The Pensacola Bay Area , consisting of Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, offers miles of free beaches along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Once you shake the sand from your bathing suit, you can enjoy the area’s free summer concerts 5 nights a week. Bring a blanket or folding chairs and a picnic basket and enjoy the tunes.

Evenings in Olde Seville Square: Thursdays, mid May-Aug. This concert series features a variety of musical styles from big band to jazz and from Broadway to modern dance. (850) 438-6505

Bands on the Beach: Tuesdays, May-Oct. Listen to local bands playing at the Gulfside Pavilion. (850) 932-2257

Sounds of Summer: weekends, June-Aug. The boardwalk amphitheatre. in Pensacola Beach runs a free concert series most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (850) 932-1500

Fiesta Days Celebration: June 2-10. The annual celebration, paying tribute to the founding of Pensacola. Enjoy a boat parade, huge street parade (complete with floats, costumes, and beads), sand-sculpting contest and more. (850) 433-6512.

Pensacola Beach Air Show. July 9. Featuring the world-famous Blue Angels. On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings , watch the Blue Angels practice and even get a pilot’s autograph. (850) 932-2257