Visit Panama City Beach invites visitors and residents to ring in the New Year at the annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop presented by Coca-Cola on December 31. Named the “Best New Year’s Eve Drop” by USA TODAY 10Best, the celebration promises fun for all ages with live music, fireworks, and exciting new additions that extend beyond Pier Park, offering attendees more space to spread out and enjoy the festivities. New for 2024, there will be two simultaneous 8:00 p.m. beach ball drops at Pier Park Drive and Aaron Bessant Park. Throughout the evening, families can also enjoy free kids’ activities at Aaron Bessant Park.
“One of Panama City Beach’s most anticipated events, New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop brings together families, residents, and visitors for an unforgettable celebration,” says Dan Rowe, President and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “With a fantastic lineup of live entertainment, exciting ball drops, and family fun at Aaron Bessant Park, we’re thrilled to offer the most kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration you’ll find anywhere.”
New this year, the Kids FUN Zone at Aaron Bessant Park invites families to kick off the festivities at 4 p.m., with a variety of free activities including slides, obstacle courses, bungee trampolines, friendship bracelet stations, and video games. At the Aaron Bessant Park stage, kids and adults alike can enjoy live performances by Saved by the 90s and Taylor Shines – The Laser Spectacular. A captivating, high-energy show that has enchanted audiences across the country, Taylor Shines – The Laser Spectacular features a mesmerizing combination of Taylor Swift’s chart-topping hits with vibrant laser displays and stunning light effects. This one-of-a-kind performance takes fans on a dazzling journey through Taylor’s iconic music career, creating an unforgettable, immersive experience for Swifties of all ages.
Throughout the night, the streets in and around Pier Park are closed off to traffic so thousands of revelers can delight in free entertainment and good cheer. At 8 p.m., families with young children or those too excited to wait until midnight can experience the first ball drops of the evening at Aaron Bessant Park and Pier Park Drive, featuring dazzling fireworks and the release of 15,000 beach balls between the two locations.
On the way to midnight, live music continues at Pier Park with performances by The Life Atlantic and Will Thompson Band, as revelers anticipate the countdown to 2025 and the lowering of a giant LED-lit beach ball on Panama City Beach’s Celebration Tower. Standing over 80 feet tall, this tower is ten feet taller than the pole on One Times Square in Manhattan and can be seen from Russell-Fields Pier, where the second round of fireworks will be launched over the Gulf of Mexico to signal the New Year.
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop | Tuesday, December 31, 2024
- Kids Beach Ball Drop Event Begins at 4 p.m. (Aaron Bessant Park)
- Pier Park Event Begins, DJ performs at Celebration Stage Tower Stage at 4 p.m. (Pier Park Drive)
- Saved by the 90’s performs at 4:30 p.m. (Aaron Bessant Park Stage)
- Taylor Shines – The Laser Spectacular Performs at 6:30 p.m. (Aaron Bessant Park Stage)
- DJ Performs Near Ball Drop at Pier Park at 7 p.m. (Croc Stage)
- Kids’ Beach Ball Drop and Fireworks at 8 p.m. (Aaron Bessant Park and Pier Park Drive)
- The Life Atlantic Performs at 8:20 p.m. (Celebration Tower Stage)
- Will Thompson Band Performs at 10 p.m. (Celebration Tower Stage)
- Countdown Begins at 11:57 p.m. (Pier Park Drive)
- Fireworks at Midnight (Russell-Fields Pier)
