PANAMA CITY BEACH — Panama City Beach may be more sand than snow during the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of festivities.
Pier Park will kick things off at 3 p.m. Saturday, as Santa Claus is welcomed not to his workshop, but to his beach house in the Town Center between Shoney’s and Fusion Spa and Salon.
The day will continue with a Christmas tree lighting celebration from 4:30- 6 p.m. Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst will light the 20-foot tree at dusk in the parking lot near Shoney’s and carolers and other activities will help ring in the holiday season.
Those who miss out on Saturday’s events will have another opportunity Monday to attend a Panama City Beach tree lighting tradition that has spanned more than three decades.
The 34th annual Panama City Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Frank Brown Park will take place Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., featuring a presentation from Mayor Oberst, awards for local essay contest winners, music from local school groups, an appearance from Santa and refreshments provided by local churches and civic groups.
On Dec. 14, the annual Optimist Club Christmas Parade will return to Pier Park, with more than 200 units expected to participate.
The parade begins at 4 p.m. and will route south down Powell Adams Road, west on Front Beach Road, up Pier Park Drive and finish behind Target.
The Optimist Club is currently collecting entries for the parade, which are required to present a Christmas theme using decorations and/or music. Interested parties can obtain an entry form by visiting http://www.pcboptimist.com/Events.html or by calling 233-2089.
