Public Eye Soar, the free light and projection art festival, is Nov. 6-7, 2026, 6 to 10 p.m. both nights at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Dates, times and the program come from Public Eye Soar, the volunteer nonprofit that runs the festival. Destination Panama City’s events calendar lists the same dates and venue. This page is updated each year at the same address.

Public Eye Soar is Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m. both nights on the Gulf Coast State College campus in Panama City. It is free. For two nights each November the campus buildings become screens for projection art from local artists and from around the world, with live performers, short films and hands-on activities in between. 2026 is the 13th festival.

Know before you go

  • When: Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 6 to 10 p.m.
  • Where: Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. U.S. Highway 98, Panama City
  • Cost: free, all ages
  • Map: posted on the organizer’s map page a few days before the show
  • Questions: Public Eye Soar, 850-769-6996, publiceyesoar@gmail.com

What you will see

The organizer’s about page lists the program:

  • Local and international projection art
  • Short films, animation and photography
  • Live performance
  • Interactive activities, doodlers and sand art

Since the first festival in 2014, artists from more than 45 countries and territories have shown work at Soar, according to the organizers and Destination Panama City.

Veterans Honor Wall. Both nights, the festival projects photos and short descriptions of veterans sent in by families. Submissions for 2026 are closed.

Soar Awards. Visitors vote for their favorite artist from 6 to 10 p.m. on both nights, using the voting link on the map page.

Who runs it

Public Eye Soar Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered with the State of Florida to solicit contributions. It is run by a small group of volunteers who started the festival because they wanted to go to one like it, and it is paid for by donations and sponsors. Gulf Coast State College, Bay Arts Alliance, Destination Panama City and the City of Panama City are among the 2025 sponsors listed on the festival’s site. Donations go through Venmo or PayPal from the map page.

Getting there and parking

Gulf Coast State College’s main campus is at 5230 W. U.S. Highway 98. The festival does not publish a parking plan; the downloadable map posted a few days before the show is the place to check which campus lots are open. Bayway, the county bus system, is on our getting around page.

What to know

  • Weather: no rain date is published. Check the festival’s Facebook page on the day.
  • Same weekend: the Panama City Songwriters Festival fills downtown venues on the same two nights; see our Songwriters Festival guide.
  • Coming from out of town: the festival’s home page links to its official lodging partner’s booking page.

More this season: fall festivals, free things to do and things to do in Panama City.

Frequently asked questions

When is Public Eye Soar in 2026?

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m. both nights on the Gulf Coast State College campus in Panama City.

Is Public Eye Soar free?

Yes. Organizers call the festival their free gift to the community. It runs on volunteers and donations and is open to all ages.

Where is Public Eye Soar held?

On the main campus of Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. U.S. Highway 98, Panama City. A downloadable festival map goes up on the organizer’s site a few days before the show.

What is Public Eye Soar?

A projection festival of light, sound and art: local and international projection art, short films, animation, photography, live performance, sand art and interactive activities. Artists from more than 45 countries and territories have taken part since 2014.