Northwest Florida Holiday Events December 2011 Calendar

Oh, and if you're looking for that "Perfect Christmas Tree," why not visit a Northwest Florida Christmas Tree Farm this year and choose and cut your own.

As always, there's so much going on, it's hard to keep up.

So, are we missing something?

If you have an item you think should be on the Northwest Florida 2011 December Holiday Events Calendar, you can submit it right here. Be sure to put the event title, date, time, location and if there is a cost.

Click here to add an event.

Also, if you see something that isn’t correct, please Contact me. I'm only human and mistakes are easily made, so please let me know about it so I can fix it.

Meanwhile, browse through this list of December holiday events in Northwest Florida and enjoy.

Note: All times listed on the Northwest Florida 2011 December Holiday Events Calendar are U.S. Central Time Zone unless otherwise indicated.

Help light-up a 150-ft Christmas Tree at the Pensacola Lighthouse and tour the beautifully decorated Keepers Quarters. Visit with Santa Claus and listen to Christmas stories in the parlor while enjoying cookies, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate.

Presented by the Santa Rosa Arts & Culture Foundation, this old fashioned holiday event features a performance of English Hand Bells, a Live Nativity Scene, Charles Dickens Carolers, Horse & Carriage Rides ($5 per person), and activities at 25 venues around town. Sunday features a Christmas Parade and the Festival of Trees.

Start your holidays in historic Downtown Panama City with this family-friendly Christmas celebration. Friday nights will feature horse-drawn carriage rides ($5 for adults, kids 3 and under free), a free Kids' Zone of activities, a Craft Village, photos with Santa, Carol Singers and more. The lighting of the town Christmas tree will be at 4:45 p.m. on Friday, December 2nd at City Hall. On Saturdays, enjoy ice skating in a real ice skating rink for $5, or free with a proof of purchase from a Downtown merchant.

This annual holiday events display puts the Gulf Breeze Zoo in a different light. Enjoy a nocturnal view of the zoo with holiday flair. The animals will love it if you do.

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Once again the Destin History and Fishing Museum hosts the Holiday on the Harbor Destin Boat Parade, where everything from dingys to commercial fishing boats promenade around the Destin Harbor showing off their holiday color. Festivities will be held that afternoon all along the Harbor and the Lighted Boat Parade and judging starts at 6:00 p.m. Boats will start lining up in the Harbor around 5:00 p.m. This family-fun evening finishes with fireworks over East Pass after the parade and is one of the region's most popular holiday events.

This nautical but nice boat parade floats from the Pensacola Beach Marina to the Boardwalk and officially delivers Santa Claus to the island.

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Living Christmas Story

Date: December 9-11, 2011
Hours: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Killearn United Methodist Church, 2800 Shamrock South, Tallahassee
Cost: Free
More Information: Call Susan Moreton at 850-893-1116

Killearn United Methodist Church presents the 25th annual Living Christmas Story. Drive your own vehicle or take one of the church hayrides and travel through “Bethlehem” on the night Jesus was born. Six major scenes depict events described in the Bible surrounding Christ’s arrival, including The Annunciation, Shepherds in the Field, Herod’s Court, Mary and Joseph at the Inn, The Nativity, and The Empty Cross of the Risen Christ. Over 300 church members work each night to present this family favorite holiday production.

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Jingle Jubilee

Date: December 9-11, 2011
Hours: Friday 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Leon County Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee
Cost: Adults $5 per Day or $10 for the Weekend, Children (6-12) $3, Children under 6 free, $15 per ticket for Special Events which includes a Weekend Shopping Pass
More Information: Call Sarah Duncan at 850-225-6596 or visit

This unique annual holiday shopping experience presented by the Junior League of Tallahassee features over 60 merchants offering clothes, accessories, kitchenware, specialty food and drinks, children’s fashions, and gifts for everyone on your list. Special Events include “Girl’s Night Out” on Friday from 5:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m. and “Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

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One of the biggest parades in the region, with bands from all over Escambia County and units coming from as far away as Houston and New Orleans, this night parade ia a glittery holiday treat.

Country music and Southern heritage combine for this down-home holiday celebration. The Redneck Christmas Festival begins at 9:00 a.m. followed by the parade at 1:00 p.m. and both are free. The Bonfire Jam country music concert follows and is a ticketed event.

Boaters will try to win prizes and glory by decorating their boats for the holidays. This night-time boat parade on the Blackwater River is great family fun.

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Enjoy the glitter of thousands of lights on the harbor as the town of Carrabelle's annual Boat Parade of Lights gets underway just after sunset.

Holiday events reach new heights on St. George Island when you climb to the top of the lighthouse for a spectacular view of the sunset and moonrise. Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a sparkliing cider toast to the full moon. Additional climbers are welcome after sunset to view the full moon. Reservations required.

Sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Big Lagoon State Park and the Friends of Pensacola State Parks, Inc., this annual event features a vibrant light display, Walk of Lights, and crafts for children. Santa and Mrs. Clause will be on hand for pictures and to present early Christmas presents to good boys and girls.

Enjoy an old fashion evening at the Lighthouse with caroling, hay-wagon rides and of course tea will be served along with hot wassail, hot chocolate and cookies.

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Watching something drop slowly out of the sky as a transition to the new year is a tradition all over the world, so at the beach, why not drop a beach ball? This family-friendly celebration is a highlight of the region's holiday events and begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by grow-up entertainment at 8:45 p.m.

One of the most popular holiday events with a beach flair is the Pensacola Pelican Drop. Over 50,000 people will flock to downtown Pensacola to celebrate the new year with the landing of a giant Pelican (14 feet tall, with a 20-foot wingspan). Children's activites run from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will feature the special kids' countdown at 8 p.m. with confetti and the "bubble stomp." Live performances on three outdoor stages provide ongoing entertainment throughout the evening and at midnight, the Pelican descends amidst fireworks and more confetti.

Do you know of any Northwest Florida festival or event we've missed?

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