Pensacola Beach has always been known for its pristine white sands, while over on the mainland in Pensacola, there is a whole wide world of music, food, and fun to be had throughout the year. Most notably, in the Fall, the local community rolls out the seasonal staple, the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival. Begun over a decade ago to capitalize on the treasure trove of artistic resources at the city’s disposal and named for impromptu musical acts on late 19th-century sailing vessels, Foo Foo Festival is a twelve-day city-wide event where local Pensacola non-profits are gifted county funding to put on a show; through live performances, art installations, food pop-ups, the list of experiences is truly endless. A cultural hub for locals and tourists alike, Pensacola is booming and open for business; featuring new breweries, restaurants, and artistic experiences opening every month, with Foo Foo Festival as an incredible showcase of everything this historic town has to offer.
Eleven years ago, local non-profit Arts, Culture, and Entertainment, Inc. (ACE), a collection of local entrepreneurs and residents—all volunteers— came together to found the Foo Foo Festival. Their primary focus? Attracting out-of-town guests to their coastal community once the warmer months had passed. Since then, Foo has become a staggering success and a highly-anticipated annual event.
“We have some of the finest beaches in the world, but you can only go to the beaches so many times, and Summer only lasts so long,” says Nicole Stacey, Vice President of Destination Development for Visit Pensacola and the Curator of the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival. “Once upon a time, the first two weeks of November were the slowest tourism time for our local community. Now, because of the popularity of events like the Foo Foo Festival, we have something new and exciting happening every day. In recent years, the Fall has become as busy a time as any other, allowing visitors to support local businesses and discover a different side of Pensacola.”
A showcase for the vibrant community of non-profit and arts organizations throughout the city, Foo Foo is an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of once-in-a-lifetime events and experiences. Featuring thirteen unique grant-funded events in 2024, Foo Foo organizers hope to offer something for everyone every year, allowing the grant recipients to stretch their creative impulses and craft something truly special for visitors.
“We try to cater to all audiences while allowing our arts organizations to come together and show off,” says Therese Felth McKenzie, Chair of the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival. “Acts like Manchester Orchestra at Night Moves Fest were mega hits with visitors and locals in past years. Every year, we strive to offer something new and exciting.”
2024 is primed to be bigger and better than ever, making Pensacola the musical hub of the Gulf Coast in November. Night Moves Fest returns on November 9, 2024, with a jam-packed schedule of alternative/indie music from headliners ALVVAYS, Silversun Pickups, and Beach Fossils performed in a gorgeous open-air amphitheater, Pensacola’s Community Maritime Park. The 309 Punk Project also returns to light up the night with a Night Market, film festival, live music, and dazzling circus acts as part of Night on the Tracks. On the fine arts front, the Wide Angle Photo Club is presenting “Pensacola Through the Camera” and the “Power of Photography® Show & Exhibit” photography experiences, while theatreer fans can enjoy a performance of Lizzie: The Musical, a musical retelling of the Lizzie Borden story, along with a presentation of Carmen: The Traveler by the Pensacola Opera. These, along with a myriad of eclectic food and drink opportunities, are just a small taste of everything the Foo Festival has in store this year.
“Foo Foo is an incredible exhibition for everything Pensacola represents,” says Stacey. “We can’t wait for folks who visit to be a part of the Pensacola story; to love it, cherish it, and share it with the world.”
Pensacola has always been The Way to Beach™ on the Gulf Coast. With the success of the Foo Foo Festival, this bustling community is showcasing something new; an Artful Way To Beach, and everyone is invited to join the festivities.
Learn more about this year’s Foo Foo Festival at foofoofest.com.
