The holidays are almost upon us and soon we'll be turning on the holiday lights for the First City Lights Festival, immediately following the Winterfest Elf Parade on Friday, Nov. 23. Our historic streets are at their most beautiful under the glow of twinkling lights, and downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, bars and attractions are welcoming holiday shoppers with open arms. 

Black Friday is almost here. Prepare yourself. If thinking about a dizzying crush of frantic shoppers makes your head spin, may we suggest shopping along the historic streets of downtown Pensacola, where you can stroll at your own pace and browse an eclectic mix of unique shops, boutiques and galleries? The heart of the city is at its most festive this time of year, when the “traffic” you’ll encounter will likely include a miniature replica train, a holiday trolley, a horse-drawn carriage and, possibly, a gaggle of Segways.

On Black Friday the Downtown Improvement Board's annual holiday lighting ceremony will kick-off the First City Lights Festival, a season-long lineup of  diverse holiday events that range from Ballet Pensacola’s “The Nutcracker and a “Little Spruce” makers market,  to Christmas lights tours with Go Retro, Winterfest trolley performance tours, O'Riley's Holiday Pub Crawl and many others.

Downtown Pensacola has become a beacon for local artists looking to make a visual and cultural impact in their community. The historic buildings and picturesque landscapes allow our cultural hub to celebrate artwork in many different forms. Discover the galleries, murals, and public art projects that provide a modern twist to “Florida’s Greatest Place.”

Pensacola boasts a rich culinary scene, and there is no shortage of eclectic food options nestled along downtown streets. From southern comfort food to Middle Eastern cuisine, there is a spot to satisfy virtually any culinary craving, so take a trip off the “eaten path” discover a few of our favorite downtown dining spots.