The holiday season shines brighter at Portofino Island Resort in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Join the community for local favorites like the Lighted Boat Parade and Beachmas at Laguna’s, or enjoy quiet comfort as you make hot chocolate and holiday cookies in your full-service kitchen. From sparkling light displays and festive parades to cozy moments spent in beachfront condos, there are endless things to do in Pensacola Beach over the holiday season!
5 Things To Do in Pensacola Beach Over the Holiday Season
1. Experience the Pensacola Beach Lighted Boat Parade
Every December, the Santa Rosa Sound transforms into a glittering spectacle as boats decorated in twinkling lights sail across the water. The annual Lighted Boat Parade is one of Pensacola Beach’s most beloved traditions and one of the best things to do to kick off the holiday season. Guests can enjoy the view from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk or watch the illuminated procession from the private balcony of their condos as reflections shimmer on the water below.
2. Discover Beachmas at Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill
For a true community celebration, don’t miss Beachmas at Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill, a local favorite that brings holiday excitement to the waterfront. There are plenty of things for family members of all ages to do during the holiday season, such as visit the hot cocoa bar, the inflatable bounce house, play a game of mini golf, do some Christmas crafts, enjoy live music, and so much more!
3. Celebrate at the Surfing Santa Beach Parade
Santa trades his sleigh for a surfboard as the parade makes its way down Via De Luna Drive, complete with colorful floats, lively music, and plenty of candy for the kids. It’s one of the most memorable things to do on Pensacola Beach and a holiday tradition the whole family will love.
4. Visit The Magical Pensacola Winterfest
Step into Plaza Wonderland on Palafox Place, where snow begins to fall and the sound of a trolley bell invites you to hop aboard for a magical ride through the heart of Christmas. Visitors can choose from exciting tours like the new Mistletoe Magic, a romantic journey through classic Christmas love songs, or Cheer Up with the Peanuts Gang, where Charlie Brown and friends discover the joy of the perfect Christmas tree. Families can also visit Santa for photos, join the Polar Express Tour to relive the magic of belief, or laugh along with the Grinch’s Merry Match.
5. Spend Your Holiday Vacation in Our Pensacola Beach Condos
After a day of exploring, settle in for cozy holiday moments in one of our upscale Penscola Beach condos. With spacious living areas and full-service kitchens, there's no better place to book a holiday. Whip up a batch of homemade holiday cookies, make steaming mugs of hot chocolate, and step out onto your private balcony to take in sweeping views of the Gulf.
Book your vacation today at Portofino Island Resort and make this holiday season one to remember!