Best Bets

Best Bets

Check your Best Bets before you make your weekend plans, so you don't miss out! We've got local events, concerts and more all along the Gulf Coast.Full Bio

 

Best Bets for the Weekend, Dec 17- Dec 19

ELF- Thurs 7pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre

Elf is a 2003 American Christmas comedy starring Will Ferrell as the title character, a human raised by Santa's elves, who learns about his origins and heads to New York City to meet his biological father. James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, and Bob Newhart appear in supporting roles. CLICK HERE   

MOVIES AT MEYER PARK: ELF- Thurs 6pm, Meyer Park, Gulf Shores

Locals and visitors are invited to bring their lawn chairs and blankets and join us at Meyer Park for a free movie under the stars! Food trucks will be set up for those wishing to purchase food, and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will be present selling soft drinks and beer. CLICK HERE  

MOBILE SYMPHONIC POPS BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT- Thurs 7pm, Mary G Montgomery High School, Mobile

Come out and hear some of your favorite Christmas tunes just in time for the holidays. Plus, the MGM Band will be opening for the Pops this year. This concert is FREE for the public to attend! CLICK HERE   

BALLET PENSACOLA presents THE NUTCRACKER- Fri 7pm; Sat 11am and 7pm; Sun 1:30pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre

It's time to join Clara as she embarks on a magical journey through the toy soldiers, mice filled battle fields, glistening snowflakes and delicious festivities in the Land of the Sweets! CLICK HERE 

  

ROMAN STREET- MARLOW BOYS CHRISTMAS- Fri 7:30pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre

It’s time for the annual Roman Street Christmas concert live at the Mobile Saenger Theatre! This year, Roman Street will once again share the stage with Marlow Boys. Come hear Christmas Classics done in a new and exciting way. CLICK HERE   

GALLERY NIGHT PENSACOLA: UGLY SWEATER DAY- Fri 5pm-9pm, downtown Pensacola

This month’s Gallery Night theme is “Ugly Sweater Day”! Celebrate the Holiday Season by donning your favorite cozy sweater. Visit participating bars and restaurants, grab some street food from a food truck, and bask in the holiday magic of Downtown Pensacola complete with our iconic holiday lights. CLICK HERE   

A CHARLIE BROWN JAZZ CHRISTMAS featuring TAYLOR HICKS- Sat Dec 17, 7pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre

Don’t miss the 13th annual family-friendly Mobile Christmas tradition! The show includes a performance by The Joe Cool Trio – John Milham (drums), Chris Spies (piano), and Chris Severin (bass) - performing Vince Guaraldi’s Masterpiece Soundtrack, A Charlie Brown Christmas. This year’s show will also feature the musical gifts of singer, song writer and American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks! A portion of proceeds will go to The Child Advocacy Center. CLICK HERE   

A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS- Sat Dec 17, 7:30pm, Mobile Civic Center

Since bursting to national acclaim after appearing as semi-finalists on ‘America’s Got Talent’, Lightwire Theater has gone on to enthrall audiences worldwide with their dazzling visuals and unique menagerie of characters that magically appear out of the darkness. Combining the arts of puppetry, theater and dance with the music of timeless holiday hits, this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope creates a truly one-of-a-kind, inspired and exhilarating holiday experience that will be a treasured memory for years to come. CLICK HERE 

WHITE TIE CHRISTMAS - Sat Dec 17, 8pm, Pensacola Bay Center

Kick off the holiday season with a family friendly holiday tribute concert featuring the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Springsteen, McCartney, the Eagles and other holiday classics.  CLICK HERE   

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA & TOY GIVEAWAY- Sat 10am-2pm, James Seals Park, Texas St, Mobile

This is a free event for the entire community! Enjoy music with a Live DJ, Christmas Crafts, Bounce Houses/Inflatables, Games & Activities, Photo Ops with Santa Claus, and MORE! Toy Give-a-Away is limited. First come, first served. CLICK HERE   

    

CHRISTMAS AT THE EXPLOREUM- Sat 10am-2pm, Exploreum Science Center, downtown Mobile

Join us for our family friendly favorite event, Christmas at the Exploreum!

Wear your coziest, family-friendly pajamas to our Cozy Christmas celebration! CLICK HERE

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS- Fri 7pm, Sun 4pm, Christ Church Cathedral, downtown Mobile

This opera tells the story of Amahl, a shepherd boy. When three kings come knocking on his and his mother’s door, Amahl is enchanted. When the kings describe the child they are seeking, Amahl and his mother are intrigued and moved. Their faith results in a miracle. This semi-staged production is in collaboration with Classical Ballet of Mobile. CLICK HERE  

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER JR.- Thurs/Fri 7:30pm; Sat 11am and 2:30pm; Sun 2:30pm, Pensacola Little Theatre

The holiday classic soars off the screen in this Broadway Junior, 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved television special. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. CLICK HERE   

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER- Fri 7pm; Sat 2pm and 7pm; Sun 2pm, Baker High School, Mobile

The Azalea City Center for the Arts and Sunny side Theater are proud to present Mobile’s first-ever production of the holiday classic based on the movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. CLICK HERE   

CHRISTMAS ZOOBILEE- Sat/Sun 10:30am-4:30pm, Gulf Breeze Zoo

Christmas ZOObilee includes Santa, the Grinch, winter-themed bounce stations, live music and entertainment, and a Candy Cane Market. With all event activities included with regular daytime admission, Christmas ZOObilee is this seasons can't miss holiday event. CLICK HERE   

TUBA CHRISTMAS CONCERT - Sun 6pm, Bicentennial Pavilion, Medal of Honor Park, Mobile

All players of Tuba and Euphonium are welcome to join us in performing holiday favorites! Any age and skill welcome.

The warm, rich organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience and become a tradition in cities throughout the world. CLICK HERE    

DANNY O’FLAHERTY’S CELTIC CHRISTMAS- Sun 7pm, The Beach Church, 920 Panferio Drive, Pensacola Beach

Danny O'Flaherty's Celtic Christmas encompasses the customs, stories and songs from each of the Celtic nations. This all-ages show is the perfect event to kick off the Holiday season with the entire family. Join Danny and slip back in time to savor the Christmas season as it has been celebrated among the Celtic people for centuries. CLICK HERE    

HOLIDAY EXPRESS- A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR- Dec 17-18 & Dec 22-24, Sat 7pm, Sun 3pm, OWA Theater, OWA Theme Park, Foley

Get into the holiday spirit and watch it come to life on stage at the OWA Theater for this original Christmas spectacular! It’s the holiday season and Bastian is getting into the Christmas spirit at home when he breaks a “not-so-magical” family heirloom. CLICK HERE    

FINDING CHRISTMAS- Dec 15th-26th, Wed-Mon 3pm and 7pm; additional show Saturday 11am, Beau Rivage Theatre, Biloxi

Do you believe in the magic of the Holidays? Finding Christmas is a Broadway-style musical variety production that follows a young brother & sister duo who set out on a quest to find the true meaning of Christmas. CLICK HERE   

2022 AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Game- Fri 7pm, Hancock-Whitney Stadium, USA campus, Mobile

This Alabama High School Athletic Association annual football game features the top 74 senior players in the state of Alabama competing in a North vs. South Alabama format. This is the 3rd time the game will be played in Mobile. CLICK HERE   

LENDING TREE BOWL: Rice University vs Southern Miss- Sat 4:45pm, Hancock-Whitney Stadium, USA campus, Mobile

The game will be televised nationally on ESPN. The LendingTree Bowl has built a reputation of fielding some of the most competitive and exciting games of the Bowl season. CLICK HERE   

GREERS MARKETS/AL.COM MARDI GRAS PARADE- Fri 6:30pm, downtown Mobile

The route for the parade is new this year, and will feature floats from 20 mystic societies, high school bands, and the bands and cheerleaders from Rice and Southern Miss. 

The two college bands will peel off at Dauphin and Conception for a "Battle of the Bands," and then after the parade visit the street party with live music and Santa! THIS IS ALABAMA STREET PARTY (8pm-until) will be on Dauphin St from South Jackson St to South Royal St. There will be performers located at Bienville Square. CLICK HERE   

WHO’S BAD- Fri 7:30pm, Mobile Civic Center

Who’s Bad’s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music’s one true King. As the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band, and the only one to predate his untimely passing, Who’s Bad has awed even the skeptics and ignited crowds on every continent and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see. CLICK HERE   

NE-YO & MONICA- Sun 7pm, Mobile Civic Center, CLICK HERE  

RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE- ***SOLD OUT*** Sun 8pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre, CLICK HERE   

RENT- Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm, Joe Jefferson Playhouse, Mobile

Based on Puccini’s beloved opera La Bohème, Rent follows the ups and downs of a year in the life of a group of impoverished, artistic friends living in Manhattan’s East Village. CLICK HERE  

 

MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS- Fri Nov 25- Wed Jan 4, open nightly (closed December 25 and January 1), Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore

Stroll through a dazzling light display throughout the 65-acre Garden estate. In addition, the Bellingrath Home is decorated in its holiday finery and enhanced with beautiful poinsettias. Santa will be at Bellingrath Gardens & Home nightly from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through December 23rd. He is available for pictures in the Magnolia Room, adjacent to the Café. CLICK HERE  

HOLIDAY LIGHTS DRIVE-THRU AT BICENTENNIAL PARK- Nov 28- Dec 29, 5pm-9pm (excluding Dec 23-26), Baldwin County Bicentennial Park, 51233 State Highway 225 Stockton, AL

This event is FREE to the public. Only passenger vehicles will be allowed. Buses, RVs, and other commercial vehicles are prohibited. CLICK HERE   

SOWELL’S NORTH POLE- Nightly 5:30pm-9pm through Dec 25th, Sowell Farms, 7650 Sowell Rd Milton, FL

Sowell’s North Pole Christmas Light Display (drive-through and/or park) is an annual Christmas light show put on by the Sowell family. Come enjoy train rides, photos with Santa, camel rides and more! CLICK HERE  

PENSACOLA WINTERFEST - Fri-Sun,Nov 18-Dec 24, Plaza Wonderland on Palafox Place, downtown Pensacola

Experience the holidays with the Grinch Trolley Tour, the Scrooge Tour, and the Polar Express. Winterfest tours and performances light up beautiful Downtown Pensacola from Historic Seville to the Palafox Business District. Join the many different Winterfest characters on journeys through their stories! CLICK HERE  

WINTER AT THE WHARF: 

Ice Skating Rink- Nov 11-Jan 16

Grab a pair of skates and glide, spin or fall into the season by coasting on blades.

The Wharf North Pole Express- Saturdays plus select dates,Nov-Dec 10am-10pm, near the Ferris wheel

Put on your PJs and ride The Wharf North Pole Express each Saturday until Christmas. 

Horse & Carriage Rides- Select nights, Nov-Jan, Main Street

Saddle up for the season by spending an evening under the moonlight in an enchanted horse-drawn carriage.

CLICK HERE for dates/times

Christmas Ugly Sweater Party With Adult Friends

Photo: Getty Images


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