December in Bay County sparkles with holiday magic, community traditions, and family-friendly fun. From dazzling boat parades and Christmas markets to festive breakfasts with Santa, the month is filled with cheerful ways to celebrate the season. Enjoy light displays, holiday performances, charity rides, pub crawls, parades, and community gatherings that bring everyone together. Whether you’re sipping bubbly, watching fireworks over the harbor, shopping local, or kicking off the season with Santa himself, December offers endless ways to experience the warmth, joy, and coastal charm of Bay County!
FEATURED EVENTS
PCB Marathon | Half Marathon | 5K
December 6th, 2025
Pier Park | Panama City Beach
Run through paradise with the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K, or Kid’s Fun Run, an annual race that brings thousands of locals and visitors to Panama City Beach. Presented by Visit Panama City Beach and hosted by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, this signature event takes runners along award-winning shorelines and offers an unforgettable coastal race experience. Participants who achieve a Boston-qualifying time based on age and gender can use it to register for the 2027 Boston Marathon. After crossing the finish line, celebrate with free beer and gumbo at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville after-party—because every great race deserves an epic coastal finish!
2025 City of Panama City Christmas Parade
December 6th, 2025
Historic Downtown | Panama City
Celebrate the holiday season at the annual Christmas Parade in Panama City! This festive event features a joyful procession beginning at the Downtown Marina, winding down Harrison Avenue, and concluding at Tommy Oliver Stadium. With the theme “Under the Christmas Tree,” the parade brings the community together for music, floats, and holiday cheer, creating a magical evening for families and spectators of all ages.
Christmas Scottish High Tea 2025
December 7th, 2025
17680 Ashley Drive | Panama City Beach
Celebrate the holiday season with a festive Scottish Christmas High Tea filled with Celtic music, joyful entertainment, and traditional Scottish flavors. Enjoy a delicious spread of finger sandwiches, scones, shortbread, empire biscuits, and plenty of hot tea, with limited gluten-free options available. This cherished 19th-century tradition, originally enjoyed around the family’s high dining table after a long workday, continues today as a way to bring people together in warmth and community. Gather with friends and family for an afternoon of holiday cheer and a touch of Scotland’s finest traditions!
39th Annual Boat Parade of Lights
December 13th, 2025
Panama City Marina | Panama City
The holiday season is setting sail in Panama City as Destination Panama City and the City of Panama City bring back the beloved Boat Parade of Lights. Dozens of boats will drift across St. Andrews Bay in a glowing procession of lights and festive décor, creating a magical waterfront display for spectators along the marinas, shoreline, and historic districts. Whether you’re joining the parade or watching from your favorite waterfront spot, it’s a night filled with coastal charm, community spirit, and holiday cheer. A festive Holiday Village at the Panama City Marina adds even more fun with seasonal vendors, music, and a visit from Santa!
New Year’s Softball Fest
December 27th- Jan 1st, 2025-2026
Frank Brown Park | Panama City Beach
Celebrate the end of the year with SoftballFest at Frank Brown Park, where teams from 10U through 18U can compete in a five-game guarantee tournament packed with excitement and camaraderie. Beyond the field, families can ring in the New Year at Pier Park’s annual Beach Ball Drop Party, combining championship softball with festive fun for all ages in a world-class beachside destination!
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
December 31st, 2025
Pier Park | Panama City Beach
Ring in 2026, Real. Fun. Beach. style with Panama City Beach’s iconic New Year’s Eve celebration at Pier Park. The streets transform into a lively, pedestrian-only party filled with free live music, family-friendly entertainment, festive energy, and two sparkling Beach Ball Drops—one early for those who want to celebrate before bedtime and another at midnight for the full countdown experience. Thousands gather to enjoy fireworks, great vibes, and the unforgettable moment a glowing beach ball descends to welcome the new year. With the Gulf just steps away and all the excitement of Pier Park as your backdrop, there’s truly no better place to celebrate the start of 2026!