Things to Do This Weekend in Pensacola: September 18 Through 20, 2026
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If you have been waiting for a weekend with a little bit of everything, this is a good one.
Downtown Pensacola has Gallery Night and three days of waterfront jazz, Pensacola Beach is filling up with Corvettes, UWF football is back at PenAir Field and there are a couple of completely different nighttime options if you want something beyond the usual dinner plans.
Here are some of the best things to do around Pensacola this weekend.
Gallery Night: Viva Pensacola Latino Festival
Friday, September 18
5 PM to 9 PM
Downtown Pensacola
Gallery Night takes over downtown Friday evening with its September theme, Viva Pensacola: Latino Festival.
More than 70 art vendors are expected throughout the Gallery Night footprint along with live music, food, performances and other creative experiences. This month’s event is being held alongside Pensacola’s annual Latino Festival in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Latino Festival portion adds food, music and cultural performances representing countries throughout Latin America, with Sonora Dinamita scheduled as the featured live act.
Gallery Night is free and open to all ages.
If you are looking for something to do Friday night without buying a ticket, this is probably one of the easiest picks of the weekend.
Gulf Coast Summer Fest Jazz Edition
Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20
Gates open at 1 PM
Music begins around 2 PM
Community Maritime Park
301 W. Main Street
Pensacola
One of Pensacola’s biggest music weekends of September takes over Community Maritime Park for three days.
The Gulf Coast Summer Fest Jazz Edition is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a lineup of jazz, R&B and contemporary instrumental artists performing on the downtown waterfront.
Friday’s lineup includes Eric Darius, Julian Vaughn, Jazmin Ghent and Pieces of a Dream.
Saturday brings Rick Braun, Vincent Ingala, Jazz Funk Soul and Marcus Miller.
Sunday closes the weekend with Jeff Bradshaw, Brian Simpson, Richard Elliot, Adam Hawley and Boney James.
Guests can bring lawn chairs, coolers and approved umbrellas, and food vendors will also be onsite. The festival is for ages 18 and older.
See More Than 200 Corvettes on Pensacola Beach
Saturday, September 19
8 AM to 2:30 PM
Casino Beach
Pensacola Beach
Casino Beach turns into a Corvette show Saturday morning.
The 23rd annual Vettes at the Beach brings more than 200 Corvettes to Pensacola Beach, with everything from early generation classics to newer C7 and C8 models expected around the Beach Ball water tower.
Visitors can walk through the display areas throughout the morning and early afternoon, with raffles and trophy presentations scheduled around 2:30 PM.
The event has grown into a destination weekend for Corvette owners, but you definitely do not need to own one to come check out the cars.
See our complete Vettes at the Beach guide
Watch UWF Football at PenAir Field
Saturday, September 19
6 PM
PenAir Field
University of West Florida
UWF football is back at home Saturday night.
The Argos take on Austin Peay at PenAir Field as part of UWF Family Weekend, with kickoff scheduled for 6 PM.
If you have not been to a game at PenAir Field yet, this is an easy Saturday night option for anyone wanting live sports without leaving Pensacola.
The game is scheduled to run until approximately 9 PM.
Go to an 80s Murder Mystery Dinner
Saturday, September 19
Doors open at 6 PM
Show begins at 7 PM
Seville Quarter
130 E. Government Street
Pensacola
Saturday night at Seville Quarter is going completely 1980s.
The Totally 80s Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre drops guests into a fictional 1988 high school homecoming dance where everyone has to help investigate a murder.
Guests will question suspects, look for clues and try to solve the case while having dinner inside Heritage Hall.
Tickets are listed at $69 and include dinner.
If you are looking for a date night that is a little different from the usual dinner and drinks, this one certainly qualifies.
Stargaze for Free on Pensacola Beach
Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19
7 PM to 10 PM
Near Gulfside Pavilion
Pensacola Beach
You can also slow things down after sunset this weekend.
Free stargazing is scheduled near the Gulfside Pavilion on both Friday and Saturday night from 7 PM to 10 PM.
These beach stargazing events give visitors a chance to look through telescopes and get a closer look at the night sky without buying a ticket.
It is free, family friendly and easy to pair with dinner or an afternoon on Pensacola Beach.
Weather and cloud cover can affect viewing, so check conditions before heading out.
Make a Weekend Out of It
Friday is especially easy to build around downtown Pensacola.
Start with Gallery Night and the Latino Festival, then catch live music downtown or head over to Community Maritime Park for Gulf Coast Summer Fest.
Saturday could begin with Vettes at the Beach, followed by UWF football, the murder mystery dinner or free stargazing after dark.
And if you are keeping Sunday open, Gulf Coast Summer Fest continues through the evening with another full day of music on the waterfront.
For more festivals, concerts and local events, check the Must Do Pensacola Events Calendar.
Looking for something you can book outside the event schedule? Browse cruises, tours, watersports and local attractions in our Best Things to Do in Pensacola guide.
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