Foo Foo in the Fall

by Nicole Willis

Pensacola’s favorite fall celebration is back! That’s right, Foo Foo Festival is returning to downtown Pensacola for its 11th year celebrating all things arts and culture.

This year’s rendition features an abundance of returning annual events such as Jazz for Justice and Fiesta Pensacola’s Living Museum, but it also features new unique events and art installations to get excited about such as HizashiCon presented by Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida and the University of West Florida Historic Trust’s Blue Trees environmental installation.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled for what’s in store for the eleventh iteration of the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival this Fall,” Chair of Pensacola Foo Foo Festival Therese Felth McKenzie said. “This year, Foo Foo Fest attendees can look forward to colorful moments around our community such as The Blue Trees presented by the University of West Florida Historic Trust, milestone anniversaries such as the 70th anniversary of the Pensacola Museum of Art, first-ever cultural events like HizashiCon presented by the JapanAmerica Society of Northwest Florida and the return of Night Moves Music Fest at Maritime Park. From live music to fine art, anime to theatrical performances, and so much more, the opportunities are endless at Foo Foo Fest.”

Whether you’re just looking for a fun weekend activity, or you’re a seasoned Foo Foo Fest veteran, we got you covered. We’ve brought you details on the complete list of events presented by this year’s grant-funded organizations. For tickets and complete event details, visit foofoofest.com/2024-events.

Pensacola Museum of Art 70th Anniversary

Oct. 31 through Nov. 10 | Various Times

The Pensacola Museum of Art is celebrating its 70th anniversary through a series of events that will engage art lovers of all ages. This series of programs is centered on the museum’s permanent collection, commemorating seven decades of cultural history. On October 31, an Art Themed Halloween Block Party will kick off a week of free museum admission. This party will run from 5 to 8 pm and will feature live music and art activities. This event will be followed by a special curator’s tour on November 7 at 6 pm. Finally, the ticketed Permanent Collection Exhibition Gala on November 9 will allow patrons to support the museum’s collection and leave a legacy for future generations. All events are hosted at the Pensacola Museum of Art, located at 407 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola.

Pensacola Opera presents Carmen: The Traveler

Nov. 7 | 5:30 pm

Pensacola Opera presents the world premiere of Carmen: The Traveler, a newly adapted, abridged and re-orchestrated version of Bizet’s monumental masterpiece. Audience members will be immersed in the Spanish atmosphere of Seville Quarter, while also enjoying a selection of Spanish tapas, wine pairings and other exciting surprises. Immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind experience at Seville Quarter, located at 130 E. Government St. in downtown Pensacola.

The Living Museum: A Trip through Pensacola’s History presented by Fiesta Pensacola

Nov. 7 | 5 to 7 pm

Step back in time with The Living Museum, an interactive experience at the Pensacola Museum of History. Taking place from 1559 onwards, actors in period costumes will bring to life diverse figures from Pensacola’s past. Using museum artifacts as props, the actors will perform scenes and answer questions, offering a deeper insight into the city’s multicultural history. This unique timeline spans beyond the well-known stories, shedding light on minority groups and key events often overlooked. This immersive journey through Pensacola’s history takes place at the Pensacola Museum of History located at 330 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola.

The Corner of Broadway & Main Street presented by Choral Society of Pensacola

Nov. 8 | 7:30 pm

Experience the captivating harmonies of Voctave as they bring a mix of Broadway showstoppers, Disney favorites and timeless classics to the stage in The Corner of Broadway & Main Street. Formed in 2015, this 11-member a cappella group has garnered widespread admiration for their versatile vocals and rich harmonies. Featuring professional singers with roots in Walt Disney World entertainment, their repertoire spans everything from gospel and musical theatre to contemporary Christian and barbershop. This family-friendly concert is sure to appeal to music lovers of all ages. The show will take place at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, located at 500 N. Palafox St., in downtown Pensacola.

Joyful Noise! Gospel Celebration presented by WSRE-TV Foundation

Nov. 8-10 | Various Times

Dive into a soulful weekend at the Joyful Noise! Gospel Celebration, inspired by Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s PBS documentary series, GOSPEL. This three-day event kicks off Friday with a free gospel workshop at Dixon School of Arts & Sciences from 4 to 5 pm, led by Vy Higginsen and the award-winning Sing Harlem choir. On Saturday, stop by the Pensacola High School Auditorium from noon to 5 pm for a vibrant gospel competition showcasing regional choirs, with special performances by Sing Harlem and a screening of GOSPEL. The celebration concludes with a lively gospel brunch on Sunday from noon to 2 pm at Lily Hall.

Night Moves Fest presented by Night Moves Inc.

Nov. 9 | 1 pm

Night Moves Fest is returning for its second year, bringing amazing indie and alternative music to downtown Pensacola. The day-long music festival will feature an exciting lineup of national, international, regional and local artists. Attendees will enjoy performances by headliners Silversun Pickups, Alvvays and Beach Fossils, alongside Tigers Jaw, Drug Church and many more. The festival will take place at Community Maritime Park’s Hunter Amphitheater located at 301 W. Main St. in downtown Pensacola. With food trucks, vendors and a scenic waterfront setting, it’s a perfect day out for music lovers of all ages.

HizashiCon presented by JapanAmerica Society of Northwest Florida

Nov. 9 | All Day

Celebrate Japanese pop culture at HizashiCon, a vibrant festival dedicated to anime, manga, video games, music and more. “Hizashi,” meaning “sunshine” in Japanese, sets the tone for this exciting pop culture celebration. The event features guest panels with renowned anime voice actors, cosplay competitions, Vocaloid performances, film showings, unique vendors, a themed maid café and more. HizashiCon will take place at First United Methodist Church’s Wright Place, located at 6 E. Wright St., in downtown Pensacola.

Jazz for Justice presented by Legal Services of North Florida

Nov. 10 | 1 to 5 pm

Join Legal Services of North Florida for an afternoon of live music at the annual Jazz for Justice concert. Enjoy a family-friendly day filled with music, food, vendors and activities, as New Orleans jazz fills the streets of downtown Pensacola. This free show will take place at Museum Plaza located at 300 S. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola. VIP experiences are available for those looking to enhance the day with special perks like catered food and a bar inside the Voices of Pensacola Museum. End your celebration of Foo Foo Festival on a high note with this lively event!

Night on the Tracks presented by 309 Punk Project

Nov. 10 | 1:30 PM to 11:45 PM

Night on the Tracks is a multi-venue celebration of arts and culture along the Wright Street railroad tracks in downtown Pensacola. This exciting evening features an assortment of activities. The evening starts off with a film festival that showcases short films from local, national and international filmmakers. Attendees can also enjoy live music at From the Ground Up Community Garden, where Kevn Kinney performs. Later in the evening, attendees can explore a streetside sculpture exhibition by Jennie Andrews, and visit the Night Market with artisans, crafts, food trucks and performances by Birds of a Feather and Bread Box Puppet Troupe. The 21+ crowd is invited to cap off the night with a concert by Show Me the Body and MSPAINT at The Handlebar.

To check out the complete line up of 2024 Foo Foo Fest events, visit foofoofest.com.