PANAMA CITY — Join the festivities at local New Year’s Eve events to help bring in 2022 with friends, family and fun.
Below are six Bay County New Year’s Eve events to pick from this year:
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On Friday evening, streets will be closed off in Pier Park for the Panama City Beach 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop. This free event welcomes families and friends to help bring in the new year with live music, entertainment, fireworks and more.
Kick-off for the festivities starts at 5:35 p.m. with live music by the Barry Fish Band, followed by performances from The Will Thompson Band at 8:15 p.m. and Celebrity All-Star Band at 10 p.m. Lots of games, activities, shopping, and foods will be available for everyone to enjoy.
At 8 p.m., the first beach ball drop begins with 10,000 beach balls falling from the sky as an early celebration for those who are ready to go to bed. Closer to midnight, the celebration will continue at Celebration Tower with the crowd waiting to bring in the new year.
Panama City officials invite the community to join the festivities from 5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday at the New Year’s Eve Block Party on Harrison Avenue, presented by Rhino Marketing. The family-friendly event includes live music, food and drink vendors, axe throwing, a kid zone and more. A children’s ball drop and a countdown will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a marquee countdown at midnight.
This event is free to the public; however, VIP tickets are available to purchase through New Year’s Eve Block Party Tickets | Eventbrite. VIP tickets are $100 and include access to the VIP area with a padded chair provided, a token for a free meal at any participating food vendor or restaurant, and unlimited drinks provided for the entire event.
The Bay Area Jeep Association will host a New Year’s Eve cookout in Lynn Haven at A.L. Kinsaul Park, located at the end of Fifth Street. The neighborhood barbecue will raise money for Big Brothers and Sisters of Northwest Florida and the tornado victims of Samburg, Tennessee. Plates of fresh pulled pork with two sides are $15 each, while hamburgers and hotdogs with a side are $8 each. The party kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday.
Join the Little Village & Finns party in St. Andrews for the “It’s 12:00 Somewhere New Year’s Eve Celebration.” The festivities include live performances by Wickid Smooth Music, a champagne toast, party favors, and the infamous ALF drop. The event is set for 6-9 p.m. and is free to the public.
Barracuda Beach Bar and Grill in Panama City Beach is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with Rock God Radio singing rock hits from the 1980s and ’90s. The festivities include a champagne toast at midnight with party favors and a massive balloon drop. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a performance by DJ Awesome Ant at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at $10 at the door or purchased on Eventbrite.
Eat, drink, play, party and ring in 2022 at Dave & Buster’s in Panama City Beach at the 21 and up exclusive New Year’s celebration. Packages start at $72 and are available to purchase on Eventbrite. All packages include a dinner buffet of Dave & Buster’s favorites, unlimited coffee, tea, and soda, a $25 Power Card, and gameplay for the Million Dollar Midway. The celebration will last from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a champagne toast, party favors and festive decor.