New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop is at Pier Park in Panama City Beach on Thu., Dec. 31.
| When | Thu., Dec. 31 |
|---|---|
| Where | Pier Park, Panama City Beach |
About Pier Park
Pier Park in Panama City Beach is an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex on Front Beach Road with 124 stores, a range of restaurants, a movie theater, arcade and golf venues, and the PCB Wheel, a 200-foot observation wheel. It suits families, shoppers, and visitors who want an evening out near the Gulf. Visit Panama City Beach does not list hours or general admission prices for the complex, so check before you go; Visit PCB listed Pier Park as open when it was checked on October 15, 2026.
How do you get to Pier Park?
Pier Park is located along Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach, according to Visit Panama City Beach. Russel-Fields City Pier is directly across the street from the complex.
The Visit Panama City Beach pages do not describe parking options, so check before you go.
What can you do at Pier Park?
Pier Park's stores include anchor department stores Target, Dillard's and JCPenney, plus Old Navy and American Eagle Outfitters, along with boutiques. Dining ranges from quick bites such as Auntie Anne's, Starbucks and Smoothie King to sit-down options such as LongHorn Steakhouse, Margaritaville, Ford's Garage, Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, and Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House.
Entertainment at Pier Park includes The Grand Pier Park by Santikos movie theater, the Emerald Coast Mirror Maze & Laser Craze, Dave & Buster's, TopGolf, and the PCB Wheel, which the site describes as an iconic 200-foot-tall observation wheel with views of the Gulf Coast. The site also mentions laser tag, arcade games and live music.
What events happen at Pier Park?
Pier Park hosts festivals, live music, seasonal celebrations and family-friendly events throughout the year, according to Visit Panama City Beach. The events page lists the Mardi Gras & Music Festival on the weekend before Fat Tuesday, the Star Spangled Spectacular Independence Day fireworks, the Pirates of the High Seas Fest during Columbus Day weekend, the Optimist Club Christmas Parade, and the New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop.
The events page does not give dates for each year. Check before you go, because event dates and schedules can change from year to year.
Is there an admission fee or set hours at Pier Park?
The Visit Panama City Beach pages do not list general hours or admission prices for Pier Park's shops, restaurants and attractions. Individual venues such as the movie theater and attractions may charge separately, and the pages do not say what they cost.
The events page states that admission is free to the New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park. Check before you go for current hours and prices.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop?
- At Pier Park, Panama City Beach, FL.