53rd Annual THANKSGIVING POW WOW- Thurs/Fri, gates open at 10am, 6477 Jack Springs Rd, Atmore
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ Pow Wow brings two full days of dancing, celebration, and community. From fire-roasted corn and buffalo burgers to classic Thanksgiving plates with turkey and dressing, the food at the Pow Wow is as much a tradition as the dancing and drums. CLICK HERE
TURKEY TROT FOR HOPE 5K- Thurs 8am, Mardi Gras Park, Downtown Mobile
It’s one of the area's favorite Thanksgiving Day traditions! Turkey Trot for Hope is a certified 5K & “Gobble Wobble” fun run Thanksgiving morning in downtown Mobile. All proceeds directly support Rapahope’s free year-round programs for families walking through childhood cancer. CLICK HERE
PENSACOLA ELF PARADE - Fri 12:30 (lineup); 1:25pm (costume judging); 2pm (parade start); Government at Palafox, Downtown Pensacola
It's the perfect kid-sized kickoff to the Christmas season, where your kids and puppies march in a short parade around Downtown. Download and color your ears, wear your best elf outfit, salvage an ugly holiday sweater, or decorate your wagon or stroller. During parade lineup, you can join any contest you like. Santa will announce the winners just before the march.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY HOLIDAY MARKET- Sat 12noon-4pm, Mardi Gras Park, Downtown Mobile
Support local and find unique Christmas gifts for your loved ones at the Small Business Saturday Holiday Market. Shop unique gifts, seasonal treats, and handmade goods from local vendors. CLICK HERE
30th Annual MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS - Nightly 5pm-9pm, Fri Nov 21- Tues Jan 6 (Closed Nov. 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1), Bellingrath Gardens & Home, Theodore
The season is beginning earlier than ever and continuing nightly through January 6th, to give guests even more time to experience the wonder of the season. The show features more than 3 million lights, 1,100 set pieces, and just under 20 themed scenes, transforming the 65-acre Gardens into a glowing winter wonderland. CLICK HERE
PENSACOLA WINTERFEST- Nov 21- Dec 24, Plaza Wonderland, Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola comes alive with song and dance, arts and crafts during the holidays, with “Peanuts Tour,” “Polar Express Tour”, “Scrooge Tour” and “The Grinch’s Merry Match” . Pensacola Winterfest's tours and photos with Santa take place in Plaza Wonderland at the corner of Government Street and Palafox Place. Snow and music starts at 5:30 on Fridays, 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday, on all Tour nights. CLICK HERE
THE NORTH POLE at DOWNTOWN OWA- Fri 6pm-9pm; Sat/Sun 1pm-7pm, Downtown OWA, OWA Parks & Resort, Foley
From November 28th to select days in December, gather the family for holiday moments with Santa! From capturing photos with the big man himself to playing Reindeer Games, the North Pole is filled with festive fun for the whole family. Free to attend; 1 free photo (personal photography not permitted). CLICK HERE
ICE SKATING RINK AT THE WHARF- Mon-Fri 4pm-10pm; Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 12noon-8pm, Nov 14-Jan 19, The Wharf, Orange Beach
Let us bring winter to you! Grab a pair of skates and glide, spin or fall into the season on real ice. CLICK HERE
WALES WEST LIGHT RAILWAY ARCTIC EXPRESS- Fri/Sat/Sun Nov 28-Dec 24 (daily starting Dec 12), Wales West RV Park and Light Railway, Silverhill
All aboard the 2025 Arctic Express at Wales West Light Railway! Guests will ride "Dame Ann", an authentic steam locomotive, through amazing lights, decorations, Christmas music, and SNOW on the way to the North Pole. You take home your own holiday family picture with Santa and each child gets a special TOY. Refreshments, mini train rides, hay-less hayride, playgrounds, and bounce house included in your ticket. Enjoy the snowball cannon for a slight fee. CLICK HERE
THE O’JAYS HOLIDAY SHOW- Sat 8pm, Beau Rivage Biloxi, CLICK HERE
CONDE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE- Sun 2pm-4pm, 104 Theatre St, Mobile
Explore the museum beautifully decorated for Christmas, enjoy holiday treats, and have your picture made with Santa! Free admission. CLICK HERE
PALAFOX MARKET- Sat 9am-2pm, TWO LOCATIONS: Martin Luther King Jr Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand, Pensacola
Join us every Saturday, rain or shine for farm-fresh produce, plants, flowers, baked goods, hand-crafted works of art, sculpture, fresh tea and coffee, delicious food and spices, hand-blown glass, ceramics and much more at the event that was named Florida's Best Farmers Market by Southern Living magazine. CLICK HERE
*************************
COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS @ TEXAS STATE - Sat 2pm, San Marcos TX, ESPN+
Click HERE for the Jags football schedule.
Listen to the Jags all season on Sports Talk 99.5, 96.1 the Rocket and on our free iHeartRadio app. The pre-game shows starts 2 hours prior to kickoff.
IRON BOWL: AUBURN vs ALABAMA - Sat 6:30pm, Auburn, ABC, CLICK HERE
FLORIDA vs FLORIDA STATE - Sat 3:30pm, Gainesville, ESPN2, CLICK HERE
EGG BOWL: MISSISSIPPI STATE vs OLE MISS- Fri 11am, Starkville MS, ABC, CLICK HERE
UWF vs NEWBERRY- Sat 1pm, PenAir Field, Pensacola, CLICK HERE
************************************
Photo: bpperry / iStock / Getty Images