Panama City, Florida

Panama City, FL
Events Page

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.