Panama City Beach Attractions and Events

The best thing about Panama City Beach is it has so much to offer not just beach people but all sorts of people from all walks of life. There are Lots of Panama City Beach Attractions and events almost every weekend, especially during holidays. Everyone is sure to find something worth getting excited about!

Local Signature Events

January

One thing is for sure Panama City Beach knows how to start the year off with a bang! The New Years Beach Ball drop is a favorite Panama City Beach attraction for locals all across the panhandle.  Hundreds of thousands of people every year attend and it is a MUST see at least once in your life. They host a smaller family friendly event at 8pm with a DJ and a small firework show where they release ten thousand beach balls into the crowd for the little ones that can't make it up until midnight.  After that, the big events start up which includes live music and performers all the way until the countdown to midnight. They end it with a bang as the big giant beach ball descends down and fireworks sound off and light up the sky! 

February 

If you have ever visited the south in February you know this month is all about Mardi Gras! Panama City Beach host Mardi Gras at the beach which is a two-day long fun filled event with lots of festivities including multiple parades that run through pier park, both children's and adult costume contest, live music, and kid-friendly as well as adult only activities. Both days culminate in a rousing firework display over the city pier and beautiful waters of the Gulf Of Mexico.

March

With the month of march comes the infamous Spring Break. This Panama City Beach Attraction has been a right of passage for college students for quite some time. Traditionally it had consisted of Lots of concerts, parties, and contest and yes it has gotten kind of wild. Recently ,however, lots of changes have been made to the laws during the duration surrounding spring break making it a MUCH more family friendly destination. So don't be afraid to pack up the kiddos and give them a spring break to remember on our beautiful white sandy beaches! 

April

In April spring has officially sprung and there are lots going on in Panama City Beach! The newest annual Panama City Beach Attraction to add to the list is Panama City Beach's Spring Jam. It's a 3-day country concert series featuring some of the BEST country music artists Nashville and more has to offer.  With close to 20 artists featured if you love country music you won't want to miss this! As an added bonus you get a beach vacation while you are here. A double win!!!

The third week of April features the Sea breeze Jazz Festival. At this Panama City Beach attraction, you will get to experience some of the nations top Jazz musicians. The festival offers smooth music in our beautiful Aaron Beasant Park which is right next to Pier Park making shopping and other activities a convenient walk away.

April goes out with a roar as the last week of the month ushers in the Thunder Beach Spring Rally. It boasts 8 official venues that offer a variety of vendors and entertainment including old school bike shows, live music, and contest.  Bikers converge here from all over the united states for this huge event. Almost everything this Panama City Beach attraction has to offer is located along the 10-mile corridor starting at the Sand Piper Beacon and ending at Ms. Newbys Too at the east end of Thomas drive near the big curve.

May

Towards the end of May, Panama City Beach presents the Annual Women's Work-Life Symposium which features powerful speakers from all over the nation that speak on a multitude of topics that help and empower today's working women. If you are a career-minded woman looking for inspiration and practical advice this is where you will want to be!

June

This month kicks off the Pier Park Concert Series. It's a free event held every Thursday from mid-June through mid-august all summer long. It's the perfect way to spend a languid summer evening laying in the grass listening to great music while the salty gulf breeze cools your suntanned skin. So bring a lawn chair or a quilt because this is a real treat! Did I mention this Panama City Beach attraction is free?

July

They say everything is better at the beach. Well, that couldn't be truer when it comes to fireworks and the fourth of July! This Panama City Beach Attraction is as American as it gets so grab some BBQ then head over to pier park to watch the Panama City Beach Independence Day Celebration and thousands of pounds of fireworks lighting up the sky. The Fireworks reflected in the waters of the gulf of Mexico is breathtaking.  The ocean lapping at your feet with your toes in the sand while breathing in the salty sea air only heighten the experience. This is as perfect of a summer night as you can get. It's unforgettable!

September

If you love country music then Panama City Beach is the place to be labor day weekend!  The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is a three-day major music event and one of the biggest music festivals in the southeast. It brings people in from all over the nation who want great music and a fun beach vacation all rolled into one unforgettable experience! Tickets go on sale mid march so you will want to snag your tickets early then plan your vacation around the event of the summer!

October

It's Columbus day weekend and Panama city beach is being invaded by pirates! Join the fun at Pirates Of The High Seas Fest a premier Panama City Beach Attraction! Be prepared for sword fighting, a scavenger hunt, parade, fireworks, and an actual live action high seas battle!

The festival is thrown every year at Pier Park and the city pier in remembrance of the areas legend of pirates and the lucrative relationship Panama City Beach had with them.  Legend says a battle happened here when rival pirates attacked the city trying to take the city's treasure that their pirate friends had so generously shared. Thankfully we won but every year the event is recreated to the delight of everyone who loves a good pirate legend.

The festival concludes with a rousing block party and live music. It's a great time so come on out. Costumes are highly recommended but not mandatory.

Good news! If you had a great time at thunder beach in the spring then you can come back and experience it all over again at the thunder beach Autumn rally. This Panama City Beach attraction is such a good time they hold the event twice! The Autumn rally tends to be a bit bigger which gives you even more bang for your buck. Bring your bikes down and let's make some noise and show everyone why it's called thunder beach!

Panama City Beach Attractions During The Holidays

November

The Iron Man triathlon which takes place the first week of November is an incredible test of endurance and athleticism for any athlete. Competitors compete in a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and finishes with an impressive 26.2-mile marathon! If you are not planning on competing, don't worry this is a very spectator friendly event. Locals and visitors alike set up their lawn chairs and cheer on the athletes as they race towards the finish line!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to enjoy the beach. The holiday festivities are just kicking off and there are tons of things to do. You can either cook a traditional meal in your hotel or condo. Some hotels even provide the feast for you. If you don't feel like several restaurants offer wonderful meals on thanksgiving including Margaritaville in Pier Park. The best part is no clean up which is a win in our book!

November 29th is the annual winter fest held in downtown Panama City marina. There are lots of food and arts and craft vendors and a chili cook-off. If you love college football you can pull up a lawn chair and watch the game on a giant inflatable screen.

December

There is nothing more magical than celebrating the holidays at the beach. From thanksgiving on there is a nonstop plethora of holiday events that will really bring out the Christmas spirit in anyone. We might not have snow but we have sand as white as snow and it makes a great substitute if you don't mind us saying so! December 2nd through the 5th is the annual festival of trees which are decorated and donated by volunteers and civic groups from all over. At the end, the trees are auctioned off to benefit the Bethel Village. It's a great way to start off the holiday month and support a great cause. 

The first 3 Fridays in December is A dickens of a Christmas. The festivities include carolers, carriage rides, live music throughout the streets and ice skating! Seriously who wouldn't love ice skating in Florida? That's one worth posting about on Facebook! 

December 13th is the Annual Boat Parade of Lights. Local and visitors both look forward to this every year and its a personal favorite of mine. Over 50 boats decorated with lights and holiday music. The boats parade across the bay from the Panama City Marina to the St Andrews Marina. It's a beautiful site when the lights reflect across the waters. Christmas spirit is always high at this event and it's sure to put you in the holiday mood!

Florida Gulf Coast > Panama City Beach Attractions