Panama City Beach Bids Good Tidings With Unique Holiday Events
Celebrate the season with a bounce and a bang at the Pier Park New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop in Panama City Beach, Fla. This first annual event rings in the New Year with larger-than-life festivities, including a spectacular fireworks display, amidst dazzling beaches and holiday lights.
It's just one of the singular treats that promise to transform this destination known for its snow-white sand beaches and glistening emerald green waters into a winter wonderland by the sea. With shopping extravaganzas, boat parade of lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, Great Russian Nutcracker ballet and traditional tree lighting ceremony, Panama City Beach presents a kaleidoscope of holiday delights.
Panama City Beach, Fla. (PRWEB) November 4, 2008 -- Celebrate the season with a bounce and a bang at the Pier Park New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop in Panama City Beach, Fla. This first annual event rings in the New Year with larger-than-life festivities, including a spectacular fireworks display, amidst dazzling beaches and holiday lights.
St. Andrews Bay sets the stage for a magical celebration at sea during the 22nd Annual Boat Parade of Lights in Panama City Beach, Fla.
It's just one of the singular treats that promise to transform this destination known for its snow-white sand beaches and glistening emerald green waters into a winter wonderland by the sea. With shopping extravaganzas, boat parade of lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, Great Russian Nutcracker ballet and traditional tree lighting ceremony, Panama City Beach presents a kaleidoscope of holiday delights. Making sure no family member is left out of the merriment, pets can also enjoy a visit with Santa to have their photo taken. For beach lovers dreaming of a white-sand Christmas, here's the lineup.
Holly Fair - Fri. - Sun., Nov. 7 - 9
Location: Boardwalk Beach Resort & Conference Center, 9450 Thomas Dr.
The season kicks off with the 20th annual Holly Fair. This four-day, shopping extravaganza showcases unique gifts from more than 75 merchants across the country. Voted "Best of the Bay," the event offers something for every member of the family, from Christmas carols and decorations to incredible edibles and handcrafted gifts. As the Junior Service League's signature fundraiser, Holly Fair draws 13,000 visitors annually. For more information, visit http://www.jslpanamacity.org or call 850-785-7870.
Pier Park Holiday Display - Nov. 7 - early Jan.
Location: Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Dr.
For more shopping, Pier Park shines with stores, eateries and thousands of ornaments and lights. Spanning nearly 1 million square feet, Pier Park is Northwest Florida's largest shopping, dining and entertainment venue, housing local boutiques and popular national chains. Find the perfect gift and savor the food, music, warmth and cheer, while strolling through shops adorned with red ribbons, wreaths and festive décor. Families can enjoy special holiday activities like the first annual Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held Nov. 28, and children can visit Santa's house to meet Mr. Claus himself, Nov. 15 - Dec. 24. Ensuring the whole family is included in the festivities, pets will have the chance to meet and take a picture with Santa too, available only on Dec. 6 and 13. For more information, visit http://www.simon.com or call 850-236-9979.
2008 Panama City Christmas Parade - Sat. Dec. 6th
Location: Downtown Panama City
Historic downtown Panama City welcomes the holiday season with a parade of more than 130 festive floats, marching bands, car and motorcycle clubs, equestrian groups and live musical ensembles provide an annual holiday spectacular not to be missed. For more information, go to http://www.pcjaycees.org or call 850-763-8282.
Plus, every Friday evening, Nov. 28 through Dec. 19th, the merchants of Panama City get into the spirit of the season with Home for the Holidays, turning downtown into a winter wonderland. Swoon over sweet scents of gingerbread cookies and hot cocoa, while shopping and strolling down streets lined with wreaths, mistletoes and lights. This classic holiday celebration features horse-drawn carriage rides including guided narration from the Historic Preservation Society sleigh bells, carolers and guest appearances by Santa and Mrs Claus. For more information call 850-785-2554.
Panama City Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony - Mon., Dec 1
Location: Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy.
Take part in one of Panama City Beach's historic and time-honored holiday traditions. Join Mayor Gayle Oberst as she officially rings in the season with a switch of the lights to the Grand Christmas Tree, resplendent with ornaments and lights. Families can also enjoy carols by local school children, while feasting on Christmas cookies, cocoa and other treats provided by local church groups and community clubs. For more information, go to visitpanamacitybeach.com or call 850-233-5045.
22nd Annual Boat Parade of Lights - Sat., Dec. 13
Location: St. Andrews Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd.
For more than two decades, this Florida festival of lights has spotlighted boats of all sizes dressed in their holiday best. The Boat Parade of Lights sets sail, 5:30 p.m., from St. Andrews Yacht Club to cruise past historic Panama City Marina, where judges and thousands of spectators gather to catch a glimpse of the magnificent light displays at sea. The parade concludes at St Andrews Marina. For more information, go to http://www.historicstandrews.com or call 850-872-7208.
Christmas at the Beach Parade - Sat., Dec. 13
Location: Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Dr.
Enjoy Panama City Beach's annual holiday parade along the beach. Festive floats mixed with holiday music performed by local bands are just part of the show. Presented by the Optimist Club, this parade will travel through Pier Park. Floats, bands, dance teams, community organizations and of course Santa will help ring in the holiday season. For more information visit visitpanamacitybeach.com or call 850-234-0854.
Great Russian Nutcracker - Sat., Dec. 27
Location: Marina Civic Center, Panama City
The Moscow Ballet brings its signature production - the Great Russian Nutcracker - to Panama City Beach. With its enchanting sets and lavish costumes, the Great Russian Nutcracker is a visual delight. Imaginative storytelling and the incredible grace of Russian classical ballet add to the magic. For more information visit http://www.marinaciviccenter.com or call 850-763-4696.
New Year's Eve Beach Ball Bash - Wed., Dec. 31
Location: Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Dr.
The Beach Ball Drop is the first of what promises to become an annual tradition at Pier Park, Northwest Florida's largest shopping, dining and entertainment venue. Festivities begin with activities for the entire family, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., including music, food and a spectacular fireworks display. The New Year's Countdown begins at 9:00 p.m. - till the New Year! For more information, go to visitpanamacitybeach.com or call 850-233-5070.
About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest Florida community is home to St. Andrew's State Park, a Top Two beach on the 2008 TripAdvisor list of America's best beaches. Panama City Beach also enjoys recognition as a premier beach destination by Condé Nast Traveler, The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, award-winning dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside community. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-6503) or check out the official Web site of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, visitpanamacitybeach.com.
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