Panama City Beach is a slice of heaven located on Florida’s scenic panhandle. The area is known for its emerald-green water and pearly white sands. The incredible weather and festive atmosphere of Panama City Beach make it an ideal place for a vacation.
When February rolls around and the weather starts getting warmer, an assortment of Panama City Beach festivals begin to happen in the area. If you are planning to explore Panama City Beach events during this time, you will not want to miss out on the excitement.
One of the most popular events of the year is the Annual Panama City Beach Mardi Gras & Music Festival. This family-friendly celebration draws crowds every year for its exceptional parades and festivities. Tourists and locals alike love to celebrate Mardi Gras in a beautiful setting like Panama City Beach. If you and your loved ones plan on staying at one of our incredible Panama City Beach condos in the month of February, the Mardi Gras and Music Festival is not an event to be missed.
About Mardi Gras
The history behind Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years. It is celebrated today as a Christian holiday and was originally a celebration of Pagan spring and the season of fertility. The original celebrations were extravagant and uplifting. Once Christianity began to take over Rome, leaders of the church decided to incorporate Mardi Gras into their celebrations.
Mardi Gras takes place on “Fat Tuesday”, so the gluttonous and wild festival would take place right before Lent. Mardi Gras became the last chance to party and let loose before the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. As Christianity spread, so did Mardi Gras, and soon countries like France, Spain, England, and Germany were celebrating the holiday.
Mardi Gras is referred to in many places as Carnival. The name carnival comes from the Medieval Latin root carnelevarium, which means removing or taking away meat. This name came to be because Mardi Gras celebrations of the past required that families go through all the meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and fatty foods in their home so they wouldn’t go bad during Lent. This feast is also where the name “Fat Tuesday” comes from.
Some common celebrations of the American Carnival celebration include throwing colorful beads, wearing masks, decorating floats, giving out trinkets, and eating King Cake. The celebrations have spread throughout the country and Mardi Gras festivals have popped up all over.
Festivals are planned and attended by Krewe’s, which are organizations that help organize and celebrate Mardi Gras parades and festivals. Some of these Krewes are highly secretive and difficult to join, but others are very open and eager to find new members.
About The Festival
The Official Mardi Gras parade and festival is hosted by the Krewe of St. Andrews. This festival is put on by the collaboration of over 14 Krewes in the area. This Krewe will be celebrating its 26th festival in 2023, and they are pleased to bring back another exciting parade and festival. This celebration is the official Mardi Gras celebration in Panama City, Florida, and it is the biggest celebration in all of Bay County.
On the weekend of the festival, around 50,000 people are expected to come out every year and celebrate the holiday. The Panama City celebration includes all of the typical traditions of a Mardi Gras parade including extravagant floats, vivacious live music, and tens of thousands of beads and doubloons being thrown into the crowd. The festival takes place over three fun-filled days.
One of the biggest attractions of the festival is the Panama City Beach Mardi Gras Parade. There are three parades celebrated at the festival. The first parade is the kids’ parade. This event is a great opportunity to introduce younger children to Mardi Gras. While the whole festival is family-friendly, this parade can help you gauge if the music and partying might be too much for your child. In addition to the parade, the festival kicks off on this day and food, music, and drinks are offered.
The main parade takes place the next day. This is the biggest attraction of the weekend and is not to be missed. 14 Krewes will bring the party to Panama City on 30 stunning floats. The parade includes a color guard, music, and all of the beads and doubloons you could ask for. On the second day, the festival starts early in the day and lasts until late at night. Panama city turns into a total party and crowds are at their largest.
The final day of the parade is the pet parade. This takes place on the last day of the Festival and is an adorable way to celebrate the holiday and see some adorable animals. The animals meet at Oaks by the Bay Park and come decked out in spectacular costumes. This day is the last chance to celebrate the Mardi Gras festival.
Plan Your Visit to Panama City Beach
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What To Expect
If you are planning to attend the St. Andrews Mardi Gras parade and festival, prepare to have an amazing weekend at one of the most exciting events in Panama City Beach. Admission to the festival is free, but special VIP tickets are available on a first-come basis.
The festival draws around 50,000 people every year, so be sure to get there early if you want to beat the crowds. The first day of the festival starts at midday with the kids’ parade. The second day starts earlier in the morning and has the main parade in the afternoon. The final day starts in the morning, as well, and goes until late afternoon with the pet parade happening mid-day.
Those attending the parade for the first time should be prepared for large crowds, loud music, and animals. The festival is considered family-friendly, but those who do not enjoy large or hectic events might not enjoy the festival.
The Panama City Beach Mardi Gras Parade and Festival takes place on a different date every year depending on when the holiday is. It will take place in mid-February 2023, early February 2024, and late February 2025.
Where Is The Festival
The festival takes place in historic St. Andrews Panama City, Florida. The parade travels down Beck Ave. and the main festival area is located on the waterfront. The festival is a great way to see the adorable town of Panama City and explore more of the local restaurants and stores.
Book a Panama City Beach Condo Rental with Dunes of Panama
If you are looking to visit Panama City in February, the Mardi Gras Parade and festival is one the best events in Panama City Beach. Panama City Beach is an incredible place, and a great way to ensure that your vacation is perfect is by choosing to book one of our amazing Panama Beach condos.
When you book through us at Dunes of Panama Vacation Rentals, you will secure an amazing beachfront condo that suits your group’s specific needs. With 1,500 feet of private beachfront, Dunes of Panama offers the best Panama City Beach condo rentals.
