October in Panama City: Fright Nights downtown from Oct. 15, a free Fire Department open house Oct. 16, free trees Oct. 17 and Spooky Science Oct. 24.

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. Rebuilt on the first of each month. Sources: the City of Panama City’s event calendar, Bay County, Gulf Coast State College, the Science and Discovery Center and Visit Panama City’s events calendar. Confirm with the organizer before you go.

Updated Oct. 14: Hurricane Isaias has passed and the rest of October’s events stand. Added Spooky Science, the college’s free recital and the weekend and arts pages.

October’s main run starts this week, with Fright Nights downtown from Thursday, Oct. 15. After Hurricane Isaias, the city’s calendar for the rest of the month was unchanged when we checked, apart from one committee meeting moved to Oct. 28. The Downtown Marina boat ramp and T-Dock stay closed until further notice, the city’s storm update says, and trash pickup is running behind while crews clear storm debris. For this Friday to Sunday, see things to do this weekend; for galleries, theater and concerts, see arts and exhibitions this month.

Who to call

  • City events and recreation: Parks, Culture and Recreation, through City Hall at 850-872-3000
  • Fright Nights: Bay Arts Alliance, 850-640-3670
  • Event alerts: text PanamaCity to 38276, or sign up for Notify Me

This week and next

State of the City Address and Open House: Thursday, Oct. 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m., City Hall Rotunda, 501 Harrison Ave. The city will give updates on operations, the fiscal 2027 budget and major projects, then residents can meet staff from each department. Details.

Panama City Fire Department Open House: Friday, Oct. 16, 5 to 9 p.m., Fire Station 2, 2003 Beck Ave. Free food and drinks, a live fire demonstration, kids’ activities and an agility course. New this year: a costume contest for kids 14 and under, judged by the fire chief at 7 p.m. The event was moved here from Oct. 2 because of rain. Details.

Tree Giveaway: Saturday, Oct. 17, 8 to 11 a.m., Millville Waterfront Park, 301 Maple Ave. Up to two free trees per household for Bay County residents, while supplies last. It is the last of six giveaways this year, paid for by a $1 million grant to replace the tree canopy lost in Hurricane Michael. You can print the registration form ahead of time from the event page.

Waste Amnesty Days: Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Steelfield Road Landfill. Free drop-off of yard debris, junk and household hazardous waste for Bay County residents, with proof of residency, according to Bay County. More on our trash and recycling guide.

Fright Nights downtown

Oct. 15-17 and Oct. 22-25, 6 to 9 p.m., historic downtown Panama City, based at the Panama City Center for the Arts, 19 E. Fourth St. The Bay Arts Alliance’s Halloween event mixes scares, art and downtown history. Tickets are $20 to $40, and proceeds support the alliance’s “Art on Every Corner” program, according to Visit Panama City. Tickets are sold through the Fright Nights site.

For kids and families

  • Spooky Sweets Cookie Workshop: Thursday, Oct. 22, 4 to 5:30 p.m., MLK Jr. Recreation Center, 705 E. 14th Ct. Bake and decorate Halloween cookies to take home. Ages 8 and up, $5. Details.
  • Spooky Science: Saturday, Oct. 24, Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, 308 Airport Road. The children’s museum’s Halloween day; it has not yet posted times or prices. Museum site.
  • Friends of Camp Helen State Park Pumpkin Patch, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Oct. 31, Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach. Florida State Parks.
  • K. Play and Learn, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., MLK Jr. Recreation Center.
  • Ignite STEM on Oct. 15 and FSU Ascent STEM on Oct. 20 at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center are both fully booked, the city says.

Arts and music

  • This Is Not a Pipe, Jamie Zimcheck’s sculpture and new media show, Oct. 16 to Nov. 7 at Gulf Coast State College’s Amelia Center Gallery; free opening reception 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
  • Faculty and Friends Music Recital: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, Amelia Center Theatre, Gulf Coast State College. Free. College schedule.
  • More in arts and exhibitions this month.

Fitness and seniors

The city’s recreation calendar runs every week:

  • Sunset Yoga, Thursdays at 6 p.m., Oaks by the Bay Park, 2715 W. 10th St.
  • Zumba, Mondays at 5:30 p.m., MLK Jr. Recreation Center
  • Line dancing (Fridays at 1 p.m.), Stretching for Seniors (Tuesdays at 9 a.m.) and Card Club at the senior center, 722 E. Ninth Ct.
  • 55+ Club, Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., 320 N. Kraft Ave.

Coming in November

  • Touch-a-Truck: Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Carl Gray Park, Collegiate Drive. Free; kids can climb on fire trucks, police vehicles, garbage trucks and more, the city says.
  • Panama City Songwriters Festival: Nov. 6-7, historic downtown Panama City.
  • Public Eye Soar: Nov. 6-7, Gulf Coast State College. Free.
  • Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11. Bay County’s parade time for 2026 is not out yet; see Veterans Day in Panama City.
  • Panama City Ballet’s Nutcracker: Dec. 11-13, with free previews at the library Nov. 14; see Nutcracker and holiday shows.

Public meetings

  • City Commission virtual workshop: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. City listing.
  • City Commission: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, Bay County Government Center, 840 W. 11th St. City listing.
  • Special Event Handbook Committee: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, City Hall, Room 010, moved from Oct. 7 because of storm preparations.

The big annual events, each on its own page: the Panama City Songwriters Festival and Public Eye Soar (both Nov. 6-7), the Boat Parade of Lights (Dec. 12), the St. Andrews Mardi Gras (Jan. 29-30, 2027) and the FLLUXE Arts Festival (March 5-7, 2027).

Related: trick-or-treat hours, fall festivals and pumpkin patches, parks and trails, things to do this weekend and arts and exhibitions this month.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Panama City in October 2026?

Highlights include the State of the City address Oct. 15, the free Panama City Fire Department Open House Oct. 16, a free tree giveaway at Millville Waterfront Park Oct. 17 and Fright Nights in historic downtown on seven nights from Oct. 15 to 25.

When is Fright Nights in Panama City?

Oct. 15-17 and Oct. 22-25, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m., in historic downtown Panama City. Tickets are $20 to $40, and proceeds support the Bay Arts Alliance.

Are there free events in Panama City this month?

Yes. The Fire Department Open House on Oct. 16, with a costume contest for kids 14 and under, and the tree giveaway on Oct. 17 are free. The State of the City open house is open to the public.

Are Panama City events still on after Hurricane Isaias?

Yes. The city’s calendar for the rest of October was unchanged when we checked on Oct. 14, apart from one committee meeting moved to Oct. 28, and Fright Nights still lists Oct. 15-17 and 22-25. The Downtown Marina boat ramp and T-Dock remain closed until further notice.