Upcoming Events on the Gulf Coast !

What’s Happening on the Gulf Coast!
Celebrate the unique combination of food, history, art, music and beaches that can all be found in and around our city. From the smaller arts and crafts festivals to the larger music festival, these outdoor parties are fun for the whole family! Don’t just take our word for it! Come see Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Destin, Orange Beach, or Gulf Shores. Find your perfect place on the Gulf Coast whether you are coming to play, stay or invest, Southern Rentals & Real Estate can help to make your sweet Southern experience memorable!

Our Calendar of Events has some of the fun for the Fall Season!

October
Blue Angels practice : Pensacola
Flora Bama Oktoberfest :
Humane Society’s Barktoberfest : Pensacola
13-15 Annual Shrimp Festival : Gulf Shores
13-15 58th Greek Festival : Pensacola
14-Bridge to Bridge Run 5K : Pensacola
17 UWF Symphonic Band Concert Band : Pensacola
18 Fishing Rodeo : Destin
28 Spooky Movie on the Lawn at The Wharf : Orange Beach
22 Art & Wine Festival : Pensacola Beach
24 Bands on the Beach : consecutive Tuesdays : Pensacola Beach
20 Gallery Night Downtown : Pensacola
28 Boo at the Zoo : Gulf Breeze
28 Halloween at Naval Museum: Pensacola
28 Wahooloween : Blue Wahoo Stadium: Pensacola

November
Ice Flyers Hockey is back.
38th Annual Toys for Tots Run :
02 Foo Foo Festival : Pensacola
03 Umbrella Sky Project : downtown Pensacola
03 Annual Oyster Cook Off at The Hangout : Gulf Shores
04 Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival : Harbor Walk Village : Destin
08 Magic Men Live at Saenger Theatre : downtown Pensacola
09 Elf – the musical at Saenger Theatre : downtown Pensacola
17 Ice Skating at The Wharf : Orange Beach
10 An Evening with Guitarist, Gene Bertoncini: PensacolaPensacola Beach
10 Emerald Coast Theatre Co.-Disney Aristocrats Kids show : Destin
10-11 Blue Angel Homecoming Air Show : Pensacola
11 Repti Day – Reptile and Exotic Animals Expr : Navarre
12 Annual Marathon : Pensacola
16 Palafox Market, recurring weekly : downtown Pensacola
18-19 UTR Tennis Tournament : Orange Beach
24 Magic Christmas Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home opens for the month : AL
24 Elf Parade : downtown Pensacola
27-28 Annual Tree Lighting : Orange Beach

December
02 Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks : Pensacola Beach
03 Visit with Santa at the Harbor Walk : Destin
08 Christmas on the Coast : Pensacola Children’s Chorus : downtown Pensacola
09 Christmas Parade : Destin
01-17 Horse and Carriage Riders at The Wharf : Orange Beach
09 Flora Bama Santa Drop
15 Nutcracker at the Saenger Theatre : Pensacola
31 Pelican Drop Celebration – downtown Pensacola

With so much to do around town, whether you are looking to stay for a day or make the move of a lifetime, Southern is dedicated to helping you find the perfect place. Stop by one of our office today.  Southern Rentals and Real Estate

Have a sweet Southern experience !

Holiday Events this Weekend

IMG_7938 editIt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on the Gulf Coast and this weekend you will find plenty of holiday events to enjoy, after you’re done shopping for your next Perdido Key or Pensacola real estate investment, of course.

Near our Perdido Key homes for sale you can attend the always popular Santa Drop at the Flora-Bama. Santa will literally drop in from the sky and land safely at the Flora-Bama to visit and take pictures at 10Am on Saturday, December 12, 2015. There will also be yummy food and fun activities following the drop.

Also on Saturday is the arrival of Billy Claus to LuLu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores. Billy, Santa’s younger, beach-loving brother, will arrive in style with his LuLuBelles at 2PM and celebrate with photos and fun until 5PM. But, the fun at LuLu’s doesn’t stop at 5PM. Keep your seats and watch as the 30th annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade launches from LuLu’s at 5:30PM. You’ll be captivated by this beautiful event.

We hope to see you and your loved ones out at these fun community events taking place this holiday season!

Bellingrath Gardens’ Christmas in Lights

GardenOwning real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast comes with many perks. One of which is getting to enjoy festive holiday events in the evening after a day spent on our still-warm beaches.

One such event we highly encourage you to check out this Christmas takes place at Bellingrath Gardens. Their annual light display has been named by USA Today as one of the top public displays in the country. This year also promises to be extra special, as it is the events 20th anniversary!

If you are not familiar with Bellingrath Gardens, this 65-acre estate is located in Mobile, Alabama and features manicured lawns and abundant gardens. They offer several festivals throughout the year to mark the different seasons with Christmas in Lights being an annual favorite.

The event is currently taking place and will run nightly through January 2, 2016, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Years Day. Entrance to this walking event is $15 for adults and $7 for children. The lights twinkle to life at 5pm and stay lighted until 9pm. We hope to see you there!

Restaurants Open on Christmas near Pensacola

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It’s almost Christmas which means cooking a big meal with friends and family, lots of dishes and a ton of leftovers, right? Well, if you would rather keep the kitchen of your Pensacola home or real estate in Perdido Key sparkling and let someone else cook, we are here to help.

We totally understand if doing another turkey, ham, pan of dressing and all the sides sounds less than appealing, especially since you undoubtedly cooked all that up less than a month ago for Thanksgiving. So, why not let someone else handle the cooking. How nice would it be to get open, open presents, go out for a great meal and then simple lounge around? No prep and no dishes, just joyous relaxation with your loved ones.

So, who will actually be serving Christmas dinner? Several restaurants in Pensacola will throw open their doors to welcome locals and visitors. These includes delicious options such as Jackson’s Steakhouse and The Fish House. Both will be open at 5pm and serving a delicious dinner. If you feel like throwing together on of your favorite sides, consider attending the potluck dinner at the Flora-Bama in Perdido Key. They will provide the meat and lunch begins at 1pm!

Save 20% on Your Christmas Vacation!

Christmas Special

Enjoy an extra special holiday with your family this Christmas and enjoy special savings, too. Wake up to our sandy white beaches and spend your holiday indulging in the best of the Gulf Coast.

Even if you already own Gulf Coast real estate, nothing beats that feeling of being on vacation, especially during the holidays. Break away from the every day and unwind from your holiday stress with a few nights in a Pointe South condo or beach home rental.

Right now, when you reserve your vacation for the week of Christmas with our friends at Pointe South Vacation Rentals, you’ll enjoy 20% off your beach vacation rental! Just call their Vacation Planners to book. Oh, and be sure to enjoy the many holiday events along the Gulf Coast, too, such as ice skating at The Wharf.

Gulf Coast Holiday Events

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Whether you own Gulf Coast real estate or are just here visiting for the holidays, there are many Christmas events taking place in the area that you won’t want to miss.

One of the best, and easiest, places to get into the holiday spirit has to be at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Here you can visit with Santa, enjoy festive holiday light shows each evening at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm, and enjoy a horse and carriage ride throughout the shopping center. You can even partake in ice skating during your Alabama beach vacation!

Another great activity to enjoy during your vacation to Alabama’s Gulf Coast are our lighted parades. If you happen to own a home in Gulf Shores or will be on vacation near there on December 13, be sure to visit LuLu’s restaurant to watch as the local fishing fleet, with decks decked out for the season, sail through Homeport Marina. No matter where you choose to celebrate, we hope you are having a happy holiday season!

Spend Christmas at the Beach

Christmas-Special

How would you like to wake up to a beachfront view this Christmas? Well, thanks to our friends at Pointe South Vacation, you can!

Even if you already own real estate in Northwest Florida or Coastal Alabama, you may not live directly on the beach. With Pointe South’s latest deal, you and your loved ones can wake up and open gifts with a view of the emerald waves and white, sandy shores.

So, what’s the deal exactly? They are giving away a free night. Reserve a beach vacation to any of their destinations, including Navarre Beach, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key and into Alabama, and when you stay four nights, you get the fifth night free. It’s that easy. Whether you prefer a Gulf Coast home or condo does not matter, just make a reservation for Christmas week in your preferred rental. Call Pointe South Vacation Rentals today to book!

Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens

IMG_2745If you own a home in Coastal Alabama, there is a truly beautiful place called Bellingrath Gardens that you will want to visit with the family this Christmas. While we recommend all botantical enthusiasts visit this Gulf Coast attraction, this garden is especially beautiful during the holidays!

Bellingrath Gardens is most famous for it’s incredible azalea displays and spring events in conjunction with them, but Christmas is a close second. The annual Christmas event showcased the 65 acre estate during the month of December with over 3 million lights and close to 1,000 lighted displays throughout the grounds.

Each evening enjoy coral performances that are sure to delight as you sip warm cocoa and cider while strolling through the festive scene. The kids can even have their picture taken with Santa while you pick up a few presents at the Gift Shop.

The lights will be on display from November 28 through Chrismas night. Indugle yourself in just the lights or take a grand tour of the homes, as well. Prices start at just $15 for adults and $7 for children. Kids under 4 are free to attend.