Things to Do in Pensacola in July 2026
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uly is one of the biggest months of the summer around Pensacola.
The month begins with America’s 250th birthday and fireworks across the Gulf Coast before moving into Shark Week activities, Gallery Night, the Pensacola Beach Air Show, outdoor movies, Monster Jam, and the annual Running of the Bulls through downtown Pensacola.
Here are some of the top things to do around Pensacola this July.
Celebrate the Fourth of July Around Pensacola (July 4th)
merica’s 250th birthday will be celebrated across the Pensacola area with races, live music, family activities, waterfront events, and fireworks.
Downtown Pensacola will host the Firecracker 5K in the morning before Symphony Sparks & Stars and fireworks over Pensacola Bay that evening. Pensacola Beach will have fireworks over Santa Rosa Sound, along with special ways to watch from the water aboard a glow kayak or fireworks cruise.
Navarre Beach, Milton, and the Flora-Bama area will also host Independence Day celebrations.
Scheduled fireworks times include:
Downtown Pensacola
9 PM
Pensacola Beach
9 PM
Navarre Beach
9 PM
Milton
8:30 PM
Perdido Key at Flora-Bama
9 PM
See the full Fourth of July event guide:
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/news/fourth-of-july-events-pensacola-2026
See the complete fireworks schedule:
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/news/fourth-of-july-fireworks-times-pensacola-2026
Science by the Shore: Shark Week (July 12)
Sunday, July 12
Noon to 3 PM
Behind Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach
701 Pensacola Beach Boulevard
Free
Science by the Shore is bringing hands-on marine biology education to the waterfront behind Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach.
The free public program gives families a chance to learn about the marine life found in local waters, from microscopic plankton to larger Gulf Coast ecosystems.
Because the July event falls during Shark Week, the featured activities will focus on sharks and their role in the marine environment.
Visitors can view plankton under a microscope, observe local marine life, use small marine science equipment, and take part in a question-and-answer session about the featured sea creatures.
No registration is required. Guests can stop by at any time between noon and 3 PM.
Pensacola Beach Air Show Week (July 15-18)
Wednesday, July 15 through Saturday, July 18
Pensacola Beach
The Blue Angels return to Pensacola Beach for four days of flight activity during Red, White and Blues Week.
The 2026 event is especially significant because it falls during America’s 250th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
Wednesday, July 15: Breakfast with the Blues
The week begins at approximately 7:30 AM when the Blue Angels arrive over Pensacola Beach and mark the show’s coordinates and center points.
Thursday, July 16: Full Blue Angels Practice
The Blue Angels will perform a complete practice show over Pensacola Beach beginning at 2 PM. Civilian performers are not scheduled for Thursday.
Friday, July 17: Dress Rehearsal
Civilian flight demonstrations and aerobatic performances begin at approximately 10:30 AM. The Blue Angels are scheduled to fly at 2 PM.
Friday follows the same general schedule as the official Saturday show.
Saturday, July 18: Official Pensacola Beach Air Show
The official Pensacola Beach Air Show begins with civilian acts at approximately 10:30 AM. The Blue Angels are scheduled to close the show at 2 PM.
Casino Beach is considered show center and fills early. Visitors should bring water, sunscreen, shade, and everything needed for a long day outside.
Drones and kites are prohibited during air show activity. Gulf waters near the aerobatic box will also be cleared before the performances.
See the tentative flight schedule:
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/news/pensacola-beach-air-show-2026-tentative-schedule
Gallery Night Future Makers (July 17)
Friday, July 17
5 PM to 9 PM
Downtown Pensacola
Gallery Night is turning downtown Pensacola into a showcase for young artists, builders, bakers, creators, and entrepreneurs.
Future Makers: A Family Gallery Night will feature a Youth Entrepreneur Market where young vendors can display and sell their creations in the middle of downtown.
The event will also include the art, music, food vendors, performances, and downtown activity that visitors expect from Gallery Night.
Future Makers is designed to give young people a chance to turn an idea into a real product, meet customers, and experience what it is like to operate their own booth.
Movies in the Park: Zootopia 2 (July 18)
Saturday, July 18
Community Maritime Park
Free
Hancock Whitney Movies in the Park continues in July with a free outdoor showing of Zootopia 2.
The family-friendly evening at Community Maritime Park includes music, yard games, crafts, food trucks, concessions, inflatable waterslides, and face painting before the movie begins.
Pre-show activities and the movie are free. Food and drinks are available for purchase separately.
Families should bring chairs or blankets and arrive early enough to enjoy the activities before settling in for the movie under the stars.
Movie guide:
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/news/movies-in-the-park-pensacola-2026
Running of the Bulls Pensacola (July 25)
Saturday, July 25
9 AM
Seville Quarter
Downtown Pensacola
The 15th Annual Running of the Bulls brings one of downtown Pensacola’s most unusual races back to Seville Quarter.
Instead of actual bulls, runners are chased through the streets by members of West Florida Roller Derby wearing horns, skates, and carrying plastic bats.
The event features a 2K course through downtown Pensacola and supports West Florida Roller Derby, a local nonprofit recreational sports league.
Participants are encouraged to wear white and prepare to run, walk, dodge, and laugh their way through the course.
Registration includes a commemorative race shirt and admission to the after-party at Seville Quarter with complimentary beer and entertainment.
Awards will also be presented for standout costumes and performances.
Register here:
https://runningofthebullspensacola.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=16279
Monster Jam at the Pensacola Bay Center (July 25-26)
Saturday, July 25
1 PM and 7 PM
Sunday, July 26
1 PM
Pensacola Bay Center
201 E. Gregory Street
Monster Jam brings its 12,000-pound trucks, huge jumps, two-wheel skills, and arena-sized stunts back to Pensacola for three performances.
The lineup is expected to feature some of the most recognizable trucks in Monster Jam, including Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, and other fan favorites.
Saturday includes shows at 1 PM and 7 PM. Sunday’s performance begins at 1 PM.
Pit Parties will also be available Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM to noon, giving fans a chance to see the trucks up close, meet drivers and crews, take photos, and get autographs.
Tickets start at $15, and every guest age 2 or older must have a ticket.
Tickets and event details:
https://www.monsterjam.com/en-us/events/pensacola-fl/jul-25-2026-jul-26-2026/
Plan Ahead for July in Pensacola
July brings some of the largest crowds and busiest weekends of the summer to Pensacola.
Anyone attending the Fourth of July celebrations or Pensacola Beach Air Show should arrive early, expect traffic, and prepare for extended time outdoors.
Bring water, sunscreen, hats, and shade for daytime events. Before visiting the beach, check the current beach flags and weather conditions.
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