When you first think about a vacation at Panama City Beach, you probably wouldn’t assume that winter would be one of the best times to visit. Well, we’re here to tell you a little-known secret: wintertime is actually one of the beach’s most engaging, exciting seasons! As an area with so many things to do, sometimes searching for winter activities on Panama City Beach alone can be challenging.
That’s why we put together this guide to tell you the top five reasons Panama City Beach is the place to be during the winter months.
Perfect Temperatures
Everyone loves a good tropical vacation, but some prefer cooler and sunny temperatures over the sweltering temperatures of a PCB summer. If that sounds like your speed, you’ll love the Panama City Beach weather you’ll find during the winter. In December, January, and February, the average high temperature will be in the 60s, with a low typically in the 50s.
Though this season is considered the cloudiest in Panama City Beach, it’s also the least humid. Peaceful and quiet, the off-season of the beach is usually not very rainy, making it ideal for casual strolls along the water and nestling under a blanket while watching the sunset over the horizon. With a chillier climate, it is the perfect opportunity to experience Panama City Beach’s various indoor activities.
Less Crowding on the Beach
A typical opposition to visiting the beach in the wintertime is that it is commonly viewed as the “off-season.” While this is true, there is no reason that it being the off-season is a bad thing as opposed to a clear benefit.
Nothing is more annoying than going on a vacation, meant to rejuvenate you from the stress of everyday life, only to get faced with endless wait times, never-ending lines, and absolutely no room for seating at the beach you desperately wanted to see.
If you visit Panama City Beach during the winter, you’ll be happy to find that the large crowds are almost entirely diminished. You can go where you want to go and see what you want to see with little worry that you’ll have to wait around for extended periods. To avoid any discomfort and experience the beach from a more calm and personal point of view, consider winter travel.
Winter Events
Another excellent reason to stop by Panama City Beach during winter is that the year-long stream of exciting happenings doesn’t pause with cold weather. Some of the beach’s most iconic and memorable events happen during winter.
Food Truck Festival
One of these events mentioned above is the Panama City Beach Food Truck Festival, which takes place on February 18th and 19th each year. Along with some of Florida’s most popular food trucks dishing out fan-favorite dishes, you can try some of the season’s top craft beers. The weekend-long event features various fun activities for the whole family- from lawn games to live music. Whether you’re hankering for a slice of wood-fired pizza, juicy BBQ, or even just a sip of cold beer, the Food Truck Festival is not an event you want to miss.
Mardi Gras and Music Festival
On February 3rd and 4th, stop by one of the most iconic Panama City Beach festivals- the yearly Beach Mardi Gras and Music Festival. This event takes the excitement of an authentic Mardi Gras celebration and combines it with the beauty of our beach’s beautiful blue water and soft white sand.
The events, games, and musical talent vary annually, allowing for a memorable experience no matter how many times you witness it! But one tradition that always remains the same is the legendary Mardi Gras beach parade, which is a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday with locals and other visitors.
Panama City Beach Scottish Festival
For a truly unique experience, brought to the beach by the non-profit organization The Celtic Heritage Alliance, visit during the annual Panama City Beach Scottish Festival. This event, along with the organization as a whole, is meant to preserve, educate, and promote Celtic culture and tradition.
This event is the Florida Panhandle’s only Scottish festival, despite the Northwest region of Florida being predominantly settled by immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. It is meant to display pride regarding their ancestors and strive to honor the culture they cultivated with a series of fun and educational events. Join them for a weekend full of vendors, activities, and, of course, beer!
Plan Your Visit!
Planning your dream vacation to Panama City Beach doesn’t have to be difficult! Whenever you book with Dunes of Panama, it’s easy! Just visit our website, reserve your favorite Panama City Beach vacation rental, and prepare to make unbeatable memories in PCB!
Shopping
Post-Holiday season, it’s not surprising that you want to shop in Panama City Beach for yourself after getting gifts for your loved ones.
For starters, you can visit the Pier Park Shopping Center. This 1.1 million square foot center is a can’t-miss shopping destination, carrying everything from unique local goods to familiar retail franchises. Outside of this center, there are also plenty of local spots to get exclusive goodies.
Coastal Casuals is a locally-owned clothing store notorious for its colorful apparel. In addition to their clothing, they also have a variety of handcrafted accessories for you to choose from. Another well-known spot is the Ron Jon Surf Shop, and it is nothing less than a beach extravaganza. Everything sold at the shop is beach-themed, covering apparel, souvenirs, and even little hermit crabs.
Regardless of what you’re looking for, whether niche or trendy, there is absolutely a store made just for you to find during your Panama City Beach shopping.
Dining
If there’s one thing that doesn’t change with the seasons here, it’s the delicious quality of our many Panama City Beach restaurants. There is nothing compared to the breathtaking experience of watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, all while tasting the freshest catch of the day.
For that very reason, Hook’d Pier and Grill is a common destination for those looking for a meal with a view. Their location allows a pristine look at the picturesque water, and their menu complements the fun environment with meal options like shrimp tacos with their signature tropical mango-pico sauce.
You can check out Sharkey’s Beachfront Restaurant for a more lively vibe. While they share the same gorgeous view, those at Sharkey’s can witness it with a massive margarita in their hand. Plus, they’re known for their live music almost every day of the week, so you can jam out as the sun goes down.
Book a Panama City Beach Condo Rental with Dunes of Panama
Even if these benefits are enough to convince you to visit, there remains the question of where to stay. Luckily, our Panama City Beach condo rentals are an excellent option for those who want to relax in the beauty of nature without sacrificing the comforts of the indoors.
During the winter, there’s no better feeling than having a warm, comfortable place to retreat after a long day of excitement. If you want great views, caring service, and memories to last a lifetime, consider staying in one of our Panama City Beach condos this winter.
