Best Time to Visit Pensacola Florida (Beaches, Festivities & More!)

Pensacola’s emerald coast has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in Florida. The clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico, white sand beaches, festivals, wildlife, and history have made it so desirable. Close to 2 million people head to the western tip of the Florida Panhandle to discover what Pensacola is all about.

September and October are the best months to visit Pensacola to avoid the summer crowds. Flights can cost as little as $67 one way during the shoulder season. Ocean temperatures are warm and great for swimming at 83 F/ 29 C. Try to avoid March and April when it is overrun with vacationers on spring break.

Food events of Pensacola's Crawfish Festival, Seafood Festival, and Taste of the Beach celebrate the cuisine along the Gulf Coast. The Foo Foo Festival honors the arts, and even an Interstate Mullet Toss, there is no shortage of events.

It's no wonder Pensacola has been called the Festival City of the South. Follow along to discover when is the best time to plan your next visit to Pensacola.

When Not to Visit Pensacola

March and April are the worst months to visit Pensacola when tourism is at its peak. Spring breakers arrive during these months, which surges hotel prices. Basic accommodations can start at $89 to upwards of $410 a night during these very popular months.

With the demand for flights for spring break, vacationers' prices can see a 22% increase during prime time. Water temperatures average 65 F/ 18 C, and the beaches become extremely crowded.

If partying, meeting new people, and non-stop activities are the vacation you want, then it can be just right for you; otherwise, avoid March and April in Pensacola.

When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Pensacola?

The winter months are considered low season, from November until February, when Pensacola experiences a reduced number of tourists visiting.  January is the coldest month of the year, reaching average lows of 45 F/ 7 C.

Great prices can be found, especially in November when there can be a 27% decrease in prices. You can purchase one-way flights to Pensacola for as little as $47, and hotel rates can begin at $67 for a night.

November is a month of ongoing arts and music festivals in Pensacola, from the Gulf Coast Blues Festival to the long-running Foo Foo Festival. Try to book at least 3 months in advance to find the best deals.

Related Read: 20 BEST Things To Do in Pensacola With Kids

Best Time to Visit Pensacola (Monthly Breakdown for Festivals and Activities)

Here is a breakdown of some of the best activities you can be a part of while taking a vacation to Pensacola!

January: Best Time to Explore Pensacola’s History

Many come to escape the winter in January, so temperatures reaching a low of 48 F/ 9 C and highs of 61 F/ 16 C don’t seem too cold in comparison to back home. The moderately cool weather is ideal for exploring the streets of Pensacola and its history.

The City of Five Flags is one of the name’s given to Pensacola for the various flags that have governed its history. Segway-guided tours can bring a fun twist to discovering the stories of Pensacola.

Hop on and off tours, historical and heritage walking tours, civil war history tours, or maybe even a ghosts and graveyards tour. Go by a guide or get out and discover on your own. Hotel prices start around $86 a night up to $173 for January.

• Take a trolley tour
• Explore the town on a Segway
• Fort Barrancas
• Historic Pensacola Village

February: Best Time to Celebrate Mardi Gras

With year-round good weather, Pensacola always has events lined up outdoors. February is no exception, with temperatures reaching 67 F / 19 C to a low only of 51 F / 11 C. Fun in the streets comes to Pensacola in February.

Mardi Gras in Pensacola is a long-lived tradition since 1874. An afternoon of parades, music, dancing, and costumes take place. The streets become a party filled with food vendors and artisans.

More than 100,000 people attend this family-friendly event. There is even a Kids and Kritters Parade so the little ones and pets aren’t left out. So ensure you book your accommodations well in advance when visiting in February.

• Mardi Gras
• Romantic Sunset Sail for Valentine’s Day
• Pensacon
• Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl Event

Related Read: 17 BEST Gulf Coast Florida Beaches for Families

March: Best Time to Go Birdwatching

The spring in Pensacola brings the migrating birds flying north a stopover on their journey. March is the ultimate time to get outside and see all the different species in the comfortable temperatures of 57 F/ 14 C spanning to 70 F/ 21 C. This spring month sees an average of 9 hours of sunshine a day.

The beaches are packed with spring breakers so head for some time in nature. Over 300 species of birds are attracted to the Pensacola area yearly.

Pensacola does have many birds year-round from Great blue herons, pelicans, and native osprey but the spring brings others such as piping plovers. Don't forget to search for the hummingbirds making their way in early March.

• Photograph the spring blooms
• Birdwatching Trails
• McGuire’s 5k Prediction Run
• Ciclovia Open Streets Pensacola

April: Best Time for Fun Festivals

Warm April temperatures can reach averages up to 77 F/ 25 C making it comfortable to get out to all the fun festivals of this spring month.

Flights can cost as little as $130.  Book your flight well in advance for this popular travel time. April is one of the busiest months in Pensacola for vacationers.

Pensacola Arts Market is a time of live music, children's festival, handcrafted items, arts, and vintage boutiques. Food vendors of all types including plant-based come out on this Earth Day celebration.

Join in all the fun with 30,000 other people at one of Pensacola’s most unique yet biggest beach parties. The Interstate Mullet Toss is in fact participants tossing a dead mullet just as the name suggests over the state line of Florida and Alabama.

If you love to eat it's the Pensacola Crawfish Festival that you want to attend. Thousands of pounds of crawfish are boiled in this larger-than-life festival spanning several days.

• Interstate Mullet Toss
• Pensacola Crawfish Festival
• Pensacola Jazzfest
• Pensacola Arts Market

Related Read: 20 Best Clear Water Beaches in Florida

May: Best Time for Evenings at the Beach

The last month of spring has daytime temperatures averaging 77 F / 25 C. With only an 18 % chance of rain daily it is considered to be one of the driest months of the year. May is perfect for stargazing and evening on the beach.

Beginning after sunset and running until 10 pm the free event sets up telescopes to see into the night sky. Catch a glimpse of the Milky Way, planets, and other galaxies.

Enjoy the evenings overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with their ongoing series of Bands at the Beach which runs from April until October.

• Walk the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
• Stargazing Night Events
• Bands on the Beach
• Night Time Glow Kayaking

June: Best Time for Water Activities

The first month of summer brings 14 hours of sunshine a day so June is the ultimate month to be outside at the water. Ocean temperatures reach 84 F/ 29 C. June flight prices can start at $178 one way.

The long sunny days bring temperatures reaching an average of 86 F/ 30 C. Pack sunscreen, plenty of water, and don't forget breaks in the shade. Getting out onto the clear waters is a great way to see Pensacola.

There are sunset cruises, dolphin tours, and fishing charters to choose from. Head out paddle boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, or rent a pontoon.

• Book a Fishing Charter
• Dolphin Watching
• Grande Fiesta Parade
• Pensacola Bay Cruise

July: Best Time for Events in the Sky

July is the rainiest month of the year where each day you can expect a chance of 39 % precipitation. A typical day could receive about 0.1 inches (4.55 mm) of rainfall, however, it doesn’t stop Pensacola from all its outdoor events in the sky.

Independence Day brings grand celebrations of fireworks, BBQs, and children's festivals. There are festivals on the beach and even a hot dog eating contest.

Blue Angels Airshow takes over the sky in July. They are the U.S. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron performing aerobatic acts. July is a hot summer month, so bring plenty of water and an umbrella for shade. The heat index has an average of 108.5 F/ 42.5 C.

• Pensacola Beach Air Show
• July 4 Fireworks

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• Firecracker 5K
• Parasailing

Related Read: 11 Best Beaches in Alabama

August: Best Time to Discover Pensacola

The hottest month of the year sees temperatures from 88 F/ 31 C to lows of 79 F/ 26 C. Exploring the shops, sights, and museums is a good way to cool off in August and learn all about Pensacola.

Stroll under the trees and cool off at Palafox Market, shopping for fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and artwork in downtown Pensacola. Historic Saenger Theatre hosts movies, concerts, and even comedy acts and can get you out of the heat.

Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum takes you up to see Pensacola from above. There is a reading room to sit back and rest your feet and a museum of maritime displays.

• Palafox Market
• Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
• Saenger Theatre
• Seville Historic District

September: Best Time for Outdoor Festivals

September has gentle breezes and daily highs of 87 F /31 C to lows of 73 F/ 23 C. It makes for a perfect month to be outside enjoying all of Pensacola’s outdoor festivals. Most of the spring breakers and vacationers have headed back home and crowds have diminished.

September still falls within hurricane season, but that doesn’t slow down Pensacola. For 2 days, the Gulf Coast Summer Fest runs, so bring your chairs and coolers and head down to relax at the water.

Rain or shine, the Pensacola Seafood Festival runs. Seafood is at the heart of Pensacola and is celebrated for 3 days downtown. With arts, crafts, food trucks, and succulent seafood right from the Gulf of Mexico, it’s one of the tastiest festivals in September.

• Gulf Coast Summer Fest
• Bulls on the Beach
• Pensacola Seafood Festival
• Vettes at the Beach Car Show

October: Best Time to Be Outdoors

October temperatures cool down in Pensacola to lows of 63 F/ 17 C. With only an average of 3.6 inches of rain, it is the month with the least rain. Daytime highs can reach 81 F/ 27 C making for idyllic fall weather to be outside and beat the heat.

Pensacola has bike tours downtown, or explore the streets yourself. Hiking the trails or walking along the shores. The beaches are a lot less crowded than in the previous months.

The fall season is in full swing with Pensacola's Interstate Fair with music, rides, and fair foods. Halloween has children's events of Beach-o-ween, haunted tours, hay rides, and trolley tours, something for all ages.

• Pensacola Interstate Fair
• Pensacola Beach Songwriter’s Festival
• Pensacola Taste of the Beach
• Halloween Haunted Tour

November: Best Time to Celebrate the Arts

Although Pensacola is known for its beaches the water is a bit cool at 73 F/ 23 C, you may want to stay above water and try kitesurfing. November’s temperatures of 72 F/ 22 C to lows of 63 F/ 17 C are best served out enjoying all of Pensacola’s Art Festivals.

For 12 days the Foo Foo Festival celebrates the arts.  Live music, interactive art, theater, and culinary experiences attract people to this annual fall event.

The Great Gulfcoast Art Festival is famous across the United States, lasting 3 days. They include performing arts, live music, a Children's Arts Festival, Student Art Show, and craft artists. Over 200 artists attend this popular event and of course, there is plenty of food and drink.

• Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival
• Foo Foo Festival
• Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
• Frank Brown International Songwriter Festival

December: Best Month to Celebrate the Festive Season

It may not feel like it’s the winter season with temperatures at 63 F / 17 C and lows only averaging 51 F/ 11 C. But it is the most humid with 78 % relative humidity. The festive season comes alive in Pensacola with lights and festivities.

First City Lights Festival has the downtown glowing with half a million white lights. Outdoor markets and live music brings the historic downtown into the holiday spirit.

While Winterfest has you celebrating with the Who’s on their Grinch Tour and riding on the Polar Express.  Try and make time for the Cajun Christmas Experience or the classic tale on the Scrooge Tour.

East Hill Annual's All Vehicle Sleigh Ride lights up the evening streets with its festivities. When they say all vehicles, they really do mean it! Not just cars, but golf carts, wagons, bikes, and even your dog's leash are decorated.

• Winterfest
• First City Lights Festival
• East Hill All Vehicle Sleigh Ride
• Enjoy a Christmas Dinner Show

When is the Best Time to Visit Pensacola to Avoid the Crowds?

September and October are the best months to visit Pensacola if you are looking to avoid the crowds. Fall sees the crowds settle down, and temperatures average in the mid-70s (low 20 C).

Summer vacationers and spring breakers will have returned home, and the beach atmosphere becomes a bit calmer. Temperatures in the water are still pleasant to swim with averages in the low 80s (mid-20 C).

When is the Best Time to Visit Pensacola with Family?

Pensacola isn’t just for spring breakers, but families too. Vacation rentals can start at $91 per night in October. Weather averages at 73 F / 23 C which is comfortable for children to be outside and it is nearing the end of hurricane season.

After days at the beach, there are amusement parks, playgrounds, animal parks, science centers, and boardwalks. So, whether it is overcast or sunny, there’s something for all forecasts.

Bring sand toys, sunscreen, and an umbrella from the sun if visiting the seashore. Halloween season sees many activities for children with costume contests and trick-or-treating events downtown.

When is the Best Time to Avoid Hurricanes in Pensacola?

Hurricane season begins June 1st and runs until November 30th, so if that is a concern, it is best to avoid these months. The peak potential months are August through November.

However, Pensacola doesn’t experience a high level of severe storms, typically one about every two years. So, it should not deter you completely from visiting within these months. It is best to pay attention to weather forecasts and advisories of any potential threats that are being tracked.