Carnival of the Animals to Life for Foo Foo Fest 2026
Original choreography, imaginative puppetry, and a collaboration with the Pensacola Humane Society create a vibrant family experience where the animal kingdom takes center stage
PENSACOLA, Fla. — This November, the animal kingdom takes center stage as Ballet Pensacola presents Carnival of the Animals, an original family production created especially for Foo Foo Fest 2026.
Presented November 1–3, Carnival of the Animals reflects the adventurous spirit of Foo Foo Fest by bringing together dance, music, visual storytelling, puppetry, and community engagement in an experience created for audiences across generations.
“Where ballet meets the animal kingdom, Carnival of the Animals invites audiences into a world of imagination, music, and discovery. Created especially for Foo Foo Fest, Ballet Pensacola’s family-friendly production brings Saint-Saëns’ beloved musical menagerie to life through original choreography and imaginative puppetry, as dancers transform into a vibrant cast of animals. In partnership with the Pensacola Humane Society, the celebration moves beyond the stage, connecting the animals imagined through art with those in our community awaiting homes of their own. For visitors and locals alike, it is a joyful, unexpected, and immersive experience for every generation.”
WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMMUNITY
The experience continues beyond the stage through a special collaboration with the Pensacola Humane Society, connecting the production’s celebration of the animal world with animals in the Pensacola community seeking homes of their own.
Following select performances, audiences will have an opportunity to meet adoptable animals and learn more about adoption and fostering through the Pensacola Humane Society. The partnership gives families an additional way to engage with the themes of the production while bringing together two local nonprofit organizations around a shared community experience.
The collaboration embodies the larger purpose of Foo Foo Fest: creating unexpected connections among Pensacola’s arts, cultural, and community organizations while offering residents and visitors distinctive experiences throughout the city.
BALLET FOR EVERY GENERATION
With its recognizable score, playful characters, visual storytelling, puppetry, and immersive format, Carnival of the Animals has been conceived as an introduction to the magic of live dance for young audiences and an imaginative new experience for established ballet patrons.
As part of that commitment to accessibility, Ballet Pensacola will offer a special Community Access Performance on Monday, November 2 at 1:00 p.m., with $15 admission for homeschool students and educators and seniors.
The special performance creates an affordable daytime opportunity for homeschool families and older members of the community to experience professional dance, music, puppetry, and storytelling as part of Foo Foo Fest.
Throughout the run, general admission is $20, with $10 tickets available for children ages five and under.
As Ballet Pensacola moves through its 48th season and toward its milestone 50th anniversary, Carnival of the Animals also reflects the organization’s continued commitment to broadening the ways audiences encounter dance by pairing the discipline and artistry of ballet with innovative programming, community partnerships, and experiences that welcome new generations into the theater.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Ballet Pensacola presents Carnival of the Animals
Presented as part of Foo Foo Fest 2026
In collaboration with the Pensacola Humane Society
Sunday, November 1, 2026
11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
Monday, November 2, 2026
1:00 p.m. | Community Access Performance
$15 admission for homeschool students, educators and seniors
5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
5:30 p.m.
TICKET PRICING
General Admission: $20
Children ages 5 and under: $10
Community Access Performance | Monday, November 2 at 1:00 p.m.: $15 for homeschool students, educators, and seniors
Venue: The Clark Family Cultural Center | The Courtroom, First Floor | 400 S Jefferson St. Pensacola, FL 32502 |
Tickets: balletpensacola.org/performances
ABOUT FOO FOO FEST
Foo Foo Fest is Pensacola’s annual celebration of arts, culture, and entertainment, bringing together organizations and audiences through a diverse collection of creative experiences presented throughout the community. Ballet Pensacola’s Carnival of the Animals was created especially for the festival as an accessible, family-centered celebration of dance, music, imagination, and community.
ABOUT THE PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY
The Pensacola Humane Society serves animals and families throughout the Pensacola community through adoption, fostering, animal welfare initiatives, and community engagement. Its collaboration with Ballet Pensacola for Carnival of the Animals brings the production’s celebration of animals beyond the stage while introducing audiences to opportunities to support animals in need.