Things to Do in Pensacola This Labor Day Weekend
BEACH EQUIPMENT DELIVERY
Skip the hassle with GoBeachDay. Beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, paddleboards, and more delivered to your beach access, hotel, condo, vacation rental, or beachfront home.
Labor Day weekend is one of the last big summer weekends around Pensacola, and this year there is plenty happening on Pensacola Beach.
You can watch bathtub boats race across Santa Rosa Sound, see fireworks from the water, go parasailing over the beach, look for dolphins around Pensacola Bay or stay out after dark with Glow Paddle.
Around town, Leanne Morgan is playing two nights at the Pensacola Bay Center and Coastal County Brewing is hosting a three day Oktoberfest celebration.
Here are some of the best things to do in Pensacola this Labor Day weekend.
Watch the Labor Day Fireworks From a Boat
Sunday, September 6
7:30 PM to 8:45 PM
Pensacola Beach
If you are going to book one experience for Labor Day weekend, this is one to reserve early.
Frisky Mermaid is offering a special End of Summer Fireworks Cruise Sunday evening that puts guests on the water for the Pensacola Beach fireworks.
The cruise departs before the show and positions passengers on Pensacola Bay for views of the fireworks over the beach.
Because this is a special September 6 departure rather than an activity you can simply move to another day, availability is limited.
Book the Pensacola Beach Fireworks Cruise
Take a Dolphin Cruise Around Pensacola Bay
Available throughout Labor Day weekend
Pensacola Beach
Dolphin cruises are one of the easiest Pensacola Beach activities to build into a holiday weekend.
Frisky Mermaid takes guests onto Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound aboard a large vessel with indoor and outdoor seating while the crew searches for dolphins and other marine life.
The experience works for couples, families and groups and can easily be paired with lunch, dinner or a few hours on the beach.
Labor Day weekend departures can fill, so checking availability before heading toward Pensacola Beach is recommended.
Book a Pensacola Dolphin Cruise
Go Parasailing Over Pensacola Beach
Available throughout Labor Day weekend
Pensacola Beach
If you want one last big summer experience before fall, take the beach day into the air.
Parasailing gives you elevated views across Pensacola Beach, Santa Rosa Sound and the Gulf while adding an activity that does not take up your entire day.
That makes it especially easy to book during a busy holiday weekend. You can parasail in the morning or afternoon and still have plenty of time for the beach, restaurants and Sunday’s Labor Day events.
Book Pensacola Beach Parasailing
See Leanne Morgan at the Pensacola Bay Center
Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5
7 PM
Pensacola Bay Center
Downtown Pensacola
Leanne Morgan is spending two nights in Pensacola during Labor Day weekend.
Her Time of Our Lives Tour comes to the Pensacola Bay Center Friday and Saturday, giving visitors a major indoor option before the weekend shifts toward Pensacola Beach.
The second Pensacola performance was added after the initial show generated enough demand for another night.
Both shows begin at 7 PM.
Spend an Afternoon at Laguna’s Adventure Park
Available throughout Labor Day weekend
460 Pensacola Beach Blvd.
Pensacola Beach
Families looking for more than a beach chair can spend part of Labor Day weekend at Laguna’s Adventure Park.
The Pensacola Beach attraction includes go karts, ropes courses, zip rails, climbing attractions and a splash pad.
The location near Casino Beach makes Laguna’s particularly easy to work into the weekend. Spend a few hours at the park, grab lunch nearby and then head toward the Boardwalk or beach.
Spend the Weekend at Coastal County Oktoberfest
Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6
Coastal County Brewing Company
3041 E. Olive Road
Pensacola
Oktoberfest season is starting early in Pensacola.
Coastal County Brewing is hosting three days of German inspired food, specialty beer releases, commemorative steins, music and Oktoberfest style competitions.
Saturday’s activities include stein hoisting, keg tossing, pretzel eating and other contests.
Admission and parking are free.
Watch the Pensacola Beach Bathtub Races
Sunday, September 6
2 PM to 4 PM
Bamboo Willie’s
Pensacola Beach
Yes, Pensacola Beach races bathtubs for Labor Day weekend.
The Beach Famous Bathtub Races take over Santa Rosa Sound behind Bamboo Willie’s Sunday afternoon as teams attempt to race homemade bathtub vessels across the water.
The races have become one of Pensacola Beach’s more unusual annual traditions and are free to watch from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
See our complete Pensacola Beach Bathtub Races guide
Go Glow Paddling After Sunset
Available throughout Labor Day weekend
Pensacola Beach Resort
Pensacola Beach
A Pensacola Beach day does not have to end when the sun goes down.
Glow Paddle takes guests onto the protected waters around Pensacola Beach Resort in clear kayaks illuminated with waterproof LED lights.
Sessions last around 45 minutes, making this one of the easiest evening activities to add after dinner or after spending the afternoon on the beach.
It works well for couples, families and groups without requiring a large time or price commitment.
Book Glow Paddle on Pensacola Beach
See Flux Pavilion at Laguna’s Sunday Night
Sunday, September 6
8 PM to 1 AM
Laguna’s Tiki Deck
Pensacola Beach
Labor Day weekend gets louder Sunday night when Flux Pavilion and Yookie take over the Tiki Deck at Laguna’s.
The 18 and older event begins at 8 PM and continues until 1 AM.
That creates an easy full Sunday on Pensacola Beach: spend the afternoon at Laguna’s, watch the Bathtub Races, catch the fireworks and then finish the night with Flux Pavilion.
Build a Full Labor Day Weekend on Pensacola Beach
If the weather cooperates, this is a weekend where booking one or two activities ahead of time makes sense.
For Saturday, start with parasailing or a dolphin cruise, spend the afternoon on the beach and head out for Glow Paddle after dinner.
Sunday is even easier to build around.
Watch the Bathtub Races from 2 PM to 4 PM, spend the late afternoon around the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and then board the Frisky Mermaid End of Summer Fireworks Cruise before the 8 PM show.
The holiday specific fireworks cruise is the activity we would book first because there is only one chance to do it this weekend.
Book the End of Summer Fireworks Cruise
For even more concerts, festivals and Labor Day weekend events, check the Must Do Pensacola events calendar.
You can also explore more bookable cruises, attractions and water activities in our Best Things to Do in Pensacola guide.
If this guide helped you plan your trip, you can support Must Do Pensacola by grabbing a sticker.
Buy sticker