Events

February

Gulf Coast Quilt Expo

Usually held in mid-February

Panama City

800-767-8618 Quilt makers from across the country exhibit prize-winning quilts in this annual educational Expo in Panama City Beach. Some of the top name teachers from around the country provide quilters with classes to enhance skills at all levels.

Late February

Spring Break

Held when colleges break for spring, usually late February – March

Special event are held throughout the area.

March

Panama City Scottish Festival and Highland Games

Grace Presbyterian Church 1415 Airport Rd Panama City, FL 32405-3531 850-769-4000

Call for additional information The Highland Games and Scottish Festival features bagpipe bands, pipe and drum bands, delicious Scottish food, highland athletics, Scottish dancers, clan tents, and historical exhibits. The highland games include such favorites as the caber toss (telephone pole toss), the hammer throw and the stone of strength (similar to the shot put).   April   Annual Zap Pro/Am Spring Skim Jam Spinnaker Beach Club 8795 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, Fl 32407 850-234-7892 Call for additional information Skimming is a relatively new sport that involves running along the shoreline, stepping onto and balancing on a very thin skim board across the ebbing surf at the beach. This event has skimmed into the record books; becoming what might be the nation's largest skim board competition featuring the best Pro & Amateur skim board talent in the world!  The three day event includes demonstrations, videos, kid’s games and treasure hunt, giveaways and of course, the competition!   Gulf Coast Horse Show and Festival

Parks and Recreation Department

850- 233-5045

Usually held the last weekend in April

Call for additional information

The Tennessee Walking Horse and its high-stepping running walk is the central feature of the Gulf Coast Horse Show and Festival. The festival includes live music, arts and crafts displays, tack and food.

May   Annual Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally Biker Village and Thunder Beach Welcome Center Shoppes at Edgewater 4412 Delwood Lane Panama City Beach, FL 850-235-6275 Usually held the last weekend in April Call for additional information Thunder Beach is Panama City Beach's own motorcycle rally, an annual celebration of the motorcycle and the fun-loving people who "ride to live, and live to ride."  The rally is actually  a series of events that take place at various venues on the beach and in Panama City... concerts, bike parades, poker runs, and bikini girls being just a few of the highlights.  

June

Annual Gulf Coast Triathlon

Downtown Panama City Beach

850-233-5070

Fee Charged

Call for additional information

The Gulf Coast Triathlon is a race comprised of a 1.2 mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 Mile Run.  The swim is in the Gulf of Mexico, where the water is generally around 73 degrees F in early May. The bike ride is through Panama City and Panama City Beach, and the surrounding countryside. The run is on a circular course through Panama City Beach, taking ample opportunity to skirt the stunning beachfront. The race is held in May, but it can get hot. Be sure and bring plenty of sunscreen, and be prepared for high heat and humidity. In addition, there is a sports exposition, group dinners, post-race party, and entertainment for fans and participants of all ages.

July

Annual Bay Point Billfish Invitational Tournament

Gulf of Mexico

Panama City Beach

Usually held mid-July

850-235-6911

Call for additional information

The Annual Bay Point Billfish Invitational Tournament has become one of the most prestigious tournaments of its kind in America. Deep-sea anglers converge on Panama City Beach hoping to land a record-setting billfish and win one of the large cash prizes. In past tournaments, some first place catches include a 57 pound dolphin, a 173.4 pound tuna and a 67.2 pound wahoo.  In addition to fishing, there is a “Miss Billfish” contest, live concerts and fireworks.

USFA World Series

Frank Brown Park 162000 Panama City Beach Pwky (Hwy 98) Panama City Beach, FL

Usually held in mid-July

850-234-2839

Call for additional information

The United States Fastball Pitch World Series attracts teams from all over the country.  The girls’ fast pitch teams compete over a two week period and both team and individual trophies are awarded for 1st through 4th place.

August

FishStock

Panama City Marina

850-769-2536

Usually held mid-August

Call for additional information

FishStock is a one-of-a-kind festival full of fishing, food and fun to celebrate the sport and lifestyle that anglers and their families enjoy so much.  This weekend event features onshore exhibits, saltwater fishing clinics and boat and tackle shows. The Youth Fishing Foundation offers an environmental presentation featuring a saltwater touch tank and a beginner's fishing course for inquisitive, youthful anglers. For teens, there is a casting competition. Some of the area’s best professional guides will offer seminars on saltwater fishing techniques.

September

Thunder Beach Autumn Rally

The Shoppes at Edgewater

4412 Delwood Lane

Panama City Beach, FL

Usually held late September

888-396-1638

This 4 day event for motorcycle riders features two Poker Runs, a bike show, a bike parade and bike exhibits, as well as daily and nightly contests, bike games and Thunder Girls. Free live entertainment by both national and regional acts play everything from rock 'n roll to the blues!

October

Nature's Gallery Fall Arts Show

St. Andrews State Park

4607 State Park Lane Panama City, FL 32408-7323 800-326-3521

Usually held late October

Call for additional information

Art, history, and nature are all included in the annual Nature's Gallery. It's a collaboration of environmentalists, artists, and historical re-enactors, and together they provide guests with a truly unique experience. There are tents with homemade wares from all over the southeast and local thespians act out daily life from years ago. The showcase of the weekend event is the beautiful, Florida wildlife. Also features is a Civil War encampment re-creates life in Florida during the 1860's, a Native American exhibit explains the ways of life of the native inhabitants of the region, and the Big Bend Wildlife Center and Zoo World offer a variety of animals that visitors can approach, and in some cases, handle.

Annual Black Cat Affair

Usually held in mid-October

Location: Panama City

850-234-8963 The annual Black Cat Affair raises money to help homeless animals. ASRAL (Animal Sterilization Rabies Assistance League) holds this fun filled affair and silent auction.

November

Janus Ironman Triathlon

Boardwalk Beach Resort

9540 South Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, Florida 32408

850-235-2608

Usually held in early November

Call for additional information

Hundreds of the world's fittest people will be on the beach to compete in this grueling endurance test. It starts with a 2.4 mile swim (which competitors have 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete), is followed by an incredible 112 mile- 8 hour bike route, and finishes with a full 26.2 mile marathon...7 hours are allotted for this challenging run!

December

Annual Boat Parade of Lights

St. Andrews Marina to Panama City Marina

850-785-2554

Usually held mid-December

Call for additional information

The boaters of Panama City and Panama City Beach go to extraordinary lengths, decorating their boats with festive lights for the holiday season. The boats cruise from Historic St. Andrews Marina on Beck Avenue along St. Andrews Bay, past the stately homes lining Beach Drive, and into the City Marina at the foot of Harrison Avenue. The Christmas fleet then proceeds past thousands of spectators lining the Marina in downtown, and slowly the boats disperse. In years past, boats and ships from the Naval Coastal Systems Station base on the Beach have taken part,

The Bay Art Show

Usually held in early December Location: Panama City

850-769-4451 This annual exhibit showcases art submitted by local artists in the 16 counties of NW Florida. Art of all mediums (except photography) is displayed throughout the Visual Arts Center.

Arts and Entertainment

Martin Theater

409 Harrison Ave.

Panama City, FL 32405

850-763-8080

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged

Originally built in 1936, the Martin Theatre first opened its door as the "Ritz".  Early memories boast visits by such notables as Clark Gable, Constance Bennett, Michael O'Shea, William Boyd, and cowboy great Bill Elliot.

The Orchestra of St. Andrews Bay

5230 West U.S. Highway 1

Panama City, FL 32401

850-769-1551

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged

Four times a year the Orchestra performs concerts for the public at Gulf Coast Community College's Amelia G. Tapper Center for the Arts. Of these concerts, one is a children's concert.