Summer Things to Do This Week in Pensacola
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(May 17–24, 2026)
Summer crowds and beach season continue building around Pensacola and Pensacola Beach this week, with free concerts, glow kayaking, waterfront dining, wellness events, and historic tall ships all happening along the Gulf Coast.
From live music on the beach to rare public ship tours downtown, here are five things to check out around the area this week.
Bands on the Beach
Tuesday, May 19
7 PM – 9 PM
Pensacola Beach Gulfside Pavilion
Pensacola Beach’s free weekly concert series continues Tuesday night with reggae band Vibe Irie performing directly on the beach at the Gulfside Pavilion.
Bands on the Beach remains one of the most popular recurring summer events on Pensacola Beach, bringing large crowds out weekly for live music right along the sand. Most people bring lawn chairs or blankets and stay through sunset while restaurants and bars around the Boardwalk stay busy throughout the evening.
More info:
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/news/bands-on-the-beach-2026-lineup-pensacola-beach
Glow Paddle Night Kayaking
Nightly Tours
Pensacola Beach
Glow Paddle continues nightly glow-in-the-dark kayaking tours around Pensacola Beach as warmer evenings settle into the Gulf Coast.
The illuminated kayaks and paddleboards light up the water after dark, creating one of the most unique nighttime activities in the area. Calm spring and early summer evenings usually provide some of the best conditions of the year for the experience.
Run, Roast & Refresh Wellness Social
Saturday, May 23
8 AM – 11 AM
Laguna’s Adventure Park
Run, Roast & Refresh returns to Pensacola Beach this Saturday morning with a mix of fitness classes, recovery activities, wellness vendors, cold plunges, yoga, coffee, smoothies, beach workouts, giveaways, and social events.
The event combines a casual beach wellness atmosphere with optional activities including a 5K run, group walk, fitness challenges, recovery demos, stretching sessions, and local health-focused vendors throughout the morning. Laguna’s beach setting and waterfront location make it one of the more unique wellness events happening around Pensacola Beach this spring.
Location:
460 Pensacola Beach Blvd
Visit the Tall Ships Downtown
Saturday & Sunday
Downtown Pensacola Waterfront
Two historic tall ships will be connected to Pensacola this weekend as the Tall Ship ELISSA and the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle arrive along the downtown waterfront.
Public tours for the Eagle have officially been announced:
Saturday: 1 PM – 4 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 7 PM
The ELISSA will also be open for tours throughout the weekend at Palafox Pier. The ships offer a rare chance to walk aboard historic sailing vessels while they are docked in Pensacola Harbor.
More info:
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/news/coast-guard-eagle-pensacola-2026
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/news/tall-ship-elissa-pensacola-2026Home Sweet Home
Sunset Dinner + Live Music on Pensacola Beach
Nightly
Pensacola Beach
With calmer evenings and warmer weather settling in, this is one of the better weeks so far this season for sunset dinners along Pensacola Beach.
Many waterfront restaurants across the beach area feature outdoor seating, sunset views, and live music throughout the week, especially around Casino Beach, the Boardwalk, and Quietwater areas. The combination of sunset weather, beach crowds, and summer music schedules is starting to give Pensacola Beach its full summer atmosphere again.
Best beach dining spots:
https://www.mustdopensacola.com/beach-dining
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