Pensacola’s weekend calendar is full from Thursday through Sunday, with a somber 25th anniversary 9/11 remembrance, three nights of bull riding on the beach, a fresh take on Oktoberfest, and a foam-soaked dance party all landing within a few days of each other.
Whether you’re looking for something free, something for the kids, or something worth buying tickets early for, here are the ten events shaping the weekend.
- Date: Thursday, September 10
- Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
- Location: Coastal Cat Cafe, 1508 W. Garden St., Pensacola
Kick the weekend off early with an hour dedicated to Dolly Parton’s greatest hits inside the cat lounge at Coastal Cat Cafe. Jolene, 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You and Coat of Many Colors will play while guests spend time with more than 20 adoptable cats and sip a hot drink of choice. Tickets are $20 per person.
- Date: Wednesday, September 10 through Saturday, September 12
- Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m. nightly
- Location: Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr., Pensacola
Three nights of professional bull riding return to the beach at Flora-Bama, bringing Professional Bull Riders from across the country for a rodeo unlike anything else on the Gulf Coast. A portion of proceeds benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, giving families a reason to cheer for more than the ride times.
- Date: Friday, September 11
- Time: 9:30 a.m.
- Location: National Naval Aviation Museum, Blue Angels Atrium
Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the National Naval Aviation Museum hosts the Gulf Coast’s largest public remembrance ceremony. The commemoration honors the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the heroes who answered the call, marking a milestone anniversary with the region’s largest gathering of its kind. Admission is free.
- Date: Friday, September 11
- Time: 5:00 p.m. VIP entry, 5:30 p.m. general admission
- Location: Seville Quarter, Pensacola
The Gulf Coast’s largest and longest-running craft beer tasting event celebrates its 30th year at Seville Quarter. More than 50 microbreweries, dozens of distributors and over 10 homebrew clubs pour their offerings for the night, all included with admission alongside live music and food trucks.
- Date: Friday, September 11
- Time: 7:00 p.m. (start time may shift with sunset)
- Location: Gulfside Pavilion, 20 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach
Pixar’s “Hoppers” hits the big screen on the sand as part of this long-running beachside movie series presented by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. The free screening pairs a wild, funny story about empathy and identity with one of the best backdrops in town, sand between your toes included.
- Date: Saturday, September 12
- Time: 8:00 a.m. baseball session, 10:30 a.m. softball session
- Location: Blue Wahoos Stadium, Pensacola
Kids ages 6 to 12 get the full big-league treatment at this new fan experience from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Stations throughout the stadium cover wiffle ball, batting cage time, home run swings over the outfield wall and a simulated media day, plus walk-up music and an exclusive Funball t-shirt. Tickets include a seat at that evening’s 6:05 p.m. game against the Biloxi Shuckers, capped with postgame fireworks.
- Date: Saturday, September 12
- Time: Doors at 12:00 p.m., festivities begin at 1:00 p.m.
- Location: 208 Newman Ave., Pensacola
The 9th annual Oktoberfest celebration brings bratwurst and pretzels, live music from Spicy Danger and Hypno Nun, and classic games including stein hoist, hammerschlagen, keg toss and sack races. Admission is free, with the brewery’s regular menu running all day and Flourish Food Truck rolling in for the evening.
- Date: Saturday, September 12
- Time: 12:00 p.m. until sold out
- Location: 800 W. Nine Mile Rd., Pensacola
Wristbands get tasters into unlimited gumbo and ancillary food entries at this fundraiser benefiting Hadji Shriners activities, with People’s Choice voting decided by token. Arts and crafts vendors open at 9 a.m., a Steak Cookoff Association-sanctioned cookoff runs alongside the gumbo, and kids under 12 get in free.
- Date: Saturday, September 12
- Time: 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
- Location: 116 E. Gonzalez St., Pensacola
Foam, lights and DJs take over for a late-night dance party downtown. It’s a straightforward premise executed loud: bring the energy and let the foam do the rest.
- Date: Sunday, September 13
- Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: The Farm, Pensacola
- Rican Vegan marks four years of serving plant-based Latin flavors with a celebration built for the community that got them there. Expect good food, familiar faces and a possible new menu special announced closer to the date.,
As always, a big thanks to Dog House Downtown for serving up our Top 10 fresh every week.
Weekend meal prep made easy!…