First City Lights Festival

Kick off the holiday season, immediately following the Winterfest Elf Parade on Black Friday, Nov. 29, with a holiday lighting ceremony that will launch the First City Lights Festival; a diverse season-long lineup of festive, holiday events in Downtown Pensacola. From events as traditional as “The Nutcracker” and as contemporary as Pop-Up Opera, visitors will wander along Palafox Street and encounter live street performances, caroling in the streets, Santa photo ops and Winterfest Trolly Tours. For two enchanting months, visitors will also experience music, shopping, fine dining, art, nightlife and more under a canopy of half a million white lights that will illuminate historic buildings, parks, galleries, shops and outdoor spaces. Visitors can navigate the eclectic Downtown Pensacola district, voted “Florida’s Greatest Place”—on foot or by Segway, horse and carriage, pedicab or a Winterfest trolley. Special thanks to our sponsors: Gulf Power, Shops of Southtowne, JAH Power Services, Inc., Service Electric Co., Roberson Underground Utility, LLC, L30 Consulting, LLC.