Good morning, Panama City.

Panama City is set to light up December with festive events—on Dec.

5, residents can enjoy the Millville Christmas Parade and a downtown tree lighting ceremony; on Dec. 6, a Downtown Christmas Parade will take place; and on Dec. 13, a toy giveaway at Oakland Terrace Park and the 39th Annual Boat Parade of Lights with a drone show will add to the holiday spirit. City offices will be closed Dec. 24–25 and Jan. 1 for the Christmas holiday.

Arena Comics in Panama City kicked off the Magical Christmas Toy Drive by collecting toys at Walmart to support the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County — donations are accepted at WMBB News 13, Arena Comics, Hanks Fine Furniture and other local drop-off locations to help ensure children get gifts this Christmas.

The 36th Annual Bill 'H.' Haisten Christmas Tree Lot will open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except on Thanksgiving at 2312 West 23 Street across from Bill Cramer Chevrolet GMC, and it will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County by supporting afterschool and summer programs for children.

Panama City Walk-N-Roll and United Way of Northwest Florida donated $15,000 for a wheelchair-accessible swing at Oakland Terrace Park—marking a milestone in inclusive play for local residents.

Today, the Emerald Coast Christmas Bazaar opens at Captain Anderson’s Event Center at 9:00 a.m. and will run until Sunday at 3:00 p.m.—benefiting Rooms with a Purpose—offering a three-day holiday shopping event for local residents.

Bay County saw many new businesses open this year in 2025—restaurants, attractions, and retail outlets like Dolly Parton Pirates Voyage Dinner Show and TopGolf did so, while others closed such as World Marine Park and Tap.

The Black Pearl, a 97-foot pirate ship built for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, was sunk Thursday morning six nautical miles southwest of St. Andrews Pass to serve as a new artificial reef near Panama City Beach—offering a dive site with pirate-themed features for divers starting tomorrow. The reef project was completed in partnership with Haney Technical College and local dive operators.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management plans to open a large area of the Eastern Gulf for offshore drilling — a move that extends lease sale regions nearly 100 miles offshore with opportunities set for 2029 and 2030.

Local officials and environmental groups have raised concerns over risks to military training and coastal ecosystems — urging citizens to join the 60-day public comment period from Nov. 24 to Jan. 24.

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay has introduced the Ion robot—an advanced tool that uses CT scans to make a GPS-like map of patients’ lungs to find small nodules for quick biopsies and faster treatment.

Doctors say this minimally invasive procedure helps diagnose lung cancer sooner and recommend screening for patients aged 50 to 80 who smoke or have smoked.

Sugar is a sweet two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier—available for adoption at the Bay County Animal Shelter at 6401 Bay Line Drive in Panama City.

Interested adopters can call 850 767 3333 for more details.

3rd Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk

8-10 a.m. — Gulf Coast State College — Registration fee applies — Participate in a festive run/walk to kickstart your Thanksgiving celebrations.

Beach Home For The Holidays

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Aaron Bessant Park — Free entry — Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with festivities as Santa Claus comes to town.

Jingle Bell Express

5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. — Destination Panama City — Check website for prices — Experience the magical ride connecting Downtown Panama City & St. Andrews in a festive holiday atmosphere.

2025 Panama City Christmas Parade

6 PM — Historic Downtown Panama City — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday season with a festive parade featuring community floats and holiday cheer.

The Nutcracker by Panama City Ballet

7-9 p.m. — Arnold High School — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical journey through dance with the enchanting tale of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker.

39th Annual Boat Parade of Lights

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Destination Panama City — Free entry — Enjoy a magical holiday boat parade illuminating St. Andrews Bay with festive lights and decorations.