Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Panama City Beach

Join us in celebrating the new year on the beach! Panama City Beach is best know for its sun and sand, but the after dark experiences can be just as grand! This year, ring in 2024 with the New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop in the streets of Pier Park. Located just a minute walk from the SkyWheel, its the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Panama City Beach.
Pier Park will be closed off for all to enjoy live music, entertainment, and an amazing firework show! And the best part is, you don’t have to wait until midnight to celebrate the new year. With two separate beach ball drops – one at 8:00 p.m. and another at midnight, its a party all night long! A large glowing beach ball will be lowered to begin the new year – just like you’re in the Big Apple!
SkyWheel All Access Pass Deal and Midnight Flights
Stay close to all the New Year’s Eve action and have a wristband for UNLIMITED SkyWheel flights AND rounds of mini-golf from all day and evening from 11am to 11:30pm for just $24! This deal is only available on 12/31/23 and is just for that day only.
If you want the best seat in the house to watch the ball drop, you can reserve one of 10 gondolas, including our VIP gondola, to be at the top at midnight. The regular Midnight Flight includes up to 6 tickets to ride the wheel during the midnight ball drop, a drink (bottled soda or beer) for each guest and group photo package for $150 total.
If you want to be at the very top during the ball drop in our glass bottom VIP gondola, you can purchase the Midnight VIP package. This includes up to 4 VIP tickets to ride, 41 bottled drink per guest and a photo package for one price of $200 total.
Both midnight flight packages will start boarding at 11:30am and the ride will stop at the top as we get close to midnight in preparation to watch the ball drop.
Where The Party Starts
Pier Park just got better. The fun starts with live music at 5:35 p.m., then it’s time to count down the New Year at midnight with a full-on street festival that’s all about celebrating new beginnings, friends and family. In addition to all the great shopping, dining and family fun you expect, this year’s event offers new experiences you won’t want to miss out on. This includes some free live music from Barry Fish Band!
Kids’ Beach Ball Drop
Midnight can be a late for some kids – that’s why the first ball drop will be at 8pm! Crowds will make their way to S. Pier Park Drive to count down. As the city enters the “new year”. thousands of beach balls will rain down in celebration! This interaction is perfect who the younger kids who may have that very important bedtime to get to, but it may be hard to sleep with the first round of amazing fireworks that begin just after. The mixture of beach balls and twinkling lights make this a sight to see.
More Live Music
There is fun to be had all night long, including some free live music to spruce up the evening. The main stage will be occupied by The Will Thompson Band at 8:15pm. This will be followed by the Great Grand Finale at 10pm.
Beach Ball Drop from Celebration Tower
Celebration Tower is the only place to ring in the New Year with confetti and fireworks you overlook the beautiful sands of Panama City Beach. As midnight approaches, Celebration tower will light up with one of the world’s largest beach balls! It is one of the most unique traditions you can find anywhere in Florida. You’ll feel the same nostalgic feeling of standing in Manhattan as the ball drops, just without Frank Sinatra to ring in 2024.
As the final ten-second countdown ends, a giant beach ball descends from Celebration Tower. It’s also the cue for a second round of fireworks launched from the end of Russell-Fields Pier, to begin igniting above Panama City Beach. It is surely a sight to behold with the perfect Beachy backdrop to ring is a great New Year!
New Year’s Eve with SkyWheel
Take in the New Year from the sky! Now that you know how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Panama City Beach, its time to book your ride on the SkyWheel! Enjoy the views from the top of our observation wheel for a full day of fun. Contact us today to see how we can help you!