Published on : Thursday, February 14, 2013
As a city that loves to celebrate, the Pensacola Bay Area, Florida provides visitors and locals alike with a full calendar of festivals and events to look forward to in 2013. History buffs will delight in the Pensacola Bay Area’s specialty events celebrating Florida’s 500th Anniversary celebration, titled ¡Viva Pensacola! With events and festivals that showcase the freshest Gulf Coast seafood and specialty cocktails; unique athletic events; celebrations of various holidays; and quirky traditions, such as tossing a mullet across state lines or racing in a bathtub, attendees will find there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the Pensacola Bay Area.
Following are the special events for March – December 2013
McGuire’s 5K Prediction Run. March 9.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida With more than 5,000 participants, it’s the nation’s largest prediction run. The fastest runner, most accurate prediction time and best costume receive awards. After your run, stick around for authentic Irish music and tastings of McGuire’s signature bean soup and Irish Wake, as well as McGuire’s self-brewed beer, at the post-run party! 
(850) 433-6789, www.mcguiresirishpub.com
Perdido Key Wine and Art Festival. March 22-23.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Enjoy samplings of wine, paired with cheeses and fruits, while perusing local arts-and-craft vendors. (850) 492-4660, www.visitperdido.com
¡Viva Pensacola Jazz! April 1-7.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Enjoy a week-long celebration of the Pensacola Bay Area’s rich history and the 30th Anniversary of Jazz Pensacola, packed with live gospel, blues and jazz performances from national, regional and local performers. (850) 433-8382, www.jazzpensacola.com
Gallery Night. April 5.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida As part of ¡Viva Pensacola Jazz!, enjoy an evening of art and culture while live jazz echoes through the streets of downtown Pensacola. (850) 434-5371, www.downtownpensacola.com
Crawfish Festival on Portofino Boardwalk. April 12-08.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Spend your weekend sipping frozen drinks, savoring spicy crawfish and listening to live music. (850) 932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
Pensacola Wine Festival. April 19-21.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Taste a plethora of wines from every style and body from every region of the world. (850)-434-5371, www.pensacolawinefestival.com
29th Annual Pensacola Crawfish Festival. May 3-5.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Experience one of the largest crawfish boils in Florida at this annual event boasting fresh, spicy crawfish, authentic bayou country entertainment and arts and crafts tents featuring local and regional artists. (850) 433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
Fiesta Family Weekend. May 18-19.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida A weekend-long event consisting of a treasure hunt, sand sculpting contest and many more fun activities for the whole family! (850) 433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
Fiesta Days Celebration. May 30-June 7.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida This ten-day annual event celebrates the founding of Pensacola with a boat parade, street parade, parties, sand-sculpting contest and more. (850) 433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
Pensacola Bud Light Fishing Rodeo. June 22-23.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida One of the largest two-day boat fishing events in the Gulf of Mexico, anglers will compete for some of the largest king mackerel, redfish, flounder, speckled trout and cobia. Take-off and weigh-in occurs at Flounder’s Chowder House on Pensacola Beach. www.pensacolakingmack.com
4th of July Celebration. July 4.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida This All-American event, held in downtown Pensacola, is one of the largest 4th of July celebrations on the Gulf Coast. Fireworks can also be seen on Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach. (850) 434-1234, www.visitpensacola.com
Fiesta de San Fermin and Running of the Bulls. July 18-20.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Showcasing Pensacola’s Spanish history and culture includes a spin on the traditional Encierro. Enjoy Spanish music, food and drink at this annual family-friendly event.
Jamaican Fest. Aug. 30-Sept. 1.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Featuring live music, The Kids Zone, a sidewalk sale, the “Anything that Floats” race and bathtub races in Santa Rosa Sound. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
6th Annual Taste of the Beach. Sept. 08-15. Sample delicious island fare from local chefs at this open- air event held on Pensacola Beach at Casino Beach. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
36th Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival. Sept. 27-29.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Explore Seville Square and find original pieces from arts and crafts vendors, taste a variety of the freshest Gulf Coast seafood dishes, enjoy continuous live entertainment and even participate in a 5K. (850) 433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
6th Annual Art and Wine Weekend. Oct. 5-6.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Enjoy wine tastings and local art as you’re transported by trolley across the island. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
Annual Historic Haunted House Walking Tours. Oct. 18-19, 25-26.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Costumed guides lead narrated tours of more than 50 sites in this spooky family favorite activity for Halloween. (850) 595-5985, www.historicpensacola.org
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival. Nov. 1-3.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Browse an impressive collection of more than 200 fine art and hand made craft exhibits from around the country in downtown Pensacola’s historic Seville Square. www.ggaf.org
Season the Holidays with Island Spirit. Nov. 22-Dec. 31.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Santa Rosa Island hosts numerous holiday events throughout the season. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
Lighted Boat Parade. Dec 6.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Beginning at 7 p.m., the nautical parade officially delivers Santa Claus to the island. (850) 932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
Downtown Christmas Parade. Dec. 08.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Christmas floats light up the streets of downtown Pensacola during this annual family-friendly parade. www.coxchristmasparade.org
Pelican Drop. Dec. 31.
Pensacola Bay Area, Florida Families can enjoy a street-party atmosphere downtown with live music, a children’s area and fireworks, along with a 10-foot, half-ton illuminated pelican that will be dropped 100 feet at midnight. (850) 435-1603, www.pensacolapelicandrop.com
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