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Downtown holiday tours, live performances, Santa visits and the free Elf Parade begin in November and continue through Christmas Eve.
Pensacola Winterfest will bring holiday trolley tours, character encounters, Santa photos, live performances and artificial snow to downtown Pensacola on select nights from November 20 through December 24.
Ticketed experiences include the Polar Express Tour, Grinch’s Merry Match, the Peanuts Tour and the Christmas week Scrooge and Marley Tour. The free Elf Parade and Christmas Jubilee will take place November 27.
Winterfest Dates
Winterfest activities are scheduled for the following dates:
November 20, 22, 27 and 28
December 4, 5, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24
Most activities are centered around Plaza Wonderland at the Old Escambia County Courthouse:
223 S. Palafox Place
Pensacola, Florida 32502
The Winterfest Holiday Special begins at 5 p.m. on tour nights. Tour and photo times vary and should be selected through the official ticket calendar.
Four Holiday Tours
The Polar Express Tour begins with a musical show and hot chocolate before guests board an open air tram for a holiday ride through downtown. The complete experience lasts approximately 25 minutes.
Grinch’s Merry Match features the Grinch, Thing 1, Thing 2, Martha May Whovier and the Mayor of Whoville. Winterfest recommends it for children age 6 and older and guests comfortable with a slightly more exciting experience.
The Peanuts Tour follows Charlie Brown and the Peanuts characters through a Christmas story centered on finding the perfect tree.
The Scrooge and Marley Tour presents characters from “A Christmas Carol” and operates during Christmas week. Organizers recommend it for guests age 6 and older because it includes ghosts and mildly spooky moments.
Polar Express Ticket Prices
Polar Express prices vary by date and demand.
The currently published child price begins at $9 on November 20 and 22. Adult tickets for those dates begin at $15.
Later November dates are currently listed from $14 to $16 for children and $19 to $24 for adults. December prices vary by night.
For Winterfest ticketing, adults are guests age 11 and older. Child tickets apply to guests age 10 and younger. Children age 24 months or younger may ride free on a parent’s lap.
Prices and availability can change as individual departures fill. Families should use the live ticket calendar to confirm the total before purchasing.
Free Elf Parade and Christmas Jubilee
The free Pensacola Elf Parade will take place Friday, November 27.
Parade lineup begins at 12:30 p.m. near Government Street and Palafox Place. Contest judging begins at 1:25 p.m., and the parade steps off at 2 p.m.
Participants can wear elf costumes, decorate wagons or strollers and enter holiday costume contests. Evening Winterfest tours begin later that day, so families can attend both the daytime parade and a ticketed tour.
Parade participation and viewing are free.
Santa, the Grinch and the Christmas Special
Winterfest will offer reserved photo experiences with Santa and the Grinch on select nights.
A new Winterfest Christmas Special featuring Sam the Snowman and dancing reindeer will be performed on Palafox during the 2026 season. The live show is free and begins at 5 p.m. on tour nights.
Artificial snow is part of the Plaza Wonderland experience. The complete snow schedule can vary, so families should check the night’s calendar before arriving.
Parking and Downtown Transportation
Winterfest is based around the intersection of Palafox Place and Government Street.
The City of Pensacola offers a free downtown parking circulator on Friday and Saturday evenings. Visitors can park on North Palafox Street or at Commendencia Landing and ride the circulator to destinations along Palafox.
Street spaces and public garages are also available downtown. Drivers should check posted prices and restrictions because parking rules vary by location and time.
Tour reservations have assigned departure times. Allow enough time to park, reach Plaza Wonderland and check in before the scheduled experience.
Plan Early for Popular Nights
Winterfest offers both free activities and ticketed experiences, making it possible to visit Plaza Wonderland without purchasing every attraction.
Families primarily interested in the tours should reserve early, especially for Thanksgiving weekend and the final nights before Christmas. Those looking for a free outing can attend the Christmas Special, artificial snow activities or the November 27 Elf Parade.
Review the official calendar, compare the tours and purchase tickets for your preferred night before the most popular departures sell out.
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