The winter holidays are especially festive in Pensacola, with kick-off events starting the day after Thanksgiving and lasting all the way through the month of December. \u00a0At the extreme far northwest corner of the State of Florida, on what is known as the Florida Panhandle, lies the sea port city of Pensacola. Located on Pensacola Bay and protected by the barrier island of Santa Rosa, this historic city, called \u201cThe City of Five Flags\u201d has a rich history.\u00a0 Close to the Gulf of Mexico and originally settled in 1559, Pensacola has been ruled by five different governments:\u00a0\u00a0 Spain, France, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. The soft, white sand of the panhandle also earns Pensacola the area with the \u201cWorld\u2019s Whitest Beaches\u201d.\u00a0 Snow is rare, but is not out of the question.<\/p>\n
Here are a few highlights to help you plan your visit:<\/p>\n
The Pensacola Beach Lighted Boat Parade<\/strong> \u2013 Saturday, December 3rd<\/sup> at 6:30 pm. Festive boats travel from Little Sabine Bay, around Santa Rosa Sound then to the Beach Boardwalk, finishing with fireworks.<\/p>\n Pensacola Christmas Parade<\/strong> \u2013 Saturday, December 10th<\/sup> at 5:15 pm. In its 34th<\/sup> year, the parade features the Blue Angels Flight Squadron, marching bands and other treats.<\/p>\n Lear\/Rocheblave Home<\/strong> \u2013 Adults and children will enjoy learning holiday traditions in the 19th<\/sup> century taking a tour of this historic home, decorated for the season.\u00a0 Tours are available until December 17th<\/sup> on Tuesdays and Saturdays.<\/p>\n Winterfest Performance Trolley Tours<\/strong> \u2013 Climb aboard the trolley for a 60-minute theatrical performance. This moving show makes stops along the way through the downtown area, bringing holiday cheer to the entire neighborhood.<\/p>\n New Year\u2019s Eve<\/strong> \u2013 Celebrate Pensacola-style on December 31st<\/sup> with illuminated streets, fireworks, and a festive pelican counts down the new year from his perch high in the sky.<\/p>\n For accommodations:<\/p>\n The Holiday Beach Resort-Soundside<\/strong>. This RCI Gold Crown Award winning resort is located in the heart of the town on Santa Rosa Sound.\u00a0 Comfortable 2 bedroom 2 bath condominium units feature full kitchen, washer\/dryer, dishwasher, WIFI. Enjoy the view of the sunset and glistening water from a screened porch.\u00a0 On-site beach, pier, fishing, heated swimming pool, tennis court, gas barbecue grills and outdoor hot tub.\u00a0 Conveniently located close to Casino Beach, Gulf Island National Seashore, Portofino Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier, National Naval Aviation Museum and IMAX Theatre, Pensacola Lighthouse and so much more.<\/p>\n –Contributed by C. Golden<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The winter holidays are especially festive in Pensacola, with kick-off events starting the day after Thanksgiving and lasting all the way through the month of December. \u00a0At the extreme far northwest corner of the State of Florida, on what is known as the Florida Panhandle, lies the sea port city of Pensacola. Located on Pensacola […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n