In addition to Panama City Beach having the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches, each year the city presents terrific annual events for you and your family and friends to enjoy. There are a variety of festivities to ensure there is something for everyone. We have compiled a list of the best events to keep you having fun in the sun all year. Come for your favorite event or attend them all.
JANUARY
Panama City Beach Mardi Gras & Music Festival
Enjoy an authentic Mardi Gras celebration just steps from the sugar-white sand and emerald waters at Pier Park. Catch beads at the parade while you watch the brightly colored floats pass by. There is entertainment for the whole family with a vendor village, a kid's fun zone, and plenty of live Krewe music to enjoy. Taste a delicious selection of Mardi Gras-inspired foods at this exciting festival. Each evening the fireworks spectaculars light up the sky and illuminate the gulf.
FEBRUARY
Panama City Beach Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival
This lively experience combines the best of flavors and fun to have your perfect picnic in the sun. Savor all your favorite gourmet foods and craft beer at Aaron Bessant Park. With over 30 food trucks to choose from, you are sure to find a dish you love and sample a variety of unique dishes. National, regional, and local craft beers are there to keep the fun on tap. Artists showcase their crafts for sale at vendor booths around the festival. Bring your friends, and family, to enjoy this fun in the sun. For tickets and information check out Visit Panama City Beach.
MARCH
Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Spring Show
Cruise down the Emerald Coast in style at this premier classic car and hot rod show. Aaron Bessant Park transforms into a giant outdoor showroom with hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, exotics, and muscle cars. This three-day event features iconic vehicles, live music, vendors, food, and everything you need to have a great time. Flame-throwing contests, meet and greets, celebrity performances, block parties, and cash and prize drawings are just some of the events included at Emerald Coast Cruizin’. Full information at the Emerald Coast Cruizin website.
APRIL
UNwineD Panama City Beach
Uncork your best self at this stylish garden party held at Aaron Bessant Park. Indulge in tasting a vast array of fine wines, craft beers, and spirits. Sample delectable dishes created by renowned local chefs. This exclusive event, presented by Publix and sponsored by Southern Living, showcases new and well-loved wine and spirits and has become one of the city’s most popular events. Celebrate the arrival of spring, as you stroll among art and boutique vendors or enjoy wine seminars and cooking demos. Proceeds of the ticket sales contribute to great causes like the Make a Wish Foundation, Animal Rescue, and Beachcare Services Charities. For tickets and information check out Visit Panama City Beach.
APRIL
Seabreeze Jazz Festival
Enjoy the ultimate weekend of smooth jazz held at Aaron Bessant Park. Seabreeze Jazz Festival was named a "Top 10 Jazz Festival in the USA '' by JazzIZ Magazine. The festival was recently nominated as Best Jazz Festival at the Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards. This four-day jazz sensation attracts visitors from all over the globe and includes an impressive lineup of award-winning jazz legends. Food vendors on site provide various food options including gluten-free, low-salt, healthy food options, local seafood, Italian, world-class BBQ, and more. Panhandle Getaways is a proud sponsor of this event. For tickets and information visit Seabreeze Jazz Festival.
MAY
Thunder Beach Spring Rally
The Best Time on Two Wheels! Panama City Beach comes alive when motorcycles roll into town from all across the country. Enjoy the ride among the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches at the most bike-friendly free rally in the United States. Twice a year, bikers congregate together to share their love of all things motorcycle. The rally showcases over 200 vendors and exhibitors, live music, poker runs, motorcycle stunt shows, bike shows, audio contests, and more. Several venues partner with the rally, offering fresh food on the gulf.
MAY
Florida Jeep Jam
Jeep Jam is a Jeep owner's dream vacation. This top-rated Jeep event brings in 2000 Jeeps and hundreds of Jeep clubs. Jeep Jam exhibits exciting activities where you can put your Jeep to the challenge in obstacle courses. Explore natural habitats in an off-road excursion that is a Jeep playground. Show off your Jeep in the Show and Shine event. Vendors will be presenting the best in Jeep accessories. Everyone enjoys cruising down the emerald coast in the Topless for Turtles Beach Krawl. Florida Jeep Jam website: https://www.floridajeepjam.com/
MAY
Ironman Florida
Run to the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches to compete in this athletic adventure. During Ironman anything is possible. The course includes a 2.4-mile gulf swim in crystal clear waters and biking through Pine Lake State Park. The fun run is a 26.2-mile course along the coast with scenic views. This exhilarating journey will boost your confidence racing to the finish line. After you finish the race at Pier Park, cool off and refuel with refreshing beverages and delicious food at their various restaurants. For registration visit Ironman Florida.
JUNE
Gulf Coast Jam
Jam all weekend with sun and fun at this country music festival held at Frank Brown Park. This 4-day concert brings award-winning headliners and plenty of entertainment. Each year Gulf Coast Jam presents the best in country music performances. Frank Brown Park is transformed into a music festival wonderland with food, beverages, games, and merchandise vendors. Dance the weekend away with top performers all in one place. For more information and tickets visit Gulf Coast Jam.
JULY
Independence Day Fireworks Displays
You will have a blast celebrating your July 4th weekend in Panama City Beach, Florida. The annual fireworks extravaganza is the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast. Enjoy three magical nights of fireworks from a variety of locations. Kick off your holiday weekend with Freedom Rocks, come early to shop and dine then view the fireworks display from participating restaurants. Continue the fun with Star Spangled Spectacular where fireworks will be fired along the beach from both piers, synchronized to Independence Day music. Light up The Gulf Fireworks Show presents a fireworks show with free entertainment, contests, and kids activities. Enjoy this elaborate fireworks show and make fun-filled memories this holiday weekend. Held at City and County Piers.
OCTOBER
Pirates of the High Sea & Renaissance Festival
This fun-filled adventure sets sail on Columbus Day weekend and is packed with waves of activities for the whole family. Action-packed events such as mermaid shows, treasure hunts, costume contests, pirate battles, and magic shows mesmerize you during the day at Pier Park and Aaron Bessant Park. The parade is a true highlight with boat floats all captained by extravagantly dressed pirates passing out candy and beads. The fun continues in the evening with a fire circus, live music, a pirate pub, and live entertainment. Be sure to stick around for the colorful fireworks display each night lighting up the sky.
OCTOBER
Thunder Beach Fall Rally
Panama City Beach comes alive when motorcycles roll into town from all across the country. Enjoy the ride among the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches at the most bike-friendly free rally in the United States. Twice a year, bikers congregate together to share their love of all things motorcycle. The rally showcases over 200 vendors and exhibitors, live music, poker runs, motorcycle stunt shows, bike shows, audio contests, and more. Several venues partner with the rally, offering fresh food on the gulf.
NOVEMBER
Emerald Coast Cruizin' Car Show
Emerald Coast Cruizin’ was designed and developed for the automotive enthusiast, so whether you drive a Classic, Hot Rod, Street Rod, Exotics, Muscle cars, this family friendly event has something for everyone! Held at Aaron Bessant Park, this event has plenty for the kids to do along with some of the best car watching on the coast.
NOVEMBER
Beach Home for the Holidays
This enchanting event brings the magic of the holidays to the Emerald Coast. Stroll through the festive lighting as an orchestra plays holiday music at Aaron Bessant Park on Thanksgiving Weekend. Enjoy the carol-themed concerts, ballet performances, vendors, a holiday movie, and activities for the children. Bring your holiday wish list to present to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Create a new family tradition by making smores with the family as you await the Christmas Tree Lighting and the nightly fireworks show.
DECEMBER
New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop
Ring in the New Year with not one but two beach ball drop celebrations at Pier Park! that also includes a street festival offering family-friendly shopping, dining, vendors, and activities. The first kid's beach ball drop is at 8 pm with a countdown of 10,000 inflatable beach balls cascading down over the crowd to float into the new year. PCB's ball drop was voted "Best in the Country" by USA Today.
As the beach balls bounce around the first round of fireworks will illuminate the sky. The celebration will continue with free live music and the midnight beach ball drop. Celebration tower lights up the sky with one of the largest beach balls in the country, standing higher than the ball drop in Times Shares. As the clock ticks down, join the countdown for the beach ball drop and the second round of fireworks. This is a New Year's Eve celebration not to be missed.
Plan your stay in Panama City Beach for some of these great annual events.
With so many fun festivities to partake in, why choose just one? Start planning your perfect getaway and enjoy the great variety of annual events in Panama City Beach. For all your vacation needs, Panhandle Getaways has the most vacation rentals in Panama City Beach, so if you're looking for a house with a view or a condo with plenty of amenities, we have exactly what you are looking for. Book your stay with Panhandle Getaways today.