By Lee Ann Leonard
Panama City Beach’s unofficial downtown transforms for the holiday season, glowing with twinkling lights, illuminated photo ops, and the charm of Santa’s Beach House. The festive spirit extends beyond the center, where Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show adds its own magic: towering Christmas trees, a sparkling sleigh, and a giant glittering ornament and more. Together, these displays create a seamless holiday landscape—another reason to linger and stroll through the colorful outdoor mall this yuletide season.
The holiday highlight may be Santa’s arrival! The jolly one is available for photos daily from November 28 through Christmas Eve. Visitors can stop by his Pier Park home in the Town Center across from Dillard’s and should visit Pier Park’s website to secure their session.
Beachy Beach Real Estate and The Eye Gallery are proud sponsors of the annual tradition.
On Saturday, December 13, the Optimist Club of the Beaches’ Christmas Parade will travel through the center, spreading Christmas cheer and candy! The parade, which features festive floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands, and Santa, is slated to start at sunset.
The parade will travel from the Sharky’s parking lot and head west on Front Beach Road before turning into Pier Park. From Pier Park Drive, the parade will turn north at the roundabout and then travel east down Stingray Drive, ending behind Target.
Santa will return to his Pier Park home after the parade to help make magical memories. Back by popular demand, guests who book their Santa photos on parade day will receive a special gift with purchase: a 4” x 6” light-up Christmas picture frame valued at $30! Gift it or use it to display your favorite Santa photo.
Ready for a new holiday tradition? Pirates Voyage’s Christmas show and feast will get you in the spirit pirate-style! The show, which features Captain Blackbeard and his cavalier crew searching for a lost treasure of Christmas gifts, runs through January 3, 2026. Visit PiratesVoyage.com for details and tickets.
This holiday season, explore the merriest mall around, and visit Simon.com/Mall/Pier-Park for the latest holiday happenings.
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