Celebrate the Holidays on the Beach
From the Annual Bethlehem Christmas Village to the New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop, here is a list of holiday-themed events in Panama City Beach and the surrounding areas to help you get into the spirit of the season!
Featured Holiday Events and Activities
Jingle Bell Express Trolley Ride
Downtown Panama City | St. Andrews
First 3 weekends in December 2022, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
The Jingle Bell Express trolley ride connects riders from Historic Downtown Panama City to St. Andrews to view the Christmas lights throughout the neighborhoods. Each Friday and Saturday evening for the first three weekends in December, a trolley will run from 5 to 8 p.m. each night, with pick-up and drop-off points in both locations.
There will be three boarding locations: the Center of the Arts, the Taproom and Little Village in St. Andrews.
The Panama City A Capella Chorus will sing Christmas carols during the ride.
Christmas in St. Andrews
Oaks by the Bay Park | Panama City
Get ready to be transported into a Winter Wonderland in St. Andrews when you arrive at Oaks by the Bay Park this December. One of the best light displays in Panama City, Light up the Park at Oaks by the Bay is a Christmas light experience that your family can walk through and learn about the history of this neighborhood.
Annual Bethlehem Christmas Village
Captain Anderson’s Marina | Panama City Beach
December 7th-10th 2022, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
From December 7th through 10th, experience the magic of Ancient Bethlehem at Captain Anderson’s Marina while local schools and churches perform the real Christmas story through music, live nativity, and storytelling. Free and open to the public, this event benefits a different charity each night from a toy & food drive. Gift and Food vendors will also be on-site.
Beach Optimist 2022 Christmas Parade
Surfside Middle School | Panama City Beach
December 10th, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Whether you join in the fun or watch from the sidelines, the Beach Optimist 2022 Christmas Parade promises a festive evening celebrating the holiday season! Beginning at 5 pm, the parade starts at Surfside Middle School and then proceeds through Panama City Beach ending at Target in Pier Park. Parade participants range from high school marching bands to the Panama City Beach Fire Department!
Holiday by the Bay
Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center | Panama City
December 10th, 2022, 7:30-9:30 p.m.Guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit, Holiday by the Bay is the Panama City Symphony’s favorite musical holiday tradition! Conductor Sergey Bogza leads the orchestra in a delightful display of the heartwarming sounds of the season. From classic holiday favorites to joyous Christmas carols, there’s something for the entire family including a rendition featuring the sounds of a Caribbean sleigh ride!
Luminary and Wesley House Christmas Tour
Eden Gardens State Park | Santa Rosa Beach
Saturday, December 10th, 2022, 5:00-8.00 p.m.
Eden Gardens will once again illuminate the park for an evening that has become a local holiday tradition.
Experience the magic of Eden Gardens at nightfall when more than 2,000 luminaries will be placed along the garden paths of the park. The Historic Wesley House will be decorated for Christmas and visitors can see all the rooms decorated by local organizations from throughout the community.
Live music and carolers will be on the grounds throughout the evening, as well as cookies and hot beverages provided at the pavilion area by the Friends of Eden.
Admission is free for this annual event.
Christmas Caroling and Candy Land Festival
Papa Joe's Bayside | Panama City Beach
December 13th, 2022, 5:45 p.m.
Head over to Papa Joe's Bayside for "A Night of Old-Fashioned Christmas Caroling," a fun family event presented by Bay District Schools and led by Will Thompson Music and the choirs from local schools. There will be all sorts of free holiday activities for children, along with food trucks, Christmas crafts, hot cocoa and much more!
Santa Claus Jingle Bell Run/Walk
Oaks by the Bay Park | Panama City
December 17th, 2022, 8.30. a.m.
Find your most festive holiday garb and join in the fun at the non-competitive Santa Claus Jingle Bell Run/Walk beginning at 8:30 am at the Oaks by the Bay! Open to anyone who wants to participate, this fun-filled race will travel approximately 1.5 miles before turning back to the park. From reindeer to ugly Christmas sweaters, anything fun is encouraged to promote the holiday spirit!
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
Pier Park | Panama City Beach
December 31st, 2022, 8:00 p.m.
Send off 2022 at one of the area’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations! Gather on the streets of Pier Park for free live music, entertainment, fireworks, and good cheer. There are two separate beach ball drops and fireworks displays at 8:00 pm and midnight so that all ages can enjoy the big finale. On the way to midnight, bands perform for the gathering crowd, anticipating the countdown to 2022!
