Pensacola Winterfest 2023: Christmas Fun for Everyone!
Roll out the red carpet for Christmas when you join in the fun at the Pensacola Winterfest!
This Florida festival is an incredibly unique holiday experience where you can adventure alongside the Grinch, the Polar Express crew, Ebenezer Scrooge, and even Santa Claus himself. Not necessarily at the same time, mind you. However, that would make for a legendary Christmas crossover!
On select days in late November and throughout the month of December, these special live-show tours and photo-ops will be available for everyone to enjoy. This holiday event is great for the whole family, from the smallest Who to the tallest!
So, what are you waiting for? All aboard the tour trolleys! It’s Winterfest time!
Pensacola Winterfest: Tours, Tickets, and Magical Trains
Pensacola Winterfest provides a variety of Christmas journeys for you to embark on with your family – choose from a Christmas caper with the Grinch, a night of spirits with Scrooge, or a classic ride on the Polar Express!
Each show takes place during a trolley tour, with the action happening both inside and outside of the vehicle, so you’re totally immersed in the story! The drive is about 25 minutes long for each tour and will take you through downtown Pensacola, which is decked out in gorgeously glittering lights.
On select nights from November 17 to December 24, you can catch one of these live shows, though the dates of each one differ slightly. You’ll want to plan accordingly depending on which show you want to see!
- Whoville Christmas Caper
November: 17, 19, 24-26
December: 1-3, 8, 10, 15-17, 19-24 - Polar Express
November: 19, 24-26
December: 1-3, 8, 10, 16, 17, 19-24 - Grinch’s Merry Match
November: 17, 19, 24-26
December: 1-3, 8, 10, 15-17, 19-24 - Scrooge Tour
December: 16, 17, 19-24
Ticket prices vary based on the show and date but range from $12.00 to $22.00 (per adult) and $9.00 to $16.00 (per kiddo). Little ones who can sit in a parent’s lap may ride for free!
There are also photo-ops with both Santa Claus and the Grinch, so you can get a fun family portrait this Christmas! Photo-ops are separately ticketed events, with group sessions ranging from $37.00 to $50.00 depending on the date. Santa and the Grinch will both be available for photos on these dates:
November: 19, 24-26
December: 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 19-24
Tickets can be purchased in advance online, and booking your spot is highly recommended. You can double-check the official Pensacola Winterfest calendar on the Winfest website for any possible changes before you book your tickets. Now, let’s dive into the details of each show!
Four Great Shows – Which One Should You Pick??
Every night, Pensacola Winterfest kicks off with a pre-show at the Winterfest Plaza. You can sing and dance with your favorite characters from the various tours, including the Grinch, Scrooge, and tap-dancing servers from the Polar Express!
Pre-shows take place every 20 minutes and are free and open to the public – so even if you’re not able to book a tour, it’s worth stopping by if you’re in the downtown area. You’ll know you’re in the right place when “snow” starts to fall!
But which trolley should you board? Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference! If you’re already a huge fan of one of these Christmas classics, then that probably settles the question. However, if, like us, you enjoy all of these stories, then you’re back to square one. Thankfully, we’ve got info on each show to help you decide which one sounds like it’ll be the best for you and your family!
The Whoville Christmas Caper
A riff on the classic Grinch tale, A Whoville Christmas Caper is brimming with action and adventure. In the original story, the Grinch got away with stealthily stealing Christmas decor in the night… however, the Whoville police are hot on his tail now! The chase is on, and you’re along for the ride!
Can Cindy Lou Who help his heart to grow, or will he be sentenced to life in the Whoville slammer? (Either way, a life sentence might be a little harsh for stealing a Christmas tree…)
The Grinch’s Merry Match
Another Grinch tour?! You bet! This furry green guy is pulling out all the stops in order to become the number one Pensacola Winterfest character! And in light of that, he’s built himself an entire trolley from the trash on Mount Crumpit. Don’t worry. There’s an escape slide all ready to go if the trolly breaks down! (This thing has passed inspection…right??)
You’ll meet lots of Whos along the way, including the mayor, and be able to take part in sing-a-longs of Seussical favorites like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Fah Who Foraze.” Oh, but is that a potential romantic subplot I spy? Surely, “Merry Match” can only mean one thing – finding true Christmas love!
Don’t forget to dress in your Seussian best – the person with the best Seussical look can win a free train ticket!
The Polar Express
Hot, hot, oh, we got it!
The Polar Express has come to Pensacola Winterfest, complete with complimentary hot cocoa! Join the Conductor and his dancing crew on a magical steam engine (or open-air tram, in this case), as they perform musical numbers for your entertainment.
You’ll want to dress warmly for the tram, but the open-air style lets you have the perfect view of the on-street show! You can really get into the spirit of the story by wearing pajamas on the tram. In fact, the person (or group) with the coolest pjs will win free train tickets!
Just remember, the magic of Christmas can always be found by those who believe.
The Scrooge Tour
Only available in late December, the Scrooge Tour might just be the spookiest experience of Pensacola Winterfest. Journey with Ebenezer Scrooge as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future teach him a most valuable lesson: that the spirit of Christmas should live in one’s heart not one day of the year but all 365.
When Scrooge finally repents his miserly ways, he usually celebrates by giving away his chocolate gold coins to all the children on the trolley!
This tour also comes with an exclusive photo-op. The Ghost of Christmas Future is waiting for you with a personalized headstone! (You’ll be able to enter the names of your group and choose from a list of custom epitaphs after you book your tickets.)
Pensacola Winterfest Express Train
There’s another attraction at the Pensacola Winterfest – the adorable, kid-sized electric train! Tickets are only $5.00 a person, and this little locomotive will chug its way through the downtown area every night of Winterfest. It’s a fun way to explore the local lights and sounds of Christmas!
No matter which of the four trolley tours you choose, you’re sure to have a blast at the Pensacola Winterfest! The interactive elements of the shows make them super fun, especially for kiddos. A local staple since 2006, the Pensacola Winterfest is a popular attraction, so we recommend grabbing tickets sooner rather than later if you plan to attend!
Have you been to the Pensacola Winterfest in years past? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
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