The BEST time to visit Panama City Beach (and 40 unique things to do!)

Panama City Beach is one of the most beautiful beach towns on the Gulf Coast! But you might be wondering when is the best time to visit PCB? What is there to do? In this post I’m sharing all of my best tips about when to visit, what it’s like in spring and summer versus fall and winter, and some of the most unique seasonal events and unique things to do in Panama City Beach Florida!

Let me ask you this… when you hear Panama City Beach do you picture spring break and all the craziness that comes along with that? I did too until I moved here about a year ago and I’ve seen for myself what PCB is all about, and it’s got tons more to offer than just spring break. Let me share what I’ve discovered over the past year:

• the busiest times
• the quietest beaches 
• hidden gems
• fun unique things to do
• unexpected things that surprised me

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for the FAQ section,  where I’m giving out TONS of helpful tips from a local’s perspective and things that you won’t find anywhere else. 

Disclosure: Any tips or products shared are things I truly believe in. If you take action (ie make a purchase) after clicking one of the affiliate links, I’ll earn some money which helps me continue creating travel content for you. Thank you for your support!

Spring in Panama City Beach: March, April & May

Springtime in Panama City Beach is a gorgeous time of year.  Starting in March the average temperature is 72 degrees,  warming up in April to about 77 degrees and in May the average high is in the low 80s.  March kicks off Spring Break and marks the beginning of wonderful weather in PCB.

Spring is also the least rainy time of year so if you want to have a better chance of enjoying the sunshine and spending lots of time outdoors springtime is a great bet.  By visiting Panama City Beach in spring time you’re also avoiding the most muggy and humid summertime months.

Things To Do in Springtime in PCB

Spring is a gorgeous, warm and sunny (less crowded) time to visit the Florida Panhandle and especially Panama City Beach! Listed below are some of the unique seasonal events and cool things to do during springtime in PCB:

March

• The Panama City Beach Scottish Festival happens yearly in early March and has been a tradition for over 27 years
•  A local favorite is the Emerald Coast Cruizn Car Show. It actually occurs twice every year – once in early March and again in early November
• UNwineD is an event that happens every March and features wine and spirits from around the world, outdoor concerts and more 

April

• The Panama City Beach Seabreeze Jazz Festival happens every year in late April and has been named one of the Top 10 Jazz Festivals in the USA
• Local PCB bar and restaurant Schooner’s hosts a Cajun Festival every April where you can enjoy Cajun food and music on the beach

May

• Thunder Beach Bike Rally is arguably the most popular event happening every May. This event typically occurs at the very beginning of May and again in late October
• Another super popular May event in PCB is the Florida Jeep Jam which is in its sixth year and draws Jeep lovers from around the country to PCB. This event happens in mid May
• The Ironman 70.3 Gold Coast Triathlon is another event unique to the Florida Panhandle and has been coming to PCB for over 39 years in mid-May
•  If mixed martial arts is your thing, Panama City Beach hosts the annual MMA Beatdown At The Beach yearly in early May
• Another interesting event to look out for is the annual Pro Watercross National Tour which has been known to stop in Panama City Beach in May 
• Grand Lagoon Taco and Tequila Fest happens every May in PCB 
• In nearby Alys Beach,  Digital Graffiti is a recurring annual event that features art projected onto buildings in the community and is a must see if you’re in the area in May

Summer in Panama City Beach: June, July & August

Summertime in Panama City Beach is HOT! Average daily temperatures are in the 80s to 90s and you can definitely expect humidity. Something that’s great about summer time in PCB is that the lows are still in the 70s so you can really enjoy the day’s warmth from morning til night. If you’re not a fan of extreme high heat, you’ll love that PCB very rarely gets above the mid 90s. 

Summertime is the peak season in Panama City Beach, but did you know it’s also the rainiest time of year? It doesn’t mean that summertime isn’t a great time to take a trip but you can definitely expect to have showers and sprinkles on most days. 

Things To Do in Summer in PCB

Summer is the quintessential time to visit the gorgeous beaches of PCB and make memories. Below are some of the unique seasonal events and cool things happening during summertime:

June 

• Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is an annual country music event that happens yearly in PCB in early June
• If you love hot air balloons like I do, you’ll definitely want to check out the Panama City Beach Balloon Festival which is a newer event and occurs in late June
• The city hosts an outdoor Summer Concert Series every Tuesday at Aaron Bessant Park in June, July and August.  The huge outdoor Amphitheater and central location in PCB make this a can’t-miss event 
• In nearby Apalachicola (which is about a 45-minute scenic drive from PCB) you can check out the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival which happens at the end of June

July

• July is all about Independence Day in Panama City Beach where you’ll be wowed by the largest display of fireworks on the Gulf Coast! The city of PCB sets off fireworks from multiple piers on Independence Day after the sun goes down
• The Summer Concert Series continues every Tuesday at Aaron Bessant Park in June, July and August.  The huge outdoor Amphitheater and central location in PCB make this a can’t-miss event 

August

• The summer concert series continues in August so check it out every Tuesday evening at Aaron Bessant Park
•  The Florida Pride Festival also happens in early August in nearby Panama City
• The World Water Ski Championships have also been known to make a stop in PCB in late August 

Fall in Panama City Beach: September, October & November

My personal favorite time of year to visit Panama City Beach is fall! The months of September, October, and November have fantastic weather. In fact, September in Panama City Beach still feels like summertime with highs in the mid-80s. October and November start to cool down a little bit but it’s still warm enough to be in your swimsuit at the beach because the highs are still in the 70s and sometimes even warmer. 

The raininess of summertime also tapers off so you have more sunshine and cloudy days instead of dealing with the rain showers and the humidity that summertime brings. It’s a really comfortable time of year to spend time outdoors especially if  you’re not a fan of muggy, hot days. 

Things To Do in Fall in PCB

Fall is, in my opinion, the most ideal time to make a trip to Panama City Beach. Warm weather minus the crowds = beach perfection in my book! Below are some of the unique seasonal events and cool things happening during the fall months in PCB:

September

• The PCB Fishing Rodeo takes place in late September and features competitions in  multiple categories and the chance to win prizes
• Sand Jam Music Festival happens in late September and features alternative rock  

October

• Pirates of the High Seas Fest is a yearly event happening every October that features pirate ships, parades, costumes, and treasure 
• The biggest lobster festival in the region, Schooner’s Lobster Festival and Tournament is held in mid-October
•  Panama City Beach Oktoberfest also happens during this time of year and features German food, music and vendors
• In nearby Panama City you can check out the Hay Bale Trail downtown, where local businesses decorate hay bales to celebrate Halloween

November

• The Emerald Coast Cruizn Car Show happens twice yearly in March and November 
• Panama City Beach hosts a Veterans Day Parade every year on November 11th 
• Beach Home For The Holidays is a fun  Christmas event that happens at the end of November and features a giant Christmas tree, outdoor concerts, food trucks, s’mores and of course, Santa Claus 

Winter in Panama City Beach: December, January & February

If cooler weather is more your style, consider visiting Panama City Beach in wintertime. The average high in December, January, and February is in the 60s and the low is typically in the 50s. Occasionally it drops down into the 40s at night, which may surprise some people. PCB, as compared to other parts of Florida, has more distinct seasonal changes. Winter in Panama City Beach is cool and comfortable although it’s not the ideal time if you want to wear shorts, flip-flops, and swimsuits.

One positive of winter is that it’s less rainy and it’s considered the off-season, so it’s less crowded. If you are searching for quiet and peaceful desolate beaches where you’re the only one walking then winter time might be the time for you. Keep in mind that winter is typically the cloudiest  season in Panama City Beach But also the least humid. Many local restaurants close for the season during winter and reopen again in springtime.

Things To Do in Winter in PCB

If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy winter in Florida, this season is a great time to enjoy Panama City Beach. Below are some of the unique seasonal events and cool things happening during the winter months in PCB:

December

• The Optimist Christmas parade is a yearly lights parade that happens after the sun sets and features lots of bands, floats and more
• Captain Anderson’s hosts Bethlehem Village, a live nativity scene happening in December
• Want to track Santa? The North American Aerospace Defense Command at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City has a “Track Santa Claus” app and kids can also call them for updates on Santa’s location (1-877-446-6723)
• One of the last events that occurs in December at the end of the year is the PCB marathon and 5K 
• The New Year’s Eve ball drop takes place on December 31st at Pier Park where fireworks and thousands of beach balls drop to ring in the New Year 
• In nearby Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach, where Central and Eastern time zones meet, you can join the Celebrate Twice NYE festivities 

January

• As far as recurring events go, January is a quiet month!
• In nearby Walton County the 30A Songwriters Festival happens in January 

February

• The annual Food trucks of America Food Truck Festival happens in early to mid February at Aaron Bessant Park, on the west side of town
• The PCB Mardi Gras and Music Festival returns in 2022 and is one of the most loved events in Bay County Florida

FAQs About Panama City Beach

What is the hottest month in PCB? 

July is the hottest month in Panama City Beach and temperatures typically are in the upper 80s to mid-90s and very humid

What is the rainiest month in PCB?

July is the rainiest month in Panama City Beach raining on average 18 days out of the month

When is hurricane season? 

Hurricane season lasts from June to November of each year. The last hurricane to impact Panama City Beach was Hurricane Michael in 2018, which was a category 4 storm.

Is the water in Panama City Beach cold?

Luckily the Gulf of Mexico waters are pretty warm and from March through November/December water temperatures are in the mid-to-high 60s which is great for swimming. The winter months of January and February are when water is the coldest and not ideal for swimming. 

Does it rain every day in PCB?

No it does not rain everyday in Panama City Beach, however if you’re visiting during the rainy season you can expect showers many times throughout a typical week. It doesn’t mean that it will rain all day long but at least a portion of the day there will be rain. If you’re trying to avoid the rain, try to plan your trip during the drier months of October through April.

Does it get cold in PCB?

It depends what your idea of cold is! The coldest months are wintertime so in December, January, and February and the lows can get into the 40s and the highs are inthe 50s and 60s. For many people visiting Panama City Beach, this still feels warm for winter. But if you’re craving more warmth, anytime other than those 3 months it’s much warmer and your typical “Florida weather”.

When is the busiest/most crowded time in PCB?

Panama City Beach is the busiest during peak season which is in the summer months of June, July and August. I would argue that March is equally as busy because of spring break. 

When is the least busy time to visit PCB?

Winter time is the least busy time however it’s the coldest time to visit Panama City Beach. If you’re trying to find a less crowded time of year that’s still warm, I would highly recommend fall. You can still enjoy sunshine and warm weather, and the gulf waters are warm too but it’s not peak season so you’re avoiding crowds and higher prices. The off-season in PCB is considered November through February.

Where are the quietest beaches in PCB?

If you’re looking for solitude, the best place to go is either Shell Island (which is only accessible by boat) or easier to get to but still just as beautiful and peaceful is St. Andrews State Park. If you’re staying centrally located in Panama City Beach or on the west side, I would recommend the  beaches near Sunnyside or Laguna Beach.

Let’s Plan Your Trip to PCB!

Now that you’ve heard a little bit about each season in Panama City Beach it’s time to plan your trip! Take a moment to sign up to get added to my email list. As a thank you, I’ll send you a FREE copy of my road trip planner and checklist! It includes tons of trip tips and hacks, packing advice and more:

• Want to explore more of the Gulf Coast? Check out my post If You Haven’t Checked Out These Small Beach Towns on The Gulf Coast, You’re Missing Out

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I hope I’ve inspired you to visit PCB, it really is beautiful no matter when you visit. Enjoy your trip! Comment below and let me know which seasonal event you’re most excited to check out.