From bratwursts to bream, bikers to bayou beasts, Panama City Beach and Bay County are serving up a jam-packed October of festivals, concerts, spooky thrills, and family favorites. Whether you’re raising a stein at Oktoberfest, rocking out under the stars, casting a line at the Fishing Rodeo, or trick-or-treating by boat, there’s something for everyone this month. Grab your costumes, your crew, and your appetite - October’s calendar is stacked with can’t-miss celebrations!
FEATURED EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Oktoberfest
Aaron Bessant Park | Panama City Beach
October 3-5, 2025
Experience one of Florida’s largest and most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations on the Gulf Coast! Enjoy live music from The Bräts, The Czechers, and the Will Thompson Band, sip German brews like Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr, and join in stein-hoisting competitions, tug-of-war, and best-dressed contests. With family-friendly activities, bounce houses, German-inspired food, and unique vendors, PCB Oktoberfest delivers a full weekend of Bavarian fun for all ages. Prost! For the full event schedule and tickets visit their website HERE.
The Art of Frankenstein
Center of the Arts | Panama City
October 3-4, 2025, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
This October, Downtown Panama City transforms for spooky season as the Bay Arts Alliance presents the Art of Frankenstein Exhibition and Frankenstein’s Laboratory: An Immersive Experience at the Center for the Arts. Opening Friday, October 3, 5–7 pm, the exhibition features regional artists’ creations in painting, sculpture, photography, and digital media, from classic monster depictions to inventive, abstract interpretations of Mary Shelley’s iconic story. The event is free to attend. That weekend, guests can also explore the Fright Nights Art Market and step inside the immersive laboratory to meet Dr. Frankenstein, encounter his legendary creation, and experience a vividly reimagined workspace - making it a must-see seasonal outing. More HERE.
Fall Concert Series
Sharon Sheffield Park | Lynn Haven
October 3/10/17, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The Fall Concert Series is back for another season of live music, delicious food, and family-friendly fun, featuring performances by Chandler Flint (Oct. 3), Boukou Groove (Oct. 10), PCB Eclipse (Oct. 17), and The Gr8ful Dads & The Foxy Vox (Oct. 24). Bring chairs, blankets, and your favorite people to enjoy relaxed outdoor evenings in Lynn Haven - don’t miss this beloved seasonal tradition!
Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest
Various Venues | Panama City Beach
October 10-12, 2025
Panama City Beach transforms into a world of adventure this October with the return of the Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest. This free, family-friendly celebration combines pirate mischief with Renaissance flair, offering a weekend full of parades, fireworks, treasure drop, live mermaids, sword fights, fire performances, and a bustling marketplace. From swashbuckling pirate crawls to jousting knights and royal chess matches, the event brings history and fantasy to life across Aaron Bessant Park, Pier Park, and Capt. Anderson’s Marina. The festivities wrap up with a pirate flotilla on the Grand Lagoon and a spectacular fireworks finale over the Gulf. Check out the full schedule HERE.
PCB Fishing Rodeo
Captain Anderson’s Marina | Panama City Beach
October 10-12, 2025, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Join the PCB Seafood Festival at Capt. Anderson’s Marina from October 10–12, running alongside the PCB Fishing Rodeo! Enjoy fresh seafood competitions, live entertainment, local vendors, bounce houses for the kids, and a spectacular fireworks show on Sunday night. This weekend-long coastal celebration offers fun for the whole family - don’t miss it! For more information or to register visit their website HERE.
Nightmare by the Bay - Beasts of the Bayou
Barbara W Nelson Fine Arts Center | Panama City
October 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Step into the eerie world of Nightmare by the Bay – Beasts of the Bayou: Terror in the Mist, an immersive Halloween experience blending folklore, original storytelling, and haunting symphonic music conducted by Sergey Bogza and performed by the Panama City Symphony Orchestra. Now in its third season, this production brings costumes, cinematography, and epic performances together to create a thrilling journey through the mysterious and spooky bayou—perfect for fans of suspense, spectacle, and seasonal chills. Costumes are optional, but encouraged for those ready to embrace their inner beast. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Schooners Lobster Festival
Schooners Last Local Beach Club | Panama City Beach
October 16-19, 2025, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Lobster lovers, get ready! From October 16–19, Schooners hosts its annual Lobster Festival, a beachside tradition packed with live music, giant sand sculptures, and plenty of fresh lobster prepared every way you can imagine of course. From grilled lobster tails to massive beach feasts, it’s four days of great food and entertainment right on the sand. Don’t miss this crustacean celebration! More details can be found HERE.
Paws in the Park
Frank Brown Park | Panama City Beach
October 18, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Celebrate your furry friends with Police K9 demonstrations, the inaugural Doggie Dash with medals and reflective dog tags, pet parades, costume contests, adoption opportunities, and vendors for all your pet needs. Bring your pets, family, and friends for a morning full of fun, wagging tails, and community spirit!
Thunder Beach Fall Motorcycle Rally
Various Venues | Panama City Beach
October 22-26, 2025, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Experience Thunder Beach, one of the most biker-friendly free rallies in the U.S., where motorcyclists, vendors, and exhibitors gather to celebrate bike culture. Enjoy live bands, custom motorcycles, scenic rides along Panama City Beach, and unique activities at seven official venues spread across the area. It’s a weekend full of entertainment, camaraderie, and the thrill of the open road! Visit the official event website HERE.
Haunted Walking Tour
Historic Downtown | Panama City
October 24-25, 2025, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Explore the spooky side of downtown Panama City on a haunted walking tour that uncovers the city’s ghostly past. From historic murders to lingering spirits, this guided tour takes you through the streets where history and the supernatural collide. Expect chills, thrills, and stories that will stay with you long after the tour ends. Tickets go on sale October 1 HERE.
Haunted 5K, 10K & Half Marathon
Conservation Park | Panama City Beach
October 25, 2025, 8:00 a.m.
Get into the Halloween spirit with the Haunted 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon at Conservation Park in Panama City Beach. Runners of all levels can enjoy out-and-back courses, earn themed finisher medals, and show off their creativity—costumes are encouraged but optional, with a prize for the best one. This festive race is part of the US Road Running Race Series, making it perfect for those seeking a fun, spooky challenge this October. Register HERE.
Kids Fishing Rodeo
Frank Brown Park Youth Fishing Pond | Panama CIty Beach
October 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Youth Fishing Rodeo is a fun-filled, free event for kids aged 16 and under, where young anglers can test their skills, learn from pros, and enjoy a day of fishy adventures. Prizes are awarded for the biggest catch and for the top bream, catfish, and bass, and the first 300 participants will receive rods and reels. Kids who bring their own fishing pole also get 1 free admission to the Russell-Fields Pier. The Optimist Club will be serving free hot dogs, making it a full day of fun, food, and family-friendly excitement. More than just hooks and lines, this rodeo inspires a love for nature while creating unforgettable memories for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
St Andrews Truck or Treat Bash
St Andrews State Park | Panama CIty Beach
October 25, 2025, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween under the stars at St. Andrews State Park with a fun, family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat on October 25 from 6–7 PM in the Jetty Parking Lot. Enjoy decorated trunks for trick-or-treating, face painting, games, snacks, and a trunk decorating contest. Costumes are encouraged, and parking is $8 per vehicle. This free-entry event promises a safe and spooktacular evening for all ages! More information can be found HERE.
Hull-O-Ween: A Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat
3605 Thomas Dr | Panama City Beach
October 30, 2025, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Kick off Halloween with a family-friendly Hull-O-Ween celebration on October 31! Kids can trick-or-treat safely from boat to boat in their favorite costumes, making for a fun and memorable pre-Halloween adventure on the water. Register HERE.
Hallo-wine Spooktacular
Duplin Winery | Panama City Beach
October 30, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween with Duplin Winery for an evening of festive treats, seasonal drinks, and playful thrills. Guests can enjoy appetizers like Burgundy chili, mummy dogs, candy corn pizza bites, and ghostly fudge desserts, plus two drink tickets featuring the seasonal Hot Autumn Toddy. Costume contests, games, live entertainment, and a haunted photo booth make this a spooktacular night for all! Purchase your tickets HERE.
Haunted Halloween Cruise
St Andrews State Park | Panama City Beach
October 31, 2025, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Set sail for a Halloween-themed adventure on the water this October 31! The Haunted Cruise offers eerie views, festive treats, and family-friendly fun. Adults 21+ receive a complimentary glass of wine or beer, everyone enjoys green caramel popcorn, and prizes are awarded for the best costumes—so dress to impress and make it Instagram-worthy. Tickets are $48.95 for adults, $42.95 for seniors, and $28.95 for kids. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
