redfish Series Championship. October 19-21, 2006. Top anglers compete in this exciting champonship fishing tournament.  www.flwoutdoors.com

• 16th Annual Historic Haunted House Walking Tours. October 2006. A family favorite for Halloween, the narrated tours are led by costumed guides, visiting over 50 different sites around the Seville and North Hill historic districts. Make reservations early by calling the Pensacola Historical Society at (850) 433-1559, and visit www.pensacolahistory.org .

NOVEMBER
• Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival. November 3-5, 2006. Hosting more than 200 fine art and craft exhibitors from around the country, this festival attracts 150,000 art fans to Pensacola's historic Seville Square in Downtown Pensacola. Also features a children's arts festival and exceptional food and drink. Consistently ranked in the top 100 fine art and craft shows in the Art Fair Source Book. Free admission. Visit www.ggaf.org .

• Greek Festival. November 10-12, 2006 . One of Pensacola's largest and most popular outdoor events celebrates its 43rd anniversary this year. Traditional Greek dances, gifts, entertainment, and dishes such as baklava, gyros, and spanakopeta. Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 1720 W. Garden St. Call (850) 433-2662 or visit www.annunciationgoc.org .

• Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Pensacola Naval Air Station, November 10-11, 2006. With Pensacola as its home base, the Navy's precision flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, performs its final show of the season at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Free admission. (850) 452-BLUE (2583) or www.blueangels.navy.mil

• The Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival, November 2-12, 2006 . Musicians from all over the world bring magical music to the Gulf Coast in November. Participating venues range from Pensacola to Magnolia Springs, Ala. Music of all genres will be performed throughout the festival, which serves as a time for hit writers, aspiring newcomers, and an audience that appreciates great music to come together. Call (850) 492-7664 or visit www.fbisf.com .

• Gallery Night - "Light Up the Night," November 17, 2006. Jump start the holiday season with an evening of arts and culture. Enjoy refreshments and live entertainment while touring downtown art galleries. Sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida, trolley stops along the way provide free transportation and there is no admission fee. Call (850) 432-9906 or visit www.artsnwfl.org.

• Pensacola Bay International Film & Television Festival. TBD 2006. Four days of great films, awards, and celebrity appearances. Submissions include feature films, documentaries, animations, and shorts. Call (850) 432-9022 or visit www.pensacolafilmfestival.com

DECEMBER
• Winterfest Trolley Tours, TBD . Trolleys act as theaters taking passengers to a series of interactive performances at twenty-two locations along a two-mile route in Historic Downtown Pensacola. Dozens of local businesses and residents bring to life favorite scenes from holiday movies, characters, and songs. $10 per person, $8 for seniors and military, $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations recommend. Call (850) 435–0914 or visit www.pensacolawinterfest.org

• 38th Annual Snowball Derby, December 2006. Auto racing fans will delight in the action at Five Flags Speedway. The annual Snowball Derby has drawn enthusiasts for more than 30 years as the event traditionally brings to a close the racing season throughout the United States. Call (850) 944-8400 or visit www.fiveflagsspeedway.com for details.

• ZOOLights. Thanksgiving through New Year's. The ZOO in Gulf Breeze hosts this event with holiday and animal scenes decorated with more than a million lights. Nightly entertainment rounds out the fun. Call (850) 932-2229, or visit www.the-zoo.com . 

The above information was taken from the Official Visit Pensacloa site, so for more great Pensacola Beach information and up to date information about local events, be sure to check out the Visit Pensacloa site.