39th Annual Panama City Boat Parade of Lights Dazzles Thousands, Huge Success!

The 39th Annual Panama City Boat Parade of Lights transformed St. Andrews Bay into a luminous holiday spectacle on Saturday, December 13, 2025 with 40 decorative boats.

 

Thousands gathered along the shoreline to witness the procession of festively decorated boats, each adorned with twinkling lights and creative themes.

 

SPOTLIGHT SHOUT OUT goes to the little boy standing next to me. He yelled MERRY CHRISTMAS!  to all 40 boats as the boats floated by. He was the winner for the best Christmas spirit. I believe Santa will bring him lots of presents for Christmas!

 

The parade commenced at the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club at 5:30 PM, journeying westward past Historic Downtown Panama City, the Panama City Marina, West Beach Drive, the St. Andrews Marina, Historic St. Andrews, and concluding near the Hathaway Bridge around 7:30 PM.

 

Adding to the evening's enchantment, a mesmerizing drone show lit up the sky after the boat parade. Over 100 drones performed a synchronized display above the west side of the Panama City Marina T-dock, captivating attendees with intricate formations and festive imagery.

 

The Little Villages at the Panama City, open from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, offered seasonal treats, unique gifts, family-friendly activities, and a special visit from Santa Claus.

 

Local vendors and musicians contributed to the festive atmosphere, making it a memorable evening for all ages. There were a few different area where kids were playing an having fun.

 

Santa rode in on his express train and kids were able to sit on his lap and take photos and tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.

 

For the 39th Annual Panama City Boat Parade of Lights  the celebrity judges were local figures: Allan Branch (City of Panama City), Gina Littleton (United Way), Jayson Kretzer (Bay Arts Alliance), Jim Hamilton (Marinas), and Tess Connell (92.5 WPAP), emceed by Will Cramer, not major national celebrities, but local community leaders and media personalities. 

 

Attendees were encouraged to vote online for their favorite vessel, with prizes awarded to the most creative and festive displays.

 

The event was made possible through the collaboration of Destination Panama City, the City of Panama City, Bay Arts Alliance, and generous support from local sponsors.

 

As the holiday season continues, Panama City remains a hub of festive activities, with upcoming events like the and the Jingle Bell Express Dec 19th and 20th and DayTime PlayTime with Santa Fri Dec 19, starting at 9:30 AM located at Coastal Xtreme Athletics, 2011 Lisenby Avenue, Panama City, FL offering more opportunities for community celebration.

.

Like and Follow us on Facebook

And to see more Parade of Boats videos

https://www.facebook.com/PanamaCitySpotlight