Things to Do This Week in Pensacola
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(September 21-27)
This is one of the biggest fall weeks of the year around Pensacola.
The Blue Angels are flying Tuesday, Bands on the Beach continues Tuesday night, the Pensacola Seafood Festival takes over downtown all weekend, Navarre has a Halloween themed market Saturday and the FWC Lionfish Invitational brings another waterfront event to Plaza de Luna.
We also worked in a couple of bookable experiences for anyone who would rather build their own plans around the week.
Here are some of the best things to do around Pensacola September 21 through 27.
Watch the Blue Angels From the Water
Tuesday, September 22
Practice around 10:30 AM
Pensacola Bay
The Blue Angels have one hometown practice scheduled this week, and instead of fighting for a spot on the flight line, you can watch the show from the water.
Tuesday’s practice is scheduled for approximately 10:30 AM, with local boat operators offering special Blue Angels practice cruises that position guests around Pensacola Bay for the demonstration.
It is one of the more unique ways to see the Blues and turns the morning practice into a full Pensacola experience.
See Blue Angels boat cruise options
Prefer to watch from land? Our full practice guide covers the schedule, NAS Pensacola access and other viewing locations.
See the Blue Angels practice guide
Catch Bands on the Beach
Tuesday, September 22
7 PM to 9 PM
Gulfside Pavilion
Pensacola Beach
After the Blue Angels fly Tuesday morning, Pensacola Beach has another free event that evening.
Knee Deep Band takes the stage at the Gulfside Pavilion from 7 PM to 9 PM for this week’s Bands on the Beach concert.
Expect a mix of classic rock, Motown, R&B, reggae, country, pop, blues and funk.
Admission is free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and make an evening out of it on Pensacola Beach.
Take a Sunset Sail on Pensacola Bay
Available throughout the week
Pensacola
September evenings are still a great time to get on the water without the middle of summer heat.
Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise offers an easy way to turn an open evening into a sunset trip around Pensacola Bay, with the possibility of spotting dolphins along the way.
This works especially well for a date night, visiting family or anyone who wants something quieter between this week’s larger festivals and events.
Book Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise
Spend the Weekend at the Pensacola Seafood Festival
Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27
Downtown Pensacola
Friday: 11 AM to 11 PM
Saturday: 10 AM to 11 PM
Sunday: 11 AM to 5 PM
One of downtown Pensacola’s biggest annual festivals takes over Seville Square and the surrounding parks this weekend.
The Pensacola Seafood Festival combines Gulf Coast seafood, free live music, chef demonstrations and one of Northwest Florida’s largest arts and crafts markets.
More than 170 artists and craftsmen are expected throughout the festival, while food vendors and local restaurants serve everything from fried Gulf favorites to grilled and blackened seafood.
This year’s free music lineup includes Moon Taxi Friday night and The Molly Ringwalds Saturday night.
Admission to the festival is free.
See our complete Pensacola Seafood Festival guide
Check Out the Pensacola Lionfish Invitational
Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27
Plaza de Luna
Downtown Pensacola
There is another waterfront event happening alongside Seafood Festival weekend.
The FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational brings divers from around the region to Pensacola while also giving the public a chance to learn more about invasive lionfish and Gulf marine life.
The public festival at Plaza de Luna runs Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
If you are already downtown for the Seafood Festival, this is an easy additional stop and something you do not get to see every weekend.
Head to the Navarre Spooktacular Market
Saturday, September 26
10 AM to 5 PM
Navarre Park
8513 Navarre Parkway
Navarre
Halloween season is getting an early start in Navarre this Saturday.
The Navarre Spooktacular Market will bring local vendors, food trucks and family activities to Navarre Park from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Along with shopping from tent vendors, families can expect a bounce house, face painting and a festive fall and Halloween atmosphere around the park.
Admission is free, making this an easy Saturday stop if you are looking for something casual to do with the family.
The market is presented by Apex Shows and Events.
Dig Through the Fall Big Book Sale
Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27
Pensacola Library
239 N. Spring Street
Downtown Pensacola
Book lovers have three days to dig through thousands of used books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs during the Friends of the West Florida Public Library Fall Big Book Sale.
Friday runs from 3 PM to 7 PM.
Saturday runs from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Sunday runs from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Prices drop as the weekend continues, with Sunday featuring the popular fill a bag sale.
See our guide to the Pensacola Fall Library Book Sale
Make a Week Out of It
Tuesday alone gives you a pretty strong Pensacola day: watch the Blue Angels from the water in the morning and come back to Pensacola Beach for Bands on the Beach that night.
Then things really pick up heading into the weekend.
Downtown has the Seafood Festival, Lionfish Invitational and Fall Big Book Sale, while the Navarre Spooktacular Market gives families another fall option Saturday with vendors, food trucks and Halloween activities.
And if you want to avoid a schedule altogether, grab an open evening and get on the water for a sunset sail.
For more concerts, festivals and local events, check the Must Do Pensacola Events Calendar.
Looking for something you can book anytime? Browse more cruises, attractions and local experiences in our Best Things to Do in Pensacola guide.
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