Fun For the Holidays – Panama City Beach Christmas -2011

The Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau promoted several festive ways for the family to the beach to celebrate during 2011. To see what’s planned for Christmas 2015 in Panama City Beach, FL click here.


NB: These activities took place during the 2011 season. These events may not take place each year.


Rumor has it, that Santa has officially made Panama City Beach Fl his vacation home this holiday season. It could be the beautiful temperature, stunning sunsets, or the famous, sugar-white sandy beaches that make him feel right at home. To welcome this jolly guest, Panama City Beach is celebrating with ‘Fun for the Holidays’. This 6 week long festival will include themed events, activities, attractions and festive light shows all the way up until December 23rd.

You’ve probably never been Ice Skating in Panama City Beach before…
Well now you can say you’re going to the beach… to go ice skating! Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can take the family ice skating in the Christmas Tree Forest & Ice Palace!

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Christmas Tree Forest & Ice Palace

During the holiday season, Panama City Beach is home to a magnificent forest of lighted Christmas trees AND a giant artificial ice skating rink! Located right in the heart of Panama City Beach (at the intersection of Alf Coleman Drive and Front Beach Road). The centerpiece of the forest is a huge 40-foot tree decorated with twinkling lights which are also choreographed to festive music. Your kids will have a great time skating around, surrounded by all the fun and magic.


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Santa’s Beach House Village

Shipwreck Island Waterpark (only 10 minutes from the Sandpiper) has been transformed into Santa’s Beach House Village. In true ‘Santa-style’ you will find lighting displays with festive elves and reindeer. Plus, as an extra special treat, your family will be greeted by Santa’s “friends of the sea”; starfish, seahorses, turtles, dolphin, fish and crabs. The kids will be completely captivated, from the festive craft tables where they can create keepsakes, to posing for photos with Santa himself!


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Christmas Under the Sea

The Sandpiper Beacon is one of the closest beachfront hotels to the 1,500 foot M.B. Miller County Pier, just opposite Pier Park. At night, the pier really comes to life with animated displays and light shows along the entire length.If that isn’t cool enough, then your kids will love, is the 100ft wide video mapping on the gulf waters (on both sides of the pier)… where you can watch a family of dolphins decorate their home for Christmas under the sea!


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Snowflake Show

Chances are, you’ve never seen a high definition animated light show on an 18 story beach condo before… Well here’s your chance! Come and watch this spectacular six-minute long video mapping display on the Sterling Reef resort property. The festive characters in this show include a loveable dolphin family, flip, flop, and snowflake!


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Beach Ball Drop

If you’re not having a blast in the Sandpiper Tiki Bar on Dec. 31st then the 2nd best place to be is Pier Park. Arrive around 5:30p.m onwards, so the kids can enjoy free bounce houses, street performers, stilt walkers, face painters and live music. There’s even a special (early) children’s beach ball drop, where thousands of inflatable beach balls fall from the sky (8:00 p.m.) Just before midnight the huge glowing beach ball begin its 100-foot descent for the 4th Annual Panama City Beach Ball Drop.


To find Out More
http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/holidays