Halloween is Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. Panama City sets no official trick-or-treat hours; here are the city's Halloween events, Fright Nights and safety links.
Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. This page is updated each year. Sources: the City of Panama City’s event calendar and news page, the Panama City Police Department’s website and Destination Panama City’s Fright Nights listing.
Halloween is Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. The City of Panama City had not posted official trick-or-treat hours for 2026 when we checked its website, calendar and news page and the Police Department’s site. If the city or the police department announces hours, we will add them here.
Updated Oct. 14: still no official hours; Fright Nights and the city’s October events stand after Hurricane Isaias.
Who to call
- Emergency: 911
- Panama City Police Department dispatch (non-emergency): 850-872-3112
- City events: City Hall, 850-872-3000
- Event alerts: text PanamaCity to 38276
Hurricane Isaias passed through Bay County on Oct. 9-10. The city’s event calendar for the rest of October was unchanged when we checked on Oct. 14, and the Bay Arts Alliance still lists Fright Nights for Oct. 15-17 and 22-25. The city’s storm updates say trash and debris pickup will run behind for a couple of weeks.
Halloween events in Panama City
Panama City Fire Department Open House and costume contest: Friday, Oct. 16, 5 to 9 p.m., Fire Station 2, 2003 Beck Ave. Free. Kids 14 and under can come in costume; the fire chief judges the contest at 7 p.m. There is also free food, a live fire demonstration and kids’ activities. Details.
Fright Nights: 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; proceeds support the alliance. Call 850-640-3670. Details.
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.
October at a glance
| Date | Event | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | Fright Nights opens, 6 to 9 p.m. | Historic downtown | $20 to $40 |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Fire Department Open House and costume contest, 5 to 9 p.m. | Fire Station 2, 2003 Beck Ave. | Free |
| Saturday, Oct. 17 | Free tree giveaway, 8 to 11 a.m. | Millville Waterfront Park | Free |
| Thursday, Oct. 22 | Spooky Sweets Cookie Workshop, 4 to 5:30 p.m. | MLK Jr. Recreation Center | $5 |
| Oct. 22-25 | Fright Nights, second weekend, 6 to 9 p.m. | Historic downtown | $20 to $40 |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | Halloween | Neighborhoods |
For more October events, see our things to do this month guide, and for festivals into November, fall festivals and pumpkin patches.
Trunk-or-treats
Ascension Sacred Heart Bay’s free Trucks and Treats, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at 615 N. Bonita Ave., is the one posted on the visitor calendar; details are on our Halloween events page. No church or school trunk-or-treats in Panama City had been posted on official calendars for 2026 when we checked. We will list them here as organizers announce them. Hosting one in Panama City? Send the date, time, address and any cost to hello@panamacitydaily.com and we will list it.
Before you go
- Check the sex offender registry. The city links the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender and predator search from its public safety pages; you can search by address.
- Report anything suspicious to police dispatch at 850-872-3112, or 911 in an emergency.
What this means for you
- Halloween is a Saturday this year, Oct. 31.
- No official hours have been set; follow your neighborhood’s custom.
- For an organized option, Fright Nights and the Fire Department open house come earlier in the month.
Related: Halloween events in Panama City, things to do this month, fall festivals and pumpkin patches and hurricane prep.
Frequently asked questions
What are the trick-or-treat hours in Panama City in 2026?
The City of Panama City had not posted official trick-or-treat hours when we checked on Oct. 14, 2026. Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31. We will update this page if the city or police department announces hours.
Are there Halloween events in Panama City in 2026?
Yes. Fright Nights runs in historic downtown Oct. 15-17 and 22-25, 6 to 9 p.m. The Fire Department’s free open house on Oct. 16 has a costume contest for kids 14 and under, and the MLK Jr. Recreation Center holds a Halloween cookie workshop Oct. 22.
How do I check for registered sex offenders before trick-or-treating?
Search by address on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender and predator registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us, which the city links from its public safety pages.
Who do I call about suspicious activity on Halloween in Panama City?
Call 911 for an emergency. For non-emergencies, the Panama City Police Department dispatch number is 850-872-3112.
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