Here comes Santa Claus (and the Grinch), right down Palafox Street! Just like the iconic Christmas song, all will be merry and bright beginning Nov. 4 as Downtown Pensacola lights up with the launch of a seven-week celebration of holiday magic. With dazzling lights, festive shopping, family fun, and a jolly lineup of events, it’s beginning to feel a lot like the holidays in the heart of the city.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

The fun starts at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 4, when Santa arrives downtown in front of the grand Christmas tree at the Pensacola Museum of History (weather permitting). Families can snap selfies and share wish lists until 4:45 p.m., when Santa helps to flip the switch that lights up downtown for the season and then makes his way along Palafox to pop into local shops.

HOLIDAY LIGHTING CEREMONY

At 5 p.m., the Downtown Improvement Board, with support from City of Pensacola, will illuminate more than a half-million holiday lights along Palafox Street and beyond. You can catch the magic with Santa and the Grinch from Winterfest right in front of the Museum of History or from viewing spots all along the Palafox corridor. Be on the lookout for Winterfest’s charming mini-train, circling Plaza Ferdinand from 5–8 p.m. Then, stay downtown to shop, stroll, and soak up the festive glow.

PALAFOX MARKET HOLIDAY LIGHTS EDITION

The evening also marks the kick-off of the Palafox Market Holiday Lights Edition, from 3:30 p.m. – 8p.m. in Plaza Ferdinand, with local vendors offering locally produced gifts, baked goods and art. 

10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HAUL

The most magical shopping night of the year returns Nov. 4 with the 10th Annual Holiday Haul on Palafox! It’s a holiday open house from 
5 p.m.  - 8 p.m. that invites visitors to explore downtown’s boutiques and shops and enjoy live music, pop-ups, giveaways and holiday treats—and maybe even spot Santa spreading cheer (and selfies) along the way. Shoppers will also earn double entries for every $10 spent in the “All I Want” Holiday Giveaway. 

Enjoy free trolley rides during Holiday Haul! Hop aboard, explore downtown, and make it easy to shop local and discover your favorite downtown businesses throughout the event.

Participating Downtown Merchants:
AJ’s Market & Ice Crean
Artesana
Blue Angels Foundation
Blue Morning Gallery
Bluetique
Blush and Needle Society
Bodacious Shops
Bodacious Book Store 
Bubba’s Sweet Spot 
Colette
Corals Closet 
Don Alans 
First City Bee Company
Gray Boutique 
Hemline
Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique
Innerlight Surf Shop 
Monkee’s of Pensacola 
Noteworthy 
Paradise Point Needle Point 
Peterbrooke Chocolatere
Pure Pilates 
Rusted Arrow Mercantile 
Sarah Soule Webb Studio 
Tijon 
Voema

THE “ALL I WANT” HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY

The ever-popular “All I Want” Holiday Giveaway launches Nov. 4 and runs through Dec. 20, presented by the Downtown Improvement Board and local merchants. Shoppers can earn entries for every $10 spent at participating downtown businesses, with weekly prizes and a $1,000 grand prize in downtown gift cards.

Spend local and you could win anything from dinners and spa treatments to original art, clothing, and more. On Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 28), shoppers will earn double entries for every $10 spent. For complete rules and details, visit www.downtownpensacola.com/AllIWant.

PARKING AND VISITOR INFO

$1/hour paid curbside parking from the City of Pensacola will be widely available. City of Pensacola curbside parking spots are just $1/hour (Tues-Thurs) $1.75/hour (Fri after 6pm & Sat), $1.75/hour in the Jefferson St. Parking Garage, with FREE parking (Sun & Mon) and at Select Parking Lots. Find all City parking spots on the interactive map, rates and details at www.parkpensacola.com.