Best Bets for the Weekend, Dec 23-Dec 25 and Dec 31-Jan 1

HOLIDAY EXPRESS- A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR-  Dec 22-24, Sat 7pm, Sun 3pm, OWA Theater, OWA Theme Park, Foley

Get into the holiday spirit and watch it come to life on stage at the OWA Theater for this original Christmas spectacular! It’s the holiday season and Bastian is getting into the Christmas spirit at home when he breaks a “not-so-magical” family heirloom. CLICK HERE    

FINDING CHRISTMAS- Dec 15th-26th, Wed-Mon 3pm and 7pm; additional show Saturday 11am, Beau Rivage Theatre, Biloxi

Do you believe in the magic of the Holidays? Finding Christmas is a Broadway-style musical variety production that follows a young brother & sister duo who set out on a quest to find the true meaning of ChristmasCLICK HERE   

HOLIDAY DREAMS, A SPECTACULAR HOLIDAY CIRQUE- Mon Dec 26, 7pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre

Featuring HOLOGRAMS, PROJECTION MAPPING, INTERACTIVE LASERS & BMX DAREDEVILS, Holiday Dreams is worlds apart from the traditional cirque-style shows. CLICK HERE  

FLORA-BAMA CHRISTMAS POTLUCK- Sun Dec 25, 12 noon, Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Key

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, Christmas is a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate. The Flora-Bama wants you #OnTheLine to eat, drink and be merry for its traditional Christmas Potluck Dinner! The turkey and ham will be provided by the Flora-Bama, and we encourage our patrons to bring a covered dish to share - because that’s what Christmas is all about! CLICK HERE    

MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS- Fri Nov 25- Wed Jan 4, open nightly (closed December 25 and January 1), Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore

Stroll through a dazzling light display throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. In addition, the Bellingrath Home is decorated in its holiday finery and enhanced with beautiful poinsettias. Santa will be at Bellingrath Gardens & Home nightly from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through December 23rd. He is available for pictures in the Magnolia Room, adjacent to the Café. CLICK HERE  

HOLIDAY LIGHTS DRIVE-THRU AT BICENTENNIAL PARK- Nov 28- Dec 29, 5pm-9pm (excluding Dec 23-26), Baldwin County Bicentennial Park, 51233 State Highway 225 Stockton, AL

This event is FREE to the public. Only passenger vehicles will be allowed. Buses, RVs, and other commercial vehicles are prohibited. CLICK HERE   

SOWELL’S NORTH POLE- Nightly 5:30pm-9pm through Dec 25th, Sowell Farms, 7650 Sowell Rd Milton, FL

Sowell’s North Pole Christmas Light Display (drive-through and/or park) is an annual Christmas light show put on by the Sowell family. Come enjoy train rides, photos with Santa, camel rides and more! CLICK HERE  

PENSACOLA WINTERFEST - Fri-Sun,Nov 18-Dec 24, Plaza Wonderland on Palafox Place, downtown Pensacola

Experience the holidays with the Grinch Trolley Tour, the Scrooge Tour, and the Polar Express. Winterfest tours and performances light up beautiful Downtown Pensacola from Historic Seville to the Palafox Business District. Join the many different Winterfest characters on journeys through their stories! CLICK HERE  

WINTER AT THE WHARF: 

Ice Skating Rink- Nov 11-Jan 16

Grab a pair of skates and glide, spin or fall into the season by coasting on blades.

The Wharf North Pole Express- Saturdays plus select dates,Nov-Dec 10am-10pm, near the Ferris wheel

Put on your PJs and ride The Wharf North Pole Express each Saturday until Christmas. 

Horse & Carriage Rides- Select nights, Nov-Jan, Main Street

Saddle up for the season by spending an evening under the moonlight in an enchanted horse-drawn carriage.

CLICK HERE for dates/times

PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE- Thurs 6pm, Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi

Come join Peppa this Holiday season on an exciting camping trip in the winter woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. CLICK HERE  

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA presents CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR- Sat Dec 31, 7pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre

The bright lights of Broadway come to the Saenger stage as the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra celebrates the new year with musical theatre’s most memorable melodies. CLICK HERE   

MOONPIE OVER MOBILE- Sat Dec 31 11am-12 midnight, downtown Mobile

Dig into the world’s largest MoonPie cake, join the second line, watch live entertainment from ThirdEyeBlind, Red Clay Strays and Levon Gray, and start the New Year with an all-star fireworks show! And … find the only 600lb electric MoonPie at the world-famous MoonPie drop at midnight!

Bring the kids down early to ring in the New Year with kid-friendly activities set up in Mardi Gras Park from 11am - 1pm..AND just before noon we will lead a second line march to watch the MoonPie drop to ring in the NOON YEAR! CLICK HERE   

PENSACOLA BEACH NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS- Sat Dec 31 at midnight, along the sound side of Pensacola Beach

At the stroke of midnight, keep your eyes to the skies as a dazzling light display will take place overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk! Sponsored by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. CLICK HERE    

FAIRHOPE’S NEW YEAR’S EVE STREET PARTY- Sat Dec 31, 8:30pm-12:30am, downtown Fairhope

City Party Band will get the night started at 8:30 pm at the corner of Fairhope Avenue and Church Street. Other entertainment will include children’s activities, football viewing area, and we'll round off the night with a ball drop and fireworks at midnight! This is a free event so grab your friends, family, and party hats and join us as we ring in the new year in downtown Fairhope! Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of the celebration specials offered at many of the downtown restaurants and businesses. CLICK HERE   

HAPPY ROCKIN’ NOON YEAR- Sat Dec 31 10am-2pm, Exploreum Science Center

Countdown to Noon Years with the whole family. Wear your best rock 'n' roll outfit for the rockin' Noon Years party! General admission for non-members. Free for Exploreum members. Countdown is at noon so get here earlyCLICK HERE  

REELIN’ IN THE NEW YEAR- Sat Dec 31, 5pm-12 midnight, Main Street, The Wharf, Orange Beach

Let’s bid adieu to the year in the grandest of style with family friendly activities and adult-centered fun all rounding off at midnight with The Park Band, the marlin drop and a fireworks finale! Resolutions are for January. Give yourself one last excuse to let loose and kiss this unforgettable year goodbye! CLICK HERE    

THE MOLLY RINGWALDS- Sat Dec 31, 10:30pm, Beau Rivage Biloxi, CLICK HERE   

FLORA-BAMA NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH- Sat Dec 31, 6pm-12, Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Key

The Flora-Bama is THE place to be on New Year’s Eve! Live music on all three stages will be rockin’ until the party stops. Food, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast will be sure to contribute to good times On The Line as we ring in the New Year, Flora-Bama style! CLICK HERE   

2023 POLAR BEAR PLUNGE- Sun Jan 1, 2pm, Paradise Bar & Grill, Pensacola Beach

Hundreds of dippers and spectators – many dressed in costume – flock to the beach to participate in this long-established tradition.

Registration begins at noon and the fee is $15 cash per person and participants will receive a Polar Bear Plunge t-shirt or a $10 registration donation to participate without the t-shirt and $5 Cub Club for ages fifth grade and under (no shirt). All proceeds go to the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce to fund events on the Island. CLICK HERE   

FLORA-BAMA POLAR BEAR DIP- Sun Jan 1, 12 noon, Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Key

The Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip is THE event of New Year's Day along the gulf coast. Groups and families gather in costume, swim suits and some even in wet suits to feel the brisk salt water on their face.

Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico at high noon. Those who fully submerge will get a free draft beer and a free New Year's lunch of ham, black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread. CLICK HERE   

Photo: Getty Images


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