Best Bets

Best Bets

Check your Best Bets before you make your weekend plans, so you don't miss out! We've got local events, concerts and more all along the Gulf Coast.Full Bio

 

Best Bets for the Weekend, Dec 5- Dec 7

PARADES:

Friday –

Milton Lighted Boat Parade- 6:00pm

Fairhope- 6:30pm

Pensacola Beach Lighted Boat Parade ***RESCHEDULED FOR DEC 12th 6:30pm

Silverhill- 6:30pm

Saturday–

Jay - 10am

Pace- 10am

Foley - 10am

Tillman’s Corner- 10:30am

Daphne- 11am

Dauphin Island- 11am

Satsuma- 11am

Bay Minette Christmas Fest - 4:30pm

Satsuma Christmas Boat parade- 6:00pm

Chickasaw- 6:00pm

Milton- 6:00pm

Robertsdale- 6:30pm

Grand Bay’s Night of Lights Christmas Parade - 6:30pm

Sunday- 

Surfin’ Santa Pensacola Beach Parade- 2:00pm

CITY OF DAPHNE TREE LIGHTING *** RESCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY DEC 9th ***** 5pm, Daphne City Hall

There will be food trucks, train rides, and children's crafts, with special musical guest Roman Street! Tree lighting at 6pm.  CLICK HERE   

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS AT SIMS PARK- Thurs 5:30pm, Sims Park, Gulf Shores

Families can enjoy pictures with Santa, holiday treats, crafts, and the 10th Annual Snowball Drop. The Snowball Drop is a man-made blizzard featuring 8,000 ping pong balls dropped from above. Winning snowballs will have a number that correlates with a prize.  CLICK HERE   

43rd Annual CHRISTMAS FEST- Fri 11am-8pm; Sat 8am-7pm, Blackburn Park, Bay Minette

Enjoy live music, petting zoo, carnival games, ping pong ball drop (with prizes!) and a light show Saturday night. Christmas Fest Parade Saturday at 4:30pm.  CLICK HERE   

LIGHT UP MILTON- Fri 5pm-9pm, Riverwalk, Downtown Milton

Santa arrives at the Holiday Market at 5 and lights the tree at 5:30. The Blackwater Pyrates Lighted Boat Parade is at 6, followed by fireworks over the Blackwater River at 7.  CLICK HERE  

FOLEY’S CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK- Fri 6pm, Heritage Park, Foley

Come out to hear Christmas carols, enjoy the lighting of the Christmas Tree and visit with Santa. Hot cocoa and snacks will be served!  CLICK HERE

FOLEY’S LET IT SNOW- Sat 9am-2pm, Heritage Park, Foley

There will be kids activities, live entertainment and Santa will be joining after the Foley Christmas Parade at 10:00 a.m. CLICK HERE    

LIGHTS OF DAUPHIN ISLAND- Sat 5pm, Water Tower Plaza, Dauphin Island

Join the Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce for an evening of festive cheer, beautiful lights, and community celebration. Warm up with free cocoa and cookies while you’re enjoying the decorated trees and sparkling displays! Santa arrives at 5pm and the lights go on shortly after, once it’s dark. The trees will be on public display throughout the holiday season.  CLICK HERE   

FLORA-BAMA SANTA DROP - Sat 11am-2pm, Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Key

Prepare to be amazed as Santa ditches the sleigh for a parachute, landing right on the beach behind Flora-Bama! This is a fundraiser for Toys for Tots, and those who bring an unwrapped toy will receive a free drink card. Festivities include arts and crafts, live music, face painting, sweet treats, and pictures with Santa. Free event.  CLICK HERE  

RALLY GULF COAST TWO-DAY HOLIDAY SHOPPING SOIREE- Fri 10am-4pm, Studer Community Institute, Downtown Pensacola; Sat- All Day

Enjoy a festive holiday pop-up Friday, featuring local vendors and businesses. Saturday, shop and dine all day across the Gulf Coast as participating neighborhood businesses give back a portion of sales. Proceed benefit Rally Gulf Coast childhood cancer research.  CLICK HERE  

EXPLOREUM AFTER HOURS: NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION- Sat 6pm-9pm, Exploreum Science Center, Downtown Mobile

Come decked out in your best ugly sweater or Clark Griswold-inspired holiday gear for door prizes and laughs that are “the gift that keeps on giving.” It’s 21+, BYOB/W, costumes encouraged, and the perfect pregame before venturing into downtown Mobile’s nightlife.  CLICK HERE  

A CHARLIE BROWN JAZZ CHRISTMAS- Sat 7pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre

The 16th annual Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas concert returns with The Joe Cool Trio performing Vince Guaraldi’s iconic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas. A portion of proceeds from the Mobile performance will benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Mobile.  CLICK HERE

A ROMAN STREET CHRISTMAS AND THEN SOME- Sun 7pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre

Come hear Christmas Classics done in a new and exciting way with Roman Street and surprise musical friends.  CLICK HERE

DON McLEAN “A STARRY STARRY CHRISTMAS,” A NIGHT OF HITS AND HOLIDAY FAVORITES- Sat 8pm, Beau Rivage Theatre, Biloxi, CLICK HERE   

LIGHTWIRE THEATER presents A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS- Thurs 7pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre

Combining the arts of puppetry, theater and dance with the music of timeless holiday hits, this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope creates a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. CLICK HERE  

NURSE BLAKE: BUT DID YOU DIE? COMEDY TOUR- Fri 8pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre, CLICK HERE    

A CHOCOLATE COVERED CHRISTMAS CAROL- Sat 7:30pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre

This is a heartwarming, hilarious, and soulful twist on the beloved classic A Christmas Carol, set to the rhythm of gospel, R&B, and holiday joy.  CLICK HERE    

BRANDON BENNETT’S ELVIS MY WAY CHRISTMAS- Sat 8pm, IP Casino Biloxi, CLICK HERE    

CHRISTMAS AT BICENTENNIAL PARK DRIVE-THRU LIGHT DISPLAY- Dec 1st- Dec 23rd (Closed Sundays 12/7 and 12/14), Bicentennial Park, Stockton

Experience “A Christmas Kingdom: Lights, Wonder, and Tradition” at 

Baldwin County’s FREE drive-thru light display, featuring thousands of 

brilliant lights, festive scenes, and fun for the whole family.  CLICK HERE   

30th Annual MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS - Nightly 5pm-9pm,  Fri Nov 21- Tues Jan 6 (Closed Nov. 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1), Bellingrath Gardens & Home, Theodore

The season is beginning earlier than ever and continuing nightly through January 6th, to give guests even more time to experience the wonder of the season. The show features more than 3 million lights, 1,100 set pieces, and just under 20 themed scenes, transforming the 65-acre Gardens into a glowing winter wonderland.  CLICK HERE   

PENSACOLA WINTERFEST- Nov 21- Dec 24, Plaza Wonderland, Downtown Pensacola

Downtown Pensacola comes alive with song and dance, arts and crafts during the holidays, with “Peanuts Tour,” “Polar Express Tour”, “Scrooge Tour” and “The Grinch’s Merry Match” . Pensacola Winterfest's tours and photos with Santa take place in Plaza Wonderland at the corner of Government Street and Palafox Place. Snow and music starts at 5:30 on Fridays, 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday, on all Tour nights.  CLICK HERE 

 

THE NORTH POLE at DOWNTOWN OWA- Fri 6pm-9pm; Sat/Sun 1pm-7pm, Downtown OWA, OWA Parks & Resort, Foley

From November 28th to select days in December, gather the family for holiday moments with Santa! From capturing photos with the big man himself to playing Reindeer Games, the North Pole is filled with festive fun for the whole family. Free to attend; 1 free photo (personal photography not permitted).  CLICK HERE 

ICE SKATING RINK AT THE WHARF- Mon-Fri 4pm-10pm; Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 12noon-8pm, Nov 14-Jan 19, The Wharf, Orange Beach

Let us bring winter to you! Grab a pair of skates and glide, spin or fall into the season on real ice. CLICK HERE 

 

WALES WEST LIGHT RAILWAY ARCTIC EXPRESS- Fri/Sat/Sun Nov 28-Dec 24 (daily starting Dec 12), Wales West RV Park and Light Railway, Silverhill

All aboard the 2025 Arctic Express at Wales West Light Railway! Guests will ride "Dame Ann", an authentic steam locomotive, through amazing lights, decorations, Christmas music, and SNOW on the way to the North Pole. You take home your own holiday family picture with Santa and each child gets a special TOY. Refreshments, mini train rides, hay-less hayride, playgrounds, and bounce house included in your ticket. Enjoy the snowball cannon for a slight fee.  CLICK HERE  

DISASTER RESILIENCE FORUM featuring JIM CANTORE- Fri 9am-11am, McQueen Alumni Center, University of South Alabama, Mobile

The United Way of Southwest Alabama and Verizon are hosting a Disaster Resilience Forum featuring Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel. Cantore, one of the most recognized meteorologists in the nation, will deliver the keynote address. Admission $10.  CLICK HERE  

PENSACOLA BAY AREA WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S- Sun 2pm (Registration); 3pm (Ceremony and Walk); Community Maritime Park, Pensacola

Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Walk alongside friends, neighbors, and community members to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and make a difference in the lives of families everywhereCLICK HERE   

58th Annual SNOWBALL DERBY - Thurs-Sun, Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola

It’s the pinnacle of American Short Track racing. The trophy every driver seeks. The ultimate contest of skill and grit that racing legends, and legends on the rise, battle to conquer. And it happens in Pensacola!  CLICK HERE  

13th Annual USO RUNWAY 5K- Sat 10am, Pensacola International Airport

Don’t miss this rare chance to race on an active runway at Pensacola International Airport while supporting our local military community. Proceeds benefit the USO of Northwest Florida.  CLICK HERE   

PALAFOX MARKET- Sat 9am-2pm, TWO LOCATIONS: Martin Luther King Jr Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand, Pensacola

Join us every Saturday, rain or shine for farm-fresh produce, plants, flowers, baked goods, hand-crafted works of art, sculpture, fresh tea and coffee, delicious food and spices, hand-blown glass, ceramics and much more at the event that was named Florida's Best Farmers Market by Southern Living magazine.  CLICK HERE  

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

SEC Championship: ALABAMA vs GEORGIA- Sat 3pm, Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, ABC, CLICK HERE   

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Christmas Parade

Photo: jimfeng / iStock Unreleased / Getty Images


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