Pensacola’s Under-The-Radar Arts Scene & Hidden Gems

Pensacola is The Artful Way to Beach – serving as the only destination between Mobile and Jacksonville that is home to the “big five” in Northwest Florida, offering locals and travelers alike access to thePensacola Opera, Ballet Pensacola, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the Saenger Theatrethe Pensacola Museum of Art. Institutions like First City Arts Center, the Pensacola Little Theatre (established in 1936) and Vinyl Music Hall also offer programming year-round that visitors and locals alike can enjoy.

In addition to its year-round offerings, Pensacola is also home to the Foo Foo Festival – an annual 12-day arts & culture event highlighting the destination’s unique arts & cultural offerings. This year’s events will celebrate the festival's 10-year anniversary and will take place Nov. 2-13, 2023. Anchor events for the Festival include the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, the Big Green Egg Fest, and the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow on Veteran’s Day weekend.

Local artists are also highlighted and celebrated in the beloved community tradition of Gallery Night. Each month, the iconic downtown Palafox Street is closed to cars for the free event dedicated to taking art to the streets featuring artists, music, food and vendors, making it the perfect way to explore the culture of Pensacola like a local. Visitors hoping to take a piece of local artistry with them can head to the Blue Morning Gallery which houses an eclectic collection showcasing over 60 Pensacola artists’ works including photography, sculpture, glass, beadwork, wood, tile and more.

For more information on Pensacola’s art & exhibition offerings, please contact pr@visitpensacola.com.