Feel-Good February
February on the Emerald Coast is packed with flavor, music, movement, and Mardi Gras magic. From outdoor adventures and live concerts to foodie festivals, race weekend excitement, and colorful parades, this month brings plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the season. Whether you’re cheering on runners, sipping wine in Alys Beach, or catching a cirque show under the stars, there’s no shortage of memorable ways to experience the coast in February.
FEATURED EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Ranger-Led Nature Hike
Camp Helen State Park | Panama City Beach
February 5, 2026, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Join a park ranger on a guided nature hike through Camp Helen State Park and start the year off on the right foot. During the hike, the rangers will share information about the flora and fauna found throughout the park. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. Hundreds of guided hikes will be organized in all 50 states on New Year’s Day. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear closed toe shoes. The program is free with paid park entry of $4 per vehicle. Visit their website HERE.
Mardi Gras & Music Festival
Historic St. Andrews | Panama City
February 6-7, 2025
Get ready for two full days of Mardi Gras in historic St. Andrews, Panama City, February 6–7, 2026! This free celebration brings over 14 krewes and 30+ colorful floats, with tens of thousands of beads and doubloons tossed to crowds of 50,000+. Friday kicks off at 4:00 PM with pet and kids parades, a mask parade, food, and family fun, while Saturday runs 10:00 AM–10:00 PM with the main parade at 2:00 PM, festival activities all day, and a spectacular drone show at 6:00 PM. Music, festive eats, and lively entertainment make this one of the Gulf Coast’s most unforgettable Mardi Gras experiences. For the full schedule and parade details visit their website HERE.
History Tour
Camp Helen State Park | Panama City Beach
February 7, 2025, 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.
Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival
Aaron Bessant Park, Panama City Beach
February 7-8, 2026, 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Food Truck Festivals of America returns to Aaron Bessant Park with a full afternoon of great eats, craft beer, and family-friendly fun from 12:00–5:00 p.m. (with early VIP entry from 11:00 a.m.–noon). Around 30 food trucks will be serving everything from BBQ, wood-fired pizza, and gourmet burgers to tacos, hibachi, mac & cheese, and global flavors, alongside a wide selection of craft beers and beverages available for purchase. General admission is $5 in advance or $10 at the gate, with kids 12 and under free and first responders receiving free admission with valid ID. For those looking to upgrade, Beer Lover packages start at $40 for one day or $70 for two days and include early entry and craft beer samples, while VIP tickets are $25 for one day or $40 for two days, offering early access, a free dessert, and other perks. Add in lawn games, music, an artisan market, and a built-in softball tournament, and it’s an easy plan for a laid-back, flavor-packed day at the park. Additional information and tickets HERE.
Americana Concerts in the Lodge
Camp Helen State Park | Panama City Beach
February 7/21/28, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
The Americana Concert Series continues this February at the historic Lodge inside Camp Helen State Park, offering intimate evenings of live music in a cozy, one-of-a-kind setting. Hosted by the Friends of Camp Helen, the February lineup features Rough & Tumble on February 7, The Honey Badgers on February 21, and Wyatt Espalin on February 28, showcasing a mix of folk, Americana, and singer-songwriter talent. Each show is limited to just 75 seats, creating an up-close listening experience that tends to sell out quickly. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., music begins at 6:30 p.m., and light refreshments are provided. Tickets must be purchased in advance online HERE, as none are sold at the park.
Seaside School(R) Race Weekend
Central Court | Santa Rosa Beach
February 13-14, 2026
Kick off Seaside Race Weekend on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 6–9 p.m. with Taste of the Race at the SEASIDE® Lyceum, one of 30A’s most anticipated culinary events. Sample dishes from over a dozen of the Gulf Coast’s top chefs and restaurants, paired with complimentary wine, craft cocktails, and local brews, while enjoying live music and the excitement of chefs competing for People’s Choice, Judges’ Choice, and Chef’s Choice awards. Then join the Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K on Saturday, February 14, from 12–4 p.m., where runners from across the country take to the scenic streets of Seaside, Florida. Presented by SEASIDE® and Visit South Walton, the race supports The Seaside School, Inc., funding programs that enrich learning opportunities for students at both the Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School. From foodie fun to coastal fitness, the weekend offers a perfect mix of flavor, fun, and community. More HERE.
30A Wine Festival
Various Venues | Alys Beach
February 18-22, 2026
Sip, savor, and celebrate at the 14th annual 30A Wine Festival in Alys Beach, February 18–22, 2026! This five-day culinary celebration features everything from elegant wine dinners and oysters + champagne to tequila tastings, bourbon & BBQ, and the Grand Tasting with 80+ wines. Enjoy live music, brunches, rosé & croquet, and plenty of opportunities to sample craft cocktails, local brews, and gourmet bites—all while supporting the Children’s Volunteer Health Network. With á la carte tickets for each event, there’s something for every palate and passion, making it a must-experience weekend along 30A. For the full schedule and tickets, visit the official website HERE.
Cirque Under the Stars
Aaron Bessant Park | Panama City Beach
February 28, 2026, 5:30-7.30 p.m.
Experience “Eclipse - Creatures of the Veil”, an evening of high-flying excitement at this family-friendly cirque-style event featuring aerial acrobatics, cirque performers, and fire acts—all created locally by Santa Rosa Beach Aerial Arts. Showcasing talented performers and creative businesses from across the Panhandle, this outdoor production delivers a thrilling, one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else in the region. Food trucks and refreshments will be available on site, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for festival-style seating. Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for kids under 12, and free for children ages 4 and under, with limited VIP front-section tickets available. This rain-or-shine event promises an unforgettable night of movement, music, and spectacle under the open sky. Purchase your tickets HERE.
Cirque Italia: Water Circus
Frank Brown Park | Panama City Beach
February 27-28, 2026, Various Times
Experience the magic of Water Circus Atlantis, a visually stunning show by Cirque Italia featuring breathtaking aerials, world-class acrobatics, and mesmerizing water effects. Performed on a custom-designed stage holding 35,000 gallons of water, the production blends graceful movement, dancing fountains, and synchronized lighting into an unforgettable experience for all ages. Equal parts excitement and wonder, this family-friendly show is a memorable way to spend a February evening on the coast. Performances take place Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be found HERE.
