What's Happening

Season Your Holidays with Island Spirit

Season your holidays with island spirit on Pensacola Beach, Florida. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the season and enjoy the laid back appeal of holiday events island-style. The month-long family festival includes a Kowabunga Breakfast with Santa, a lighted boat parade, island caroling on a double-decker bus and the Surfing Santa Beach parade with plentiful treats.

Travelers on a budget can enjoy great holiday lodging deals and a laid-back appeal during December. This coastal retreat offers a place to stay for every style and budget, from spacious penthouse suites to cozy bungalows to family and-pet-friendly rentals. Each hotel, motel and condo on our beach is close to the Gulf or the Santa Rosa Sound, so most everyone gets a view.

The calendar of events for November 29 - January 1 is as follows:

  • Lighted boat paradeSeason Lights Up. 6 p.m., Nov. 29 at north lawn Visitor Information Center. Santa Rosa Island twinkles with holiday lights as businesses and residents add a dash of Island spirit with festive decorations. A tree-lighting ceremony will follow with caroling at the Quietwater Bandshell on the boardwalk.

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  • Children's Coloring Contest & Passport to Santa's Island kick off. Dec. 1. Limitless imaginations guide small hands in creating Island holiday works of art. Coloring sheets are available at the Visitor’s Information Center, Island Style and beach hotels, and will be displayed in Island Style’s Tropical Christmas Room. Grab a passport at these same locations and be a traveler on Santa's Island.

  • Kowabunga Breakfast with Surfing Santa. 8 a.m, Dec. 6 at Surf Burger. This Santa has a surfboard sled! Kids should have their wish lists ready to present to Santa.

  • Christmas Cantata. 10 a.m., Dec. 7 at the Beach Community Church. Enjoy traditional, seasonal music that delight the eardrums.

  • Gingerbread House Make-and-Take. Noon - 2 p.m., Dec. 7 at Tiki Island. Kids are invited to decorate their own gingerbread house with delicious holiday sweets. All materials will be provided.

  • 'Tis The Season Open House. 2 - 4 p.m., Dec. 7 at Lee Tracy on the Boardwalk. Experience Lee Tracy's southern charm. Hospitality is the norm, and shopping is hassle free. Goodies will be given away for kids of all ages, and Santa will be on-hand for photos and gift requests for the kids who have been "nice" this year.

  • Joy For The Beach Production. 7 p.m., Dec. 9 at Our Lady Catholic Church. Get in the holiday spirit as you listen to favorite seasonal tunes from high-energy performers costumed for the occasion.

  • Lighted Boat Parade. 7 p.m., Dec. 12. The sparkling spectacle of decorated vessels parading against the dark December sky delights those watching from the shore along the Boardwalk. Boat captains compete for prizes as the nautical parade officially delivers Santa Claus to the Island.

  • Ornament Making. 9 - 10:30 a.m., Dec. 13 at Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach. Craft ornaments. Create memories. Beach starfish and sand dollars transform into treasured holiday keepsakes.

  • Island Style Tropical Holiday Open House. 4 - 6 p.m., Dec. 13 at Island Style. Island Style welcomes visitors to get caught up in the holiday spirit in their Christmas Room with cookies, cider and original art by coloring contestants. Winners of coloring contest announced.

  • Island Caroling on a Double-decker Bus. 6 p.m., Dec. 13 beginning at Flounder's Chowder House. Bring your singing voice. Carolers travel island-style in a double-decker bus along the palm-lined avenues of Pensacola Beach.

  • Gingerbread House Make-and-Take. Noon - 2 p.m., Dec. 14 at Tiki Island. Kids are invited to decorate their own gingerbread house with delicious holiday sweets. All materials will be provided.

    • Roy Jones, Jr. - Grand Marshall
  • Surfing Santa Beach Parade. 2 p.m., Dec. 14. Delightfully decorated floats wind their way down the Island's main street sharing holiday joy, candy and trinkets. Santa oversees festivities from high atop his bright red fire engine, which will deliver him to the Gulfside Pavilion for visits with kids. Roy Jones, Jr. will be this year's Grand Marshall!

  • Adult Coloring Contest. 6 p.m., Dec. 20 at Sandshaker. Grab your crayons and channel your inner artist for a fun coloring contest for adults only. Prizes will be awarded to the most imaginative. The winner will lead the Rudolph’s Red Nose Ramble.

  • Rudolph's Red Nose Ramble to Bamboo Willie's. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20. Start at the Shaker. Ramble, walk or amble to Sabine Sandbar for Island Eggnog, then to Bamboo Willie's. Follow the Red Nose. Adults 21 and over only.

  • Santa Claus Look Alike Contest. 8 p.m., Dec. 20 at Bamboo Willie's. If people call you "jolly" and you look great in red, you won't want to miss. Prizes will be awarded for the best jolly ole' St. Nick. Categories for Ms. Claus and other Christmas characters. Adults only.

    • Santa on boardwalk with little girl
  • Santa and His Paparazzi Photo Session at Island Style. 2 - 4 p.m., Dec. 21. One last chance to visit Santa before he makes his list and checks it twice. The sweet smell of peppermint candy canes will lead you right to his lap for a photo with the merry old elf.

  • Candlelight and Carols. 6 p.m, Dec. 24 at the Beach Community Church. The choir invites visitors to join in their Island Christmas Eve tradition of caroling by candlelight.

  • New Year's Eve Celebrations. December 31. Islanders know how to ring in the New Year. Parties are hosted throughout the island.

  • Polar Bear Plunge. 2 p.m., Jan. 1 at Paradise Bar & Grill. The emerald waters of Santa Rosa Sound are filled with those hardy souls who wade, swim and scurry to the finish line. Heaping bowls of black-eyed peas wait to warm them. Entry fee benefits the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Lodging specials include: