Weekend Events – Unique Christmas Shopping, Festival of Trees, Books, Arts, Parades and more!

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Looks like Panama City Beach is a fantastic place to kick off your holiday season! We’ve got a lot of unique gift shopping opportunities this weekend, a chance to run off some of that dressing from last week, “A Christmas Carol” as well as the inaugural Grand Lagoon Boat Parade! You don’t want to miss this – get all of your Christmas shopping done, relax, AND have a blast- all at the same time!

Lighting of the Christmas Tree, Downtown Panama City

Friday night in historic downtown Panama City, fire up that holiday spirit with our traditional Lighting of Christmas Tree, in front of the Marina Civic Center at 5 pm.  The night’s events include the popular horse drawn carriage rides, carolers and extended shopping hours at downtown shops.

Festival of Trees

Friday at 5, see the Festival of Trees, benefiting the Panama City Rescue Mission. this year 93 groups and businesses will set up Christmas trees and displays in the Marina Civic Center. There will be a Gingerbread house display, entertainment,  Santa’s Bistro, and the Children’s Secret Shop, where the ones can shop for presents for their friends and family. They’ll even wrap the presents for them. Parents…no peeking! Free kids crafts and activities, and pictures with Santa.  Admission, benefiting the PC Rescue Mission, is $5 for adults and kids,  $3 (Families $15, includes one family photo with Santa.) Tickets available at the door.

Kaleidoscope Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol”

What says Christmas like Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”?  There’ll even be holiday caroling!
Friday night and Saturday night you can catch the show beginning at 7:30 pm, and Sunday afternoon at 2:00. Adults, $16, Mil/Sen: $15, Students: $8  You never regret getting out to Kaleidoscope Theatre,  at 207 E. 24th Street, Lynn Haven. ktonline.org or 850-265-3226

Historic McKenzie House Last Minute Christmas Gifts from the Bay County Historical Society

Take this opportunity to visit the historic McKenzie House in the Park in downtown Panama City. Saturday morning see the restored Florida cottage home  of Panama City’s first mayor. Visit with historians and authors, shop for local cookbooks, DVDs highlighting the area, notecards, jewelry and more. Saturday from  10:00 to 2:00, at the McKenzie House on 17 E. 3rd Court in Panama City.  Also on Saturday morning, you can have Breakfast with Santa at Zachary’s American Bistro, a couple of blocks over on Grace Avenue – Look for the Santa house! There will be all day Christmas festivities on Harrison Avenue,  followed by the huge nighttime Panama City Christmas parade at 5pm.

Run for the Redfish Saturday

Run for the Redfish at Pier Park.  A combined half marathon, 5k run and kids’ fun run will be held to bring awareness to the Coastal Conservation Association, who protect our unique waterways and coastlines, habitat of the Redfish. Start times are at  8 am for the 1/2 Marathon, 8:30 am for the 5K,  and 10 am  for Kids’ Fun Run.

First Annual Panama City Beach Festival of the Arts

Join us for the 1st Annual Panama City Beach Festival of the Arts, at the Palms Conference Center, across from Zoo World.  Only $2.00 per person beginning Saturday 10am, and Sunday 10am. The festival is divided into three sections, Visual Arts, a juried art show with prizes totaling at least $8,000.00.  Performing Arts will showcase music, ballet; theater. Culinary Arts will also be featured. There will even be crafts which will make great gifts. 9201 Front Beach Road.

Panama City Beach Senior Center Christmas Bazaar

Check out the Panama City Beach Senior Center Christmas Bazaar. Beginning at 9:00 in the morning at the Oatfield Building at 423 Lyndell Lane. You can visit with other shoppers, get Christmas gifts, hand-painted ornaments, hand-made cards, candles, and more. Believe it or not,   admission is free.

First Annual Grand Lagoon Christmas Boat Parade

On Saturday night, you can join Grand Lagoon area merchants as they host the First Annual Grand Lagoon Christmas Boat Parade. What a sight as local boat owners show off their holiday spirit by decorating their vessels and floating through the west end of Grand Lagoon.  Boats will pass in front of the Boatyard, Captain Anderson’s, Lighthouse Marina, Treasure Island Marina, Pirates’ Cove Marina and 30 Degree Blue before returning back to Bay Point. Celebrity judges at the Boatyard will award prizes such as Most Patriotic, and Most Outlandish. Spectators are invited to watch the decorated boats at Captain Andersons, Pirates Cove Marina, Treasure Island Marina, Lighthouse Marina,  or take advantage of the exceptional viewing areas at the Boatyard and 30 Degree Blue.