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Free Thanksgiving Dinner at Harbor Docks
November 22
with Habitat for Humanity
Destin, Fl
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For the past 13 years Charles Morgan, owner of Harbor Docks offers free Thanksgiving Dinner to the community through the help of Habitat for Humanity. Locals, tourists and snowbirds join the annual dinner to offer their support to eliminate substandard living conditions locally.. A family-friendly atmosphere, with a cash bar available.  Donations accepted for Habitat for Humanity.
Details:  850-315-0025, ext 3 or www.habitatfwb.org

Home for the Holidays
Nov. 23 –Dec. 21
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays
Downtown, Panama City, FL

Businesses in Downtown Panama City have weekly events including Horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hot chocolate and Cider, Carolers and Performers, Lots of Holiday Shopping!
Details: 850-785-2554  or www.panamacitydowntown.com

Historic Apalachicola Annual Holiday Celebration
Nov. 23
4:30 to 8 p.m.
The streets of downtown will be lined with luminaries and filled with holiday spirit. Merchants will be open late and the sounds of carolers will echo through the streets filling the evening with Christmas spirit.
Details: 850-653-9419 or www.apalachicolabay.org

Holiday Fresh Market
December 1
Apalachicola, Fl

Why fight the crowds and traffic at the malls? Come for the day or the weekend. Shop in a relaxed, hassle-free environment. Buy hand-crafted Apalachicola specialties from fress seasonal wreaths to vintage European glass bead jewelry. Your gift shopping has never been easier - or more fun.
Details: (850) 653-9419 or www.apalachicolabay.org

Island Lights
Dec. 1
St. George Island, Fl

Celebrate the holidays Island Style with the lighting of the palm trees in the center of St. George Island.
Details: 850-927-2604 or www.apalachicolabay.org

Outdoor Ice Skating at The Wharf
Through Jan. 1, 2008
Orange Beach, Al

Skate sessions have been created to ensure the best experience for new and novice ice skaters. Sessions by appointment are also available for groups of 15+The rink is located under the arch at Levin's Bend Condominiums on Main Street and Wharf Parkway. Price: $6 per person or $9 combo per person (Combo tickets include a ride on the Ferris wheel and 10 percent discount at The Wharf Store.)
Details:  251-224-1000 or  www.thewharfal.com

Ice Skating at The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Through Dec. 27

The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin features an ice skating rink in the Events Plaza, transforming the Village into a tropical winter wonderland. Cost: $6, skate rental $2.

Details:  www.sandestin.com

Nautical Christmas
Saturdays through Dec. 22

The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Sandestin, Fl
Santa and Dickens Carolers stroll and perform at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.
Details: 850-267-8117 or www.sandestin.com

40th Annual Trim A Tree
Through Dec. 23
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Performing Arts Center
119 W. Laurel Ave. Foley

The Art Center is filled with Christmas decorations and gift ideas all hand-made and for sale. Everything sold handmade selling collection of antique items, ornaments, teddy bears, dolls.
Details: 251-943-4381

Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights
Nov. 22-Dec. 31, Nightly 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road
Theodore, Alabama
Bellingrath Gardens and Home Magic Christmas in Lights, spectacular holiday light display. Details: 800-247-8420 or  www.bellingrath.org

Holiday Evening in Olde Seville Square
Nov 29. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Complete with hot chocolate, caroling by candlelight and joyous holiday music from Seville Square in Historic Downtown Pensacola. The Pensacola Civic Band, McGuire’s Bagpipe Band and special guest stars Clark & Company will fill the square with all-holiday music.
Details: 850) 438-6505

Winterfest Downtown Pensacola
Nov. 22-Dec. 31
Downtown Pensacola, Fl

Five different tours start Thanksgiving and run various dates and times through Christmas Eve. Winterfest's premier tour features 14 performances along a 45 minute trip through downtown Pensacola. Singing guides accompany you into a world of wonder featuring scenes from your favorite holiday memories, including Elvis, Rudolph, and the Grinch! Performance Tours run Friday and Saturday nights from Thanksgiving until December 15, plus a special Bonus Night on Sunday, December 16. Tickets at T.T. Wentworth Museum.
Details: 850-435-0914 or www.pensacolawinterfest.org


Entertainment Series 2008 presents A Merry Christmas with Brass
Dec. 10
Erie Meyer Civic Center, Gulf Shores
Tickets: $25.00 and $21.00
Hear the Dallas Brass holiday show with sacred and secular holiday favorites along with the regular Dallas Brass repertoire as they express the celebratory spirit of the season.
Details: 251-968-1172 or  www.cityofgulfshores.org 

The Gulf Coast Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
Erie Meyer Civic Center, 1930 West 2nd Street, Gulf Shores
19th century Germany, Clara falls asleep and dreams of mice attacking the toys under the tree. Her Nutcracker call the Tin Soldiers to the rescue and becomes a real prince.
General admission: $10.00 Seniors, $7.00 Children 5-under $5.00. Tickets may be purchased at Gallery at The Wharf, an art gallery above Live Bait restaurant at The Wharf in Orange Beach.
Phone: 251-269- 9297


Santa and the Snowman
Showing through Jan. 3
J. Bedsole IMAX Theatre
Gulf Coast Exploreum
65 Government St.
Downtown Mobile, Al

The holiday IMAX film is worth the trip to downtown Mobile. While at The Exploreum, visit Human Grossology: The Impolite Science of the Human Body.
Details: 251-208-6879 or www.exploreum.net

Pensacola Beach “Island Spirit”
Multiple events through Dec. 25
The beach lights up Nov. 24 and numerous events are planned. Highlights include a Santa Claus “Lookalike Contest” Dec. 8 at Bamboo Willies. Lighted Boat Parade, Dec. 15, 6 p.m. and Holiday Street Parade, Dec. 16, 2 p.m. Island Caroling aboard a Double Decker Bus from Flounder’s, Dec. 14, 6 pm.
Details: 850-932-1500

Gallery Night
Dec. 7

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Dovetails Art & Frame
1818 Alpine Ave

Navarre, Fl
December will bring the local art of Amy Janke . A multi talented artist, Janke will display her paintings and photography. Wine tasting provided by Zimmerman’s wine international of Destin and live music as well.
Details: 850-939-5311 or www.dovetailsartandframe.com

 

PJC Volunteer Fair
Nov. 27
Student Center, Building 3600, on the PJC Warrington campus.

Sponsored by PJC Outreach & Community Service and Student Leadership & Activities, the fairs are open to anyone wanting to lend a hand. Each year, more than 20 non-profit and community service organizations from Santa Rosa and Escambia counties showcase their opportunities and missions.

Participating agencies include Covenant Hospice, Guardian Ad Litem and Catholic Charities.
Details: Emily Mahood 850-484-1792 or emahood@pjc.edu

 
PLT’s “A Christmas Story”
December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

Pensacola Little Theatre
400 S. Jefferson St

Pensacola, Fl
The first production in Pensacola Little Theatre’s 2007-2008 Treehouse Theatre Series. The show opens on December 7 for seven performances over two weekends.  Details: 850-432.2042 or www.pensacolalittletheatre.com.

“Tis the Season,”

PJC Planetarium
Dec. 3-18, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
A special that recounts historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the winter solstice – Christian, Jewish, Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. And, naturally, the adventure includes astronomy. Audiences learn about Northern Hemisphere winter constellations and discover why we have seasons.
Details: 850-484-1847 or http://planetarium.pjc.edu

4th Annual Holiday Doggy Fashion Show
Dec. 8, Registration Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Destin Commons

Bring the family dog to Destin Commons Center Plaza for a walk down the Doggy Red Carpet in their favorite holiday outfit. Fashion show begins at 2 p.m. Pets can have their photo taken with Rudolph and Frosty, or have their caricature drawn by Deano. Details: Details: 850.337.8700 or www.destincommons.com

Victorian Holiday Tea
December 15
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
115 Westview Avenue
Valparaiso, FL

A Victorian Holiday tea. Learn traditions and etiquette of the 19th century. A wonderful event for the young and young at heart.
Cost $10/person. $5 HMNF members.
Details: 850-678-2615 or www.heritage-museum.org

Norman Rockwell Holidays

Throughout November and December

Destin Commons

Destin Commons is transforming its streetscape to unveil an educational, interactive “Norman Rockwell Holidays” experience. The Holiday decorations are all brand new and reflect a Norman Rockwell theme throughout – from the spectacular 50’ Christmas tree, to a brand new Santa station, lights twinkling up and down Main Street, Holiday street lamp banners, and exciting life-size interactive multi-media Norman Rockwell vignettes throughout Destin Commons. Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post magazine covers spanned a half-century from the 1920’s to the l960’s.
Details:  850.337.8700 or www.destincommons.com

JANUARY 5, 2008
Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians with Al Pierson
Martin Theatre
409 Harrison Ave.
Panama City

Tickets available now.  One night only! The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven"
Sponsored by the Sussex-Bay Foundation.
Details: 850-527-0522

Mark Twain Tonight
Jan. 9
Annie
Jan. 30
Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Okaloosa-Walton College
Veteran actor Hal Holbrook brings his famous one-man show, MARK TWAIN TONIGHT, to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton College followed by the new national tour of America’s most beloved musical, ANNIE, which appears January 30. Tickets to both these 2008 shows are now available from the center’s box office by phone, by web or in-person.
Details: 850-729-6000 or www.owc.edu/arts.