From Jazz to Jet Trails: Spring Events on the Coast
From jazz-filled weekends to high-flying airshow thrills, spring on the coast brings a lineup that hits every note. This month features everything from the Seabreeze Jazz Festival’s smooth sounds and the culinary strolls of UNwineD, to family-friendly favorites like Easter egg hunts, races through coastal preserves, and the return of the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show with the Thunderbirds soaring overhead. Add in food festivals, live music in the park, and community events from Panama City Beach to 30A, and you’ve got a spring calendar packed with reasons to get outside and make the most of it.
FEATURED EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
UNwineD
Aaron Bessant Park | Panama City Beach
April 3-4, 2026
Sip, savor, and stroll your way through this stylish garden party at Aaron Bessant Park, where craft beer, fine wines, and premium spirits are paired with bites from some of Northwest Florida’s top chefs. The weekend kicks off with an exclusive Friday night event hosted by Southern Living (limited to 250 guests, $195), followed by Saturday’s Grand Afternoon Tasting ($85, or $115 early entry) featuring tastings, cooking demos, wine seminars, and local vendors. Set in a relaxed, bring-your-own-chair setting just steps from the beach, the event also supports charities including Make-A-Wish, making it a feel-good favorite for foodies and wine lovers alike. Tickets and full schedule of events HERE.
History Tour
Camp Helen State Park | Panama City Beach
April 4, 2026, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Go beyond your park visit and discover the past and present on a ranger guided history walking tour of the grounds at Camp Helen. Learn about the rich history of Camp Helen’s Historic District, which is a Nationally Registered Historic Place, from the Hicks family building all the way to when Avondale Textile Mill utilized the property for their employee summer retreat . This free tour will begin promptly at 10 am from the Visitor Center. For more information, visit their website HERE.
The Great 30A Easter Race
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park | Santa Rosa Beach
April 4, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
Kick off Easter weekend on the coast with the Great 30A Easter Race at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, where runners can choose between scenic paved paths or a more adventurous trail-and-beach 10K course. Set entirely within the park’s natural beauty, this festive race offers something for every level — from a 5K to two different 10K start options — followed by a celebratory awards ceremony. It’s a fun, active way to experience the outdoors and soak in the stunning coastal landscape of 30A while joining a lively community event. Sign up HERE.
Easter Egg Hunt
Frank Brown Park | Panama City Beach
April 4, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bring the kids out for a classic Easter tradition at this annual community egg hunt hosted by the City of Panama City Beach. Designed for children 10 and under, the event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with plenty of eggs to find and festive fun to enjoy. Little ones can also snap a photo with the Easter Bunny, making it a sweet and simple way to celebrate the holiday with family and friends.
Spring Concert Series
Sharon Sheffield Park | Lynn Haven
April 10/17/24, 2026, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Enjoy a free Friday night tradition in Lynn Haven as the Spring Concert Series brings live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun to the community each week. Kicking off April 10, the series features a rotating lineup of regional talent, starting with the Thomas Merritt Band (rock ’n’ soul), followed by Scratch 2020 on April 17 and 12Eleven on April 24, offering a mix of variety, R&B, pop, and more. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, settle in, and enjoy an easygoing spring evening filled with great music and good company.
Gulf Coast Salute Air Show
Russell-Fields City Pier | Panama City Beach
April 10-12, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Look to the skies for one of the most thrilling weekends on the coast as the Gulf Coast Salute Airshow returns to Panama City Beach. Centered around Russell-Fields City Pier, this high-flying event features jaw-dropping performances from the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, along with acts like Mike Goulian, the Misty Blues Parachute Team, wing walkers, and more. On the ground, Aaron Bessant Park hosts a lively festival atmosphere with a new STEM Zone offering hands-on activities like robotics, rocket building, and marine exhibits, plus vendors, live music, and family-friendly entertainment throughout the day. The Thunderbirds perform at 3:00 p.m. daily (schedule subject to last-minute changes), making it an action-packed experience both in the air and on the ground. More information HERE.
Seabreeze Jazz Festival
Aaron Bessant Park | Panama City Beach
April 22-26, 2026
Smooth sounds meet beachside vibes at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, a nationally recognized event that draws more than 20,000 fans to Panama City Beach each year. Held at Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, this multi-day festival features an impressive lineup of top smooth jazz artists, including headliners like The Commodores and Dave Koz & Friends, along with performances from Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Peter White, and more. Beyond the main stage, the weekend includes special dinner cruises, late-night after parties, and nonstop live music from afternoon into the evening — creating a laid-back yet high-energy atmosphere that perfectly blends world-class jazz with the Gulf Coast setting. Tickets and lineup HERE.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
Grand Boulevard | Miramar Beach
April 24, 2026, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Sip, savor, and celebrate at the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, a four-day culinary experience where celebrity winemakers, distillers, and chefs come together for a truly world-class showcase of wine, food, and coastal lifestyle. Stroll Grand Boulevard sampling hundreds of wines, enjoying live music, and exploring interactive tastings and events — from Thursday’s Winemakers & Shakers to Friday’s VIP tastings and cocktail showcases, all leading into the weekend’s Grand Tastings on Saturday (3–6 p.m.) and Sunday (1–4 p.m.). Blending sunshine, industry experts, culinary icons, and a little fun and flair, this standout Southeast festival offers the perfect pairing of flavor, energy, and beachside atmosphere—there’s truly something for everyone. Purchase tickets HERE.
Spring into Sports
Frank Brown Park | Panama City Beach
April 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Head to Frank Brown Park for a fun, active morning at this community-focused Spring into Sports event. Designed for all ages, the event features a variety of sports and activities like soccer and basketball, along with local vendors and plenty of space to enjoy the park’s playground, trails, and picnic areas. A complimentary hot dog lunch from the Optimist Club of the Beach and sodas from Buffalo Rock add to the laid-back, family-friendly vibe. Best of all, it’s completely free to attend—making it an easy way to get outside and enjoy a little sunshine and community connection. Learn more HERE.
Thunder Beach
Frank Brown Park | Panama City Beach
April 29-30, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Feel the rumble of engines and the energy of one of the country’s most biker-friendly rallies as Thunder Beach rolls into Panama City Beach this spring. Known for its laid-back, coastal vibe, this free event brings together riders from across the country for scenic rides along the Gulf, hundreds of vendors, bike shows, and live entertainment spread across multiple venues. The April lineup kicks off with Vendor Village opening daily at 9 a.m., along with live music throughout the day featuring artists like Derek Givens, Split Kricket, Big Engine, Poison Whiskey, and Kelly & The Healers. Whether you’re a rider or just along for the atmosphere, it’s a high-energy, full-throttle way to experience the beach. Visit their website HERE for the full schedule and additional information.
