There is always something to do in and around Pensacola, especially with fall coming into full swing and festival season along with it. Nearly every weekend for the rest of the year will have festivals to experience, football games to attend, free concerts to enjoy and even a fair. 

Bands on the Blackwater and Bands on the Beach are both free concert events that occur weekly throughout the year. Overlooking the Blackwater River, Bands on the Blackwater takes place in downtown Milton. Bands on the Beach occurs at the Gulfside Pavilion near the Pensacola Beach water tower and overlooks the gulf. With both events, there is always enough room to enjoy the show while still social-distancing. 

Jessie Ritter is a northwest Florida native and a multi-award-winning country-pop artist. Pensacola and Milton both have the pleasure of having Ritter perform at Bands on the Blackwater on Oct 1 from 7-9 p.m. and at Bands on the Beach on Oct 5 from 7-9 p.m. Ritter’s music is always breezy and upbeat, giving a beach vibe any time she steps on stage. 

The Pensacola Greek Festival is a unique experience to have in Pensacola. The Greek Festival has been hosted annually by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church since 1959, evolving from a luncheon to a three-day festival. The event is a staple for Pensacola’s festival season. According to their website, they boasted an annual 20,000+ guests before the pandemic. The Greek Festival is a true labor of love for the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, and it is proven every year. 

The Greek Festival will take place from Oct 1-3 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, located at 1720 W. Garden Street in downtown Pensacola. With free admission, live music and folk dances, the Greek Festival is more than worth attending, even if you are not Greek or a particularly religious person. 

The Palafox Market is a farmers market held every weekend on Palafox Street that showcases over 100 vendors. From handcrafted arts to fresh locally grown produce, Palafox Market is a great place to buy a gift for anyone in your life. Add some locally grown sustainable food to your diet and get out to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the weekend crowd. 

The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department hosts a free one-hour yoga class at Community Maritime Park on the first Sunday of every month. The next session will be at 10 a.m. on Oct 4. Taking advantage of the view of Pensacola Bay, this class will be hosted in front of the amphitheater stage.

These classes are very health-conscious, capping off at 50 participants and requiring social distancing. Each class is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get there early with your favorite yoga mat and a bottle of water. 

While Pensacola always has something going on, there is also the option of spending a few hours exploring what Pensacola has to offer without attending an event. Between finding your new favorite coffee shop, going to the little record shop near NAS or calling it a lazy day at your dorm, making the most of being in Pensacola is easy to do once you find your own swing of things.