Panama City Beach kicked off the festive season in heartwarming style on November 28, 2025, as families and visitors gathered at Aaron Bessant Park for the annual Beach Home for the Holidays celebration. The beloved event once again transformed the park into a coastal winter wonderland, blending classic holiday traditions with the relaxed charm of the beach.
Throughout the evening, families posed for cheerful photos beneath twinkling lights, capturing memories against the backdrop of towering Christmas décor and the Gulf breeze. One family after another gathered near the illuminated walkways, enjoying the opportunity to preserve moments of togetherness that define the start of the holiday season.
S’mores were a popular attraction, as always. Volunteers smiling and bundled in festive attire posed for photos of their own before helping guests roast marshmallows over open flames. Children and adults alike delighted in crafting their gooey creations, the scent of toasted marshmallows drifting through the cool night air.
Nearby, lines formed for one of the event’s most anticipated traditions: a visit with Santa Claus. Young children eagerly awaited their turns, many receiving comforting encouragement from parents and siblings. For some, it was a moment of excitement; for others, a mixture of awe and shyness. But for all, it was a treasured holiday rite of passage.
Entertainment around the park kept visitors engaged and smiling. A balloon artist drew crowds of curious kids as he shaped colorful animals with astonishing speed and precision. Wide-eyed children proudly carried away their new balloon companions as they continued exploring the festivities.
As dusk deepened, a serene scene emerged overhead the moon rising gracefully above the park’s towering Christmas tree. The glowing moonlit sky added a magical touch to the gathering, creating a perfect backdrop for the evening’s culminating activity: an outdoor movie under the stars.
Families settled onto blankets and chairs as “The Santa Clause” lit up the large outdoor screen. Laughter and soft conversation filled the air while a woman near the front watched intently, completely absorbed in the classic holiday film.
From cozy treats to starry skies, from Santa visits to shared laughter, Beach Home for the Holidays once again captured the spirit of the season. The event offered a blend of community warmth and festive fun reminding everyone that sometimes the best way to welcome the holidays is together, by the beach, under a glowing Florida moon.