Special Interest

Home to a year-round calendar of events for every taste and preference, Panama City Beach offers you a wide range of unique activities and events to enjoy that meet your special interests. Whether it’s sports, music, cuisine, or cars, the destination offers a diverse collection of family-friendly fun and entertainment. Events like the yearly IRONMAN Gulf Coast and the Panama City Beach Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K give you the chance to participate in world class sporting events or cheer on the competitors. Those interested in cars will love Panama City Beach’s Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Car Show, a three-day showcase for classic cars, hot rods and speedsters in March. Motorcycle enthusiasts greatly enjoy the bi-annual Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally, which brings upwards of 60,000 people to the beach in May and October.

Families love the annual Columbus Day tradition of the Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Festival, a free festival in Pier Park that features live music, pirate parades, pirate costumes, fireworks and more. Another yearly favorite is the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, which brings some of the top national smooth jazz artists to the beach for a weekend full of fun in April. If you’re seeking unique culture, you can also enjoy the annual Panama City Beach Scottish Festival in Frank Brown Park, featuring Scottish athletic competitions and Scottish and Irish musical performances.