Countdown to New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop & Celebration at Pier Park

Momentum is building for the highly anticipated New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park on Thursday, December 31 in Panama City Beach, Fla. Pier Park welcomes residents and visitors to one of the Southeast’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations featuring a giant glowing beach ball and dramatic fireworks over the Gulf of Mexico. This free event is open to the public and offers an unforgettable night filled with family-friendly activities and live entertainment on the Emerald Coast.

The Pier Park Beach Ball Drop, sponsored by Visit Panama City Beach, is an annual Panama City Beach tradition drawing record crowds each year.

“Pier Park’s Beach Ball Drop continues to grow, bringing residents and tourists together to celebrate the New Year in a beautiful, festive atmosphere,” said Michael Kerrigan, Pier Park’s director of marketing. “The Beach Ball Drop showcases the best of Panama City Beach, families and fun on the Gulf Coast’s most stunning beaches. What better way to welcome 2016?”

The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a Family Celebration on Pier Park Drive. The enhanced Kid’s Zone, newly-located at South Pier Park Drive, will offer face painting, stilt walkers, costumed characters and more! At 5:30 p.m., The Barry Fish Band takes the stage playing fun music from the ‘80s and ‘90s. At 7:30 p.m., Pier Park’s brand-new laser light show will illuminate Pier Park Drive as revelers await the kid-centric countdown to 8 p.m.

At 8 p.m., the Family Beach Ball Drop kicks off with 10,000 beach balls released onto Pier Park Drive, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. At 8:15 p.m., the Countdown Celebration continues with live music by rock band American Tread. At 10 p.m., Celebrity All-Stars take the stage for a dynamic live performance leading up to midnight.

The evening concludes with Pier Park’s show-stopping Beach Ball Drop at midnight featuring an 800-pound glowing beach ball and a dramatic fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico.
 

Celebrity AllStar Band returns to Pier Park New Year's Eve Ball Drop Dec. 31

Thursday, December 31 | Pier Park Beach Ball Drop and Celebration
5:30 p.m. Family Celebration
5:30 p.m. Barry Fish Band Performs (Main Stage)
7:30 p.m. Laser Light Show Begins (Pier Park Drive)
8 p.m. Family Beach Ball Drop & Fireworks over Pier Park Drive
8:15 p.m.  American Tread Performs (Main Stage)
10:00 p.m.  Celebrity AllStar Band Performs (Main Stage)
Midnight New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop and Fireworks
 

Pier Park Ball Drop | photo courtesy Visit Panama City Beach

During New Year’s Eve day and into the night, Pier Park will provide great shopping and dining options with the entire property open until 10 p.m. and select stores along Pier Park’s Boardwalk remaining open later. Popular dining options like Dave & Buster’s, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House and Rum Runners Tropical Island Grill will also be open during the evening.

Stay and shop on January 1, 2016! Pier Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more details, visit www.shoppierpark.com, find us on Twitter & Instagram @PierPark, and on Facebook @ShopPierPark.
 

Pier Park is located on beautiful Panama City Beach with a perfect setting on the Gulf of Mexico. The premier open-air shopping destination features more than 125 retail and dining choices. This one-of-a-kind beachfront family-friendly attraction with resort style, island-inspired architecture features a variety of popular stores, including Dillard’s, JCPenney, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Target, Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Old Navy, LOFT and more. Shoppers enjoy numerous eateries and entertainment options like Dave & Buster’s, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, Rum Runners Tropical Island Grill, Tootsie’s, Shoney’s, Red Robin and Five Guys Burgers and Fries, as well as The Grand IMAX Theatre. Pier Park is located at 600 Pier Park Drive in Panama City Beach. For more information on Pier Park, call (850) 236-9979 or visit www.simon.com/mall/pier-park. 

Follow Pier Park on Facebook, Twitter @PierPark and Instagram @PierPark.
 

Pier Park New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop | photo courtesy Visit Panama City Beach