Insiders Guide to Pensacola Beach Air Show
To Plan Your Air Show Day
Your Arrival Maneuver:
Come early. Plan to stay all day. Parking is free in the public areas and fills up fast. It is not unusual for the Casino Beach parking lot to reach capacity (last year on Thursday, 9:35 a.m.; Friday at 6:45 a.m.; Saturday, 3:45 a.m.) - when it does, it is closed. There are a couple of paid parking opportunities (@Laguna’s parking: https://pimg.fyi/park-blue-angels-2026) (@Salty Rose www.facebook.com/SaltyRoseatThePensacolaBeachResort) (@ The Landing at Red Fish Blue Fish VIP Experience includes parking (2) Facebook) and (@Pensacola Beach Hilton Gulffront has a trolley/air show VIP ticketed experience (2) Facebook).
Residents will tell you, ride the trolley, bike or walk to the show site. Good advice. Special Trolley service begins at 7:30 a.m. Friday, with service as far as Park East until 6 p.m.; then running the regular routes until midnight.
At 6:30 a.m. Saturday, 3 trolleys and 7 busses will whisk you where you need to go. The routes will be extended to Park East, located a mile east of Portofino and Park West at the end of Fort Pickens Road. The service will run all day. At the conclusion of the air show, you will want to be on the first set of busses and trolleys, otherwise it is a long wait for them to return. Transportation to Park East ends at 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., trolleys run the regular routes until midnight.
What To Bring:
A load of patience and a cooler full of water. Sunscreen and snacks. Beach chairs and umbrellas. Beach businesses will be open and serving before, during and after the show. Come early and check out the Casino Beach marketplace vendors. Or stroll around and browse some of the gifts shops. Flo Flounders has everything you need for a great beach day and it’s air-conditioned.
What Not To Bring:
Drones. Flying at the wrong time in the wrong place could stop the Air Show. Know the rules. Officials are serious about this one.
Dogs. Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue’s Katie King warns, “This is not an occasion for Fido, or any other pets for that matter. Dogs are only allowed at the two designated dog beaches on either side of the island, neither of which are a great vantage point for the air show.”
Where to sit:
The show can be viewed from almost any vantage point on the sand and beyond. The centerpoint is near the Gulf Pier. Be mindful of your surroundings. Don’t walk or stand on the dunes. And, leave only your footprints on the beach.
Keep Your Cool:
The Gulf is open for swimming under the watchful eye of the Pensacola Beach lifeguards except during the air show performances. All other water remains available for swimming – after all, this is an island. There will be a giant water mister set up at the Casino Beach.
Helpers:
Stay hydrated. Officials stress the importance of water all day long. If you feel the effects of the heat such as dizziness, headache or worse, trained staff is on site to help. Emergency medical personnel are plentiful and will know just what to do.
Cooling Tent – Hydration Station sponsored by ProHealth is located next to the Pensacola Beach Visitor Center. Free ice water, fans and friendly faces.
Hear ye, Hear ye:
The power of Boogie, Inc. will provide sound for everything from weather announcements, lost children and the official-sounding Blue Angels narrators. They let you know when the Gulf closes to swimming and give the all-clear to get back in.
At the conclusion of the Blue Angels performance, in a moment of pure patriotism, crowds pause to listen to the national anthem. The American flags fluttering in the beach breeze make a perfect ending to a great day.
Mole Patrol:
The Baptist Cancer Institute is sponsoring a skin screening located at the Public Safety building, on Friday, July 17 from 8 to noon. Let them look you over. No appointment necessary.
Show Central:
Pensacola Beach Chamber coordinates a mini-marketplace, called the Blues Beachside Bazaar. Look for the white tents. Shop. Sip. Grab a bite.
Blue Wahoo’s (premier sponsor) and beer sales
Pensacola Energy
Renewal by Anderson
T-Mobile
Cesars Concessions
Gulf Coast Getaways
Domino’s Pizza
GeoWhiz (beach bag sales and Pier Pals coloring Books)
Waves and Welds permanent Jewelry
Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream
Prim in Proper
Plastic Engraving
Shotgun BBQ
Emerald Coast IV and Hydration
Branches of the military will line the show site with kiosks and hands on activities for all ages. As always, the United States Marine Corps recruiters are a big hit with young and old offering prizes to strong armed visitors at their chin–up bar.
Float My Boat:
The waterways around the island are packed with vessels. If you plan to boat, arrive early. Use care.
The U.S. Coast Guard vessel will serve as centerpoint out in the Gulf. As always, it’s worth walking over to see the pleasure boats in the Sound and Little Sabine Bay. Swimmers should use caution near the hundreds of watercraft.
Clean Beach:
Leave only your footprints. That means take everything home with you. Do not leave beach supplies, cigarette butts, trash or your kids for someone else to deal with.
Exit Strategy:
Chill out. If you don’t have to rush, don’t. Walk to a nearby beach restaurant. Get in the air conditioning. Go shopping. Go swimming.
If you are compelled to leave immediately, use care. Be patient. Be sober.
Deputies will direct traffic as needed. Use courtesy when driving. If you are on your bicycle or on foot, the same things apply.
The Pensacola Beach Air Show is hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.