PCB Life | Panama City Beach News, Events and Community Information

Category: Events

  • 2025 30A Songwriter’s Festival Initial Lineup Announced

    2025 30A Songwriter’s Festival Initial Lineup Announced

    30A Songwriters Festival will celebrate its 16th year with performances on the main stage at Grand Boulevard’s Town Center in Miramar Beach with headline performances by renowned artists Melissa Etheridge, Amos Lee, The Jayhawks, The Devon Allman Project, Maggie Rose and Secret Sisters.

    The festival welcomes for the first time to 30A: Charlie Starr & Benji Shanks (Blackberry Smoke), Natalie Hemby, Brandy Clark, Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes, Lindsay Lou (Band), Brett Dennan, The Stews, Langhorne Slim, Chris Knight, Josh Joplin Group, Willi Carlisle, Bee Taylor (Band), Jontavious Willis, Josh Rouse, Paul Mcdonald & The Mourning Doves, Tyler Ramsey, Andrea Von Kampen, Jill Sobule, Burris, Kyle Davis, Jada Cato, Beth Bombara, Mallory Johnson, Jessica Sharman, David Borné and Anna Grace.

    30A Songwriters Festival Headliners 2025Returning to perform two shows each throughout the weekend are songwriting legends Darrell Scott, Livingston Taylor, Will Kimbrough, Ellis Paul, Shawn Mullins, Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill, John Paul White, Tommy Prine, Ruthie Foster, Hayes Carll, Holly Williams, John Fullbright, Black Opry Revue, Lilly Hiatt, Susan Werner, Chuck Cannon, Jeff Black, Dan Bern, Griffin House, Charlie Mars, Randall Bramblett, Jeffrey Steele, Steve Poltz, Kelly Willis, Bob Schneider, Mary Gauthier, Certainly So, David Ryan Harris, Chris Stills, Emerson Hart, John Driskell Hopkins, Adam Hood, Abe Partridge, Chastity Brown, Cousin Curtis, Will Hoge, Ryanhood, with more to come.

    The following additional artists are also confirmed: Sarah Clanton, Jack Barksdale, Eliot Bronson, Mike Kinnebrew, Liz Longley, Grayson Capps, Cat Ridgeway, Lilly Winwood, Caitlin Cannon, Bradley Cole Smith & Nelson Nolan, Jennifer Lynn Simpson, Sara Hells, The Sand Ole Opry With Mike Whitty and many more.

    Many more artists will be announced over the next few weeks—Stay Tuned! Visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com to stay up to date and to purchase tickets.

    The 30A Songwriters Festival is presented by Grand Boulevard with additional support from Visit South Walton, the Florida Department of State Division of Arts & Culture, WaterColor Inn and Resort and ASCAP.

  • PCB Beach Home for the Holidays Nov. 29-30

    PCB Beach Home for the Holidays Nov. 29-30

    PCB Beach Home for Christmas

    Join us on Thanksgiving weekend in Panama City Beach as we set the stage for the most magical month of the year!

    Thanksgiving Thursday may be the time for turkey, but that weekend, Santa Claus is coming to town! Beach Home for the Holidays waves goodbye to fall and sets the stage for the most magical month of the year. Aaron Bessant Park serves as the site of carol-themed concerts, s’mores, Christmas tree lighting, an appearance by Santa, and activities for the kids.

    Schedule:

    Friday, November 29
    3 p.m.: Campfires, S’mores & Santa’s Village Open
    3:30 p.m.: Holiday Movie
    5:15 p.m.: The Nutcracker by The Panama City Ballet
    5:55 p.m.: The Lighting of the Christmas Tree
    6 p.m.: Headliner: Home Free
    7:30 p.m.: Fireworks

    Saturday, November 30
    3 p.m.: Campfires, S’mores & Santa’s Village Open
    4:15 p.m.: Holiday Movie
    6 p.m.: Panama City Symphony Orchestra

    Home Free Any Kind of Christmas Tour
    Experience the magic of the holidays with the all-vocal country group Home Free, as they bring an unforgettable evening of incredible harmonies, mixing Christmas classics with Nashville-dipped pop hits and timeless country standards on their “Any Kind of Christmas” tour. Having captivated audiences worldwide, Home Free has racked up nearly 600,000 album equivalents globally, embarked on major international tours, and amassed over 750 million views and 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube. Taste of Country hails them as “Country music fans’ favorite a cappella group.”

    Make Your New’ Year’s Plans:

    New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop Presented by Coca-Cola
    Panama City Beach may be best known for fun in the sun, but one of Northwest Florida’s most exciting annual events happens after dark: The New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop! Help us ring in 2025, Real. Fun. Beach. style.

    Come to Pier Park on December 31st to enjoy not one but two great opportunities to welcome in the New Year. The streets of Pier Park are closed off to traffic as thousands of revelers enjoy free live music, entertainment, fireworks, and good cheer.

    For those too excited to wait until midnight, or for those fans of New Year’s Eve who want to conduct the countdown twice, there are separate Beach Ball Drops at both 8 p.m. and midnight. Families with young children and adults looking to stay up until after the calendar page actually turns both have options about how best to celebrate the New Year with thousands of other revelers close to Panama City Beach’s pristine waterfront and many amenities.

    On the way to midnight, bands perform for the gathering crowd, anticipating the countdown to 2025 when a huge, glowing beach ball is lowered to signal the start of the New Year, and another great fireworks display. Time Square has nothing on this Panama City Beach NYE party!

  • GCSC Presents “Dad Jokes: Lessons from my Father” Oct. 18-Nov. 8

    GCSC Presents “Dad Jokes: Lessons from my Father” Oct. 18-Nov. 8

    Dad JokesThe Visual & Performing Arts Division of Gulf Coast State College presents Dad Jokes: Lessons from my Father by Tim Gagnon. The work in the exhibit celebrates the words of wisdom from fathers to sons. It is a fun-loving, yet heartfelt homage to all the dads, grandfathers, uncles, and mentors who have a hand in shaping the next generation. As Tim warmly says “In every stage of my life, there was a dad offering sage advice. Sometimes in jest, sometimes in stern warning, but always with my best interests at heart. Each time, it came from a legacy of wisdom spanning generations back into antiquity. Now it’s my turn to prepare the next generation.”

    Tim Gagnon is an award winning artist, author, speaker, and instructor. For nearly two decades, he has performed and exhibited in galleries, churches, conferences, schools, and stadiums across the country. His latest project is the Illuminated Messiah Bible, a collection of 66 original portraits of Jesus the Messiah. The Artwork is currently on a traveling art exhibit, and the Bible is published by Broadstreet Publishing. An Air Force Veteran, Tim proudly serves with the Patriot Art Foundation, teaching Veterans to share their stories through the arts. He serves on the board, teaches online classes for VA hospitals, and hosts the Patriot Arts Podcast.

    The exhibit runs from October 18 to November 8, with an opening reception on the evening of October 18, 5 – 7 p.m. Tim will present a gallery talk during the reception. The work will be on display in the Amelia Center Gallery (AC 112). Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free.

    For more information, please contact Pavel Amromin at pamromin@gulfcoast.edu, 850-872-3886.

  • Return of Fright Nights: Bay Arts Alliance Unveils Another Year of Terror In Downtown Panama City

    Return of Fright Nights: Bay Arts Alliance Unveils Another Year of Terror In Downtown Panama City

    Fright Nights 2023 Afterparty Bay Arts AlliancePrepare for another season of screams as Fright Nights: The GateKeepers, an immersive haunted experience, announces its third year. This highly anticipated event, presented by the Bay Arts Alliance and taking place at the iconic Panama City Center for the Arts in Historic Downtown Panama City, promises an intensified and spine-tingling encounter in the final appearance of the enigmatic Raven Queen.

    For the past four years, the Raven Queen, created by Jayson Kretzer and brought to life by Misty Joy, has played an important role in the haunted experiences at the Center for the Arts. The character and her giant spider minion, Iktomi, have captivated imaginations and woven a web of suspense for the community. In this closing chapter of Fright Nights, the Raven Queen forges an alliance with the citizens of Panama City, revealing her humanity as she seeks to protect the world she once terrorized.

    Fright Nights 2023 Center For The Arts“This year’s story takes guests on a journey through time and space in search of keys to lock up ancient evils,” said Jayson Kretzer, Executive Director of Bay Arts Alliance. “We are so excited to share this last part of our Raven Queen story and given what we learned last year, it’s going to be an even bigger and better experience this October.”

    Key Features of Fright Nights 2024:

    More Opportunities & Shorter Wait Times: The haunt will be open for seven days this year starting on Friday, October 17, and will be doing presale time slots only. This will help ensure that guests don’t have long wait times. Tickets go on sale October 1.

    Enhanced Immersion: Building on the success of previous years, Fright Nights will heighten the immersive experience with cutting-edge special effects, captivating soundscapes, and stunning visuals that will blur the lines between reality and nightmare.

    Daytime Tours: For those that aren’t looking to scream, guests can purchase daytime passes. This experience is perfect for those with a higher sensitivity to jump scares, flashing lights, and loud noises.

    Character Interactions: Guests will engage with a cast of skilled performers who bring the Raven Queen’s story to life as they unravel the truth behind her rise to power.

    Party on the Lawn: Each night of the haunt will feature a variety of local vendors, musicians, and fall-themed fun on the lawn right outside the Center for the Arts.

    “Seeing the Raven Queen’s story unfold over the past three years into this final chapter for her has been an amazing thing to be a part of,” said Jamie Haney, Marketing & Events Coordinator of Bay Arts Alliance. “And none of it would have been possible without our devoted Fright Nights team.”

    This experience is recommended for audiences aged 12 & up. Under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bay Arts Alliance suggests that parents take into account their children’s tolerance levels for jump scares, flashing lights, and loud noises.

    Those interested in joining the team or how to get tickets can learn more by visiting FrightNightsPanamaCity.com.

  • Shop Talk: Halloween is Better by the Beach

    Shop Talk: Halloween is Better by the Beach

    By Lee Ann Leonard

    Pier Park Halloween GirlThis October, discover why Halloween is better by the beach!

    Pier Park will again help locals and visitors in need by hosting its annual “Halloween Costume Drive.” The Pier Park team will collect new and gently-used costumes at the Mall Management Office at 600 Pier Park Drive, Suite 125, Panama City Beach, FL 32413.

    Halloween costume donors can drop off items any weekday from October 1 to 25 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. They can donate costumes for adults and children in all sizes. Starting October 28, guests can browse the donations to find their favorite scarewear while supplies last. The costume bank will be open during that same window.

    Pier Park Boo By The Beach 2023On Halloween, from 4 to 7 p.m., “boos and ghouls” can go store-to-store collecting treats in Pier Park’s open-air, family-friendly environment. During “Boo by the Beach,” they can also pose in front of the mall’s Halloween-themed backdrop plus interact with colorful characters and a stilt-walking balloon artist. This year, enjoy scary store entrances as Pier Park retailers compete to create the spookiest storefront.

    Driving up the fear factor is the center’s haunted attraction, Fear at The Pier! The 1,000-foot spooky maze dares explorers to escape animatronic monsters, mutants and maniacs.

    To learn more about this and other October events, visit the Pier Park website’s events page: https://bit.ly/3YPOP25 or call (850) 236-9962.

  • Fun Things to Do: Events Coming Up October 2024

    Fun Things to Do: Events Coming Up October 2024

    Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest
    October 11-13
    Calling all ye mateys, fair maidens and swashbucklers of all ages to Panama City Beach for the annual Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest. This year’s free celebration sets sail October 11-13. Enjoy action-packed weekend of fireworks, live mermaid shows, a fire circus, parades, a treasure drop, Cirque Adventure and more. Travel back in time with our Renaissance addition, where gentry and squires alike can experience an enchanted marketplace complete with sword and whip demonstrations, pirates pub, live entertainment & more!

    Go to visitpanamacitybeach.com/pirates-of-the-high-seas-fest for schedule and more information.

    Panama City Beach Oktoberfest
    October 18-20
    This October 18-20, 2024 at Aaron Bessant Park in Pier Park, PCB Oktoberfest is on for three days of German beer, food, music, as well as activities for kids and families.
    The event will feature a massive 150’x50’ tent decorated like the authentic Oktoberfest tent in Munich, Germany, as well as two outdoor beer gardens and a VIP section under the tent.
    Get ready for great German food! Pair your beer with brats, either famous or smoked, meterwurst, or hot dogs (with or without sauerkraut).

    Plus, nothing is better with your new and old favorite beer than giant pretzels with beer-infused cheese. Come out for good eats including other traditional Oktoberfest fare.

  • Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest Brings Swashbuckling Adventures to PCB October 11-13

    Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest Brings Swashbuckling Adventures to PCB October 11-13

    Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest Ellis And Ej BiggersCalling mateys, fair maidens and swashbucklers of all ages! The annual Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest sets sail in Panama City Beach on October 11-13, 2024. The three-day festival invites families to don their best pirate or renaissance garb and travel back in time with a free, three-day celebration featuring a bounty of pirate-themed fun and medieval merriment, with festivities including live entertainment, fireworks, parades, an enchanted marketplace, spectacular endeavors from Cirque Adventure, and more.

    “We are thrilled to welcome visitors, as well as our residents to this year’s Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest,” says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “With a spectacular lineup of pirate and medieval-themed entertainment for all ages, this annual event offers families a one-of-a-kind experience at the Real. Fun. Beach.

    Celebrating the pirates who once sailed the Gulf of Mexico and raided the Emerald Coast, this unique festival reveals the story of Dominique Youx and his krewe of loyal buccaneers who defended Panama City Beach from invaders seeking to seize the destination’s jewels in the early 1800s. The Renaissance portion of the festival transports attendees back in time, where gentry and squires alike can experience a weekend of revelry and adventure in Panama City Beach. This year, Visit Panama City Beach is thrilled to introduce the new Knights at the Beach Knight fighting tournament to the event lineup, adding an exciting and unique experience for all attendees.

    To see the full schedule of events please visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/pirates-of-the-high-seas.

  • Cocktails for a Cause Drawdown Event Benefiting Girls Inc. of Bay County

    Cocktails for a Cause Drawdown Event Benefiting Girls Inc. of Bay County

    Club 360 is excited to announce its upcoming special event, Cocktails for a Cause, a lively evening dedicated to supporting Girls Inc. of Bay County. The event will take place on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 6-10 p.m. at the Sapp House located at 224 E. 3rd Court, Panama City, Florida.

    This vibrant drawdown party promises an unforgettable night of sophisticated Sommelier-Curated pairing of Fine Wine and Chef Phillippe’s culinary creations, and exhilarating entertainment—all in the name of supporting a great cause. Attendees will have the chance to enjoy all the event has to offer, while also participating in the exciting ticket drawdown where one lucky winner will take home a grand prize of $10,000.00.

    Cocktails for a Cause is more than just an evening out; it’s an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of local girls. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Girls Inc. of Bay County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. provides valuable programs and resources aimed at empowering young women to achieve their full potential and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

    “We are thrilled to host this special event in partnership with Girls Inc. of Bay County,” said Claire Sherman, Event Chair at Club 360. “Our goal is to create a memorable experience for our guests while raising critical funds to support the incredible work that Girls Inc. of Bay County is doing in our community. We encourage everyone to come out, have fun, and contribute to a cause that truly makes a difference.”

    Tickets for Cocktails for a Cause are available at Tickets for Cocktails for a Cause Drawdown Party in Panama City from TicketLeap. All tickets include entry to the event, food and wine, and participation in the drawdown. Must be 21 years of age to participate and attend event.

    For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or to get involved, please contact Claire Sherman or Irene Field at club360bay@gmail.com or visit www.club360bay.org.

  • Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest Brings Swashbuckling Adventures to PCB October 11-13

    Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest Brings Swashbuckling Adventures to PCB October 11-13

    Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance FestCalling mateys, fair maidens and swashbucklers of all ages! The annual Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest sets sail in Panama City Beach on October 11-13, 2024. The three-day festival invites families to don their best pirate or renaissance garb and travel back in time with a free, three-day celebration featuring a bounty of pirate-themed fun and medieval merriment, with festivities including live entertainment, fireworks, parades, an enchanted marketplace, spectacular endeavors from Cirque Adventure, and more.

    Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest Ellis And Ej Biggers“We are thrilled to welcome visitors, as well as our residents to this year’s Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest,” says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “With a spectacular lineup of pirate and medieval-themed entertainment for all ages, this annual event offers families a one-of-a-kind experience at the Real. Fun. Beach.

    Celebrating the pirates who once sailed the Gulf of Mexico and raided the Emerald Coast, this unique festival reveals the story of Dominique Youx and his krewe of loyal buccaneers who defended Panama City Beach from invaders seeking to seize the destination’s jewels in the early 1800s. The Renaissance portion of the festival transports attendees back in time, where gentry and squires alike can experience a weekend of revelry and adventure in Panama City Beach. This year, Visit Panama City Beach is thrilled to introduce the new Knights at the Beach Knight fighting tournament to the event lineup, adding an exciting and unique experience for all attendees.

    To see the full schedule of events please visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/pirates-of-the-high-seas.

  • PCB Fall 2024 Annual Events on the Horizon

    PCB Fall 2024 Annual Events on the Horizon

    Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest

    October 11-13, 2024
    Pirates Fest Kids W SwordsCalling all ye mateys, fair maidens and swashbucklers of all ages to Panama City Beach for the annual Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest. This year’s free celebration sets sail October 11-13. Enjoy action-packed weekend of fireworks, live mermaid shows, a fire circus, parades, a treasure drop, Cirque Adventure and more. Travel back in time with our Renaissance addition, where gentry and squires alike can experience an enchanted marketplace complete with sword and whip demonstrations, pirates pub, live entertainment & more!

    Panama City Beach Oktoberfest

    October 18-20, 2024
    Beer Fest Beer And PretzelThis October 18-20, 2024 at Aaron Bessant Park in Pier Park, PCB Oktoberfest is on for three days of German beer, food, music, as well as activities for kids and families.
    The event will feature a massive 150’x50’ tent decorated like the authentic Oktoberfest tent in Munich, Germany, as well as two outdoor beer gardens and a VIP section under the tent.
    Get ready for great German food! Pair your beer with brats, either famous or smoked, meterwurst, or hot dogs (with or without sauerkraut). Plus, nothing is better with your new and old favorite beer than giant pretzels with beer-infused cheese. Come out for good eats including other traditional Oktoberfest fare.

    Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally

    Fall Rally: October 23-27, 2024
    Thunder Beach Bike At BeachKnown as the “Most Biker Friendly Free Rally in the United States,” Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is a biannual event that takes place in spring and fall in Panama City Beach.

    Twice a year, bikers, vendors, and exhibitors from around the country descend on the destination to share stories, listen to great bands, and experience exciting live entertainment. The free, four-day rally features over 200 vendors and exhibitors, a bike parade, beauty pageants, poker runs, live music, motorcycle stunt shows, tattoo contests, bike shows with category judging, and much more. Panama City Beach bike week happenings will take place at multiple venues throughout the area, welcoming over 60,000 biking enthusiasts to the beach twice a year. For the full event schedule, visit the Thunder Beach website.

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