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.
